The Rector Major arrived at the Livorno Central Station at 1:03 pm on Saturday, warmly welcomed by all the young people from Civico79, the Livorno oratory aimed at young university students and workers. After initially spending time with the local Salesian community he boarded a boat, passing through what they call the “trenches” – the canals that cross the city – that took him to the Fortezza Vecchia (Old Fortress), where he was welcomed by a multitude of children, young people, adults and elderly, and Livorno authorities. He was met by a dance performance organised by young people from the Salesian oratory.

Bishop Simone Giusti, the Bishop of Livorno, did the honours and offered words of profound praise to the Sons of Don Bosco. For the bishop it was a case of “salt flavours everything in the kitchen. The Salesians in Livorno are able to make what the Church offers palatable.” He added, “They have been able to lead the Livorno people in the right direction, which is not always easy: this has been demonstrated over their one hundred and twenty-five years in this area.”

Another beautiful testimony came from the Councillor for Cooperation and Peace from Livorno, Barbara Bonciani. Speaking of the festivity of the occasion, she said that she found “the sense of community that I already felt when I was young and was with the Salesians. Everyone feels at home within this community.”

The words accompanying the Saturday afternoon event were: “The happiness of young people, from Livorno to the whole world”, given that the the Livorno community has focused its pastoral reflection for its anniversary year on the theme of happiness.

This is why the Rector Major was then asked some questions about happiness by the presenters – a boy from the oratory, a boy scout, and a teacher at the Mary Help of Christians schools. Fr Á.F. Artime spoke simply so that children could understand, but in a such a profound way that the adults could also reflect. He said, “Happiness is a path that each of us must discover. There is no pre-defined pattern of happiness; it depends on God’s education, and on faith. We are happy when we love.” He continued, “Happiness is felt in your heart and the truth appears when you don't think about it”, because I don't need to philosophise about happiness with youngsters; simple gestures are enough.”

The Rector Major also spoke about young people, who were in the forefront of the day's events. He advised the parents present to make sure that all was well with their children, to always ask them how they felt. The 10th Successor of Don Bosco dedicated his final address precisely to young people: “The greatest drama we have, in Italy as well as in Spain, is that we prepare our children excellently, but we do not create work for them. We can no longer let them go, we have to help them find their way.”

In the evening the Rector Major dined with the young people from the Livorno Oratory in a warm and familiar atmosphere, and then attended “125 and a night” at the Salesian Theatre and Cinema, where youngsters from the theatre, choir, art and guitar courses performed, together with some Ukrainian young people who had arrived after the outbreak of the war, and who have learned Italian at the Salesian Oratory.

On Sunday the 28th, the Rector Major visited the two houses belonging to the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians (FMA) in Livorno – the  Holy Spirit and Mary Help of Christians” communities. At 11 a.m. he presided at the Mass at the Sacred Heart Salesian parish, which was concelebrated by the Superior of the Central Italy Circumscription (ICC), Fr Stefano Aspettati, the parish priest, Fr Simone Calvano, and attended by a crowd of young people, families and the local Salesian Family.

This was followed by the community lunch prepared and served by young people from the FMA Vocational Training Centre in Livorno. It ,too, took place in an atmosphere of great harmony and conviviality with the Rector Major, who was constantly available to them all.

The afternoon continued with activities planned as part of the Festival, including photos with the Rector Major, and games for groups of children and older youth. It all took place in an atmosphere reminiscent of both home and oratory.

Everyone really felt the presence of Don Bosco over the two days and experienced the sense of happiness that all Salesians have wanted for young people from Don Bosco: happiness to be experienced “now and in eternity”.

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