Pavia, Italy - November 2017 – The 120 years of the Salesian presence in Pavia were celebrated in recent days. Sent by Fr Michele Rua, the first Successor of Don Bosco, it was exactly on October 21, 1897, when the first Salesians took possession of the Sanctuary of Santa Maria delle Grazie. Current celebrations commenced on Saturday, October 21, with the First Vespers presided by the Bishop of Pavia, Msgr Corrado Sanguineti, and animated by the Corale of Oliva Gessi, birthplace of St. Luigi Versiglia, SDB. The following morning, Mass was presided by Mgr Mario Toso, SDB, Bishop of Faenza-Modigliana, and concelebrated by the Salesians of the house and other priests related to the house. Other events are planned to celebrate the anniversary, including a publication on Salesian history in the Pavia area and a recital being drafted by the young people of the Salesian house.