It was a wonderful opportunity for the participants to immerse themselves at the epicentre of the Congregation with guided visits to Chieri and Becchi under the able guidance of Fr. Michael Pace.  The entire day provided ample moments to discover a little more about the life of Don Bosco and the beginning of his priestly life, as well as to understand all the difficulties that the saint of young people went through to realise the dream that he had at the age of nine.

Visit to Chieri

The visit began at the Church of San Domenico, where Don Bosco celebrated his third Mass. The visit helped everyone to perceive the  difficulties that John Bosco had to go through at Chieri, as he arrived there in that city to continue his studies. For someone who had always lived in the countryside, arriving in a city of 9,000 inhabitants was truly impressive.  Bosco was lodged in the house of a widow named Lucia Matta, a fellow citizen of the family.

Later, in order to save some more money, Don Bosco worked at the Caffe Pianta, where he also slept and studied under a tiny, dark stairway. For those taking part in the international meeting of the Salesian Bulletin, it was truly moving to be able to visit this emblematic place. At that time John Bosco did not know what direction to take in his life, but despite the difficulties he did not give up.  On entering the seminary at Chieri - which the participants were also able to visit - Don Bosco made good friends, including Louis Comollo, who always accompanied him, right to the end of his days.

During the visit to the seminary, there was an exhibition on the life of Don Bosco at Chieri, where he was a student, tailor, coffee boy, shoemaker, jumper, founder of youth groups and seminarian. The visit to Chieri ended at the college of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians (FMA) where it was possible to see the table where Don Bosco worked.

Visit to the Becchi

The second part of this visit was to Colle Don Bosco which allowed one to truly immerse oneself in the dream that gave birth to the Salesian Congregation.

During the visit to the Becchi house, the participants were able to get to know a little better the childhood of Don Bosco, and his humble beginnings.  In a humble house, which was in the care of Mother Margaret, Don Bosco had the dream that changed his whole life. "Become humble, strong and robust", a lady as bright as the sun told him, "what you see happen to these wolves that become lambs, you will do to my children. I will be your teacher. In time you will understand everything". This was the anticipation of an extraordinary educational and pastoral vocation that allows us to say today that we are part of this great Family.

Still at Colle Don Bosco, the participants were able to take part in the Eucharist that took place in Temple of Don Bosco, presided by Fr. Gildasio Mendes, the General Councillor for Social Communication. Young, dreamy and thirsty for answers, little John knew he needed good advice to help him realise his dream. He sought it from his friends, his teachers, the priests who accompanied him, and later the seminary formators.

If at Becchi Don Bosco learned the foundations of his faith with the help of Mamma Margherita, at Chieri he built up his human and Christian personality, and the years he spent there were very important for him and for the development of his faith.

Undoubtedly, it was a memorable and unforgettable visit for all the participants of the international meeting of Salesian Bulletin, and it recharged them fully with Salesian energy as they returned back to their countries carrying within their hearts that renewed zeal for Don Bosco and the Salesian Mission. 

Patricia Madeira

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