Rome, Italy - October 2024 - As per tradition, the Lazio Federation of Past Pupils began the new social year with a Pilgrimage to the Shrine of the Virgin of Revelation, at the Tre Fonatane Grotto  in Rome. Some thirty Past Pupils attended and listened first to a brief presentation of the history of the Shrine, and then prayed the Rosary and participated in the Mass celebrated by the Delegate, Fr Maurizio Palomba, SDB. The Lazio Federation currently consists of 13 Unions, 7 of which are in the city of Rome. Each Union is present in structures with different characteristics: schools, parishes, oratories. Three Unions continue their activities in structures that no longer have the presence of Salesians. The strength of the Past Pupils is above all that of maintaining the traditional initiatives in memory of Don Bosco: handing out chestnuts to the youth at the oratory at the beginning of November; a sandwich on Immaculate Conception Day and Don Bosco Day; and the annual convention with all the members. Whenever possible, they interact with the Salesian community to help with food and clothing collections for the most needy, or assist in the oratory, tutor students, guard and help out in churches in need of vigilance or a welcoming service. At the end of the meeting, they returned to their facilities, to resume their activities, giving everyone a date for 2025.