The neighbourhood, at the time, was in a semi-peripheral position and this allowed the establishment of a vast and welcoming complex where hundreds of Salesians and young people would be formed – from Fr Edmundo Vecchi, 8th Successor of Don Bosco, to Cardinals such as Joseph Zen and Tarcisio Bertone, from University Rectors to Superiors of Salesian Provinces, and including many missionaries and simple Sons of Don Bosco dedicated to serving young people in every corner of the world.

"La Crocetta" assumed such importance for the Major Superiors – through with their own frequent presence, and through visits from numerous bishops, Italian and foreign cardinals and personalities of Catholic laity – that it was considered the second Salesian work after Valdocco.

“Don Bosco had in mind a formation centre for future Salesians, and I think today he would be happy to know that this centre is still very much alive. At 100 years of age we say that she might seem to be ‘an old lady’, but here there is always youth " said the current Rector Fr Marek Chrzan, on the occasion of the centenary.

A youth that, on the contrary, has grown over time: because other than the Salesians in formation who go there to prepare for the ministry, studying theological subjects and living at the same time in contact with society and the world, young people who live and animate the oratory have been added, as well as residents in the university college.

The house, moreover, has been known for being international since its inception: in past years – when the number of Salesian students was greater – it welcomed students from 40 different countries, and still today is a crossroads of cultures and traditions.

The result today is a centre that sees young people from all backgrounds and bearers of the most diverse experiences, but all united in a multicultural imprint held together by the charism of Don Bosco.

The Crocetta's history, moreover, is also linked to an important figure of holiness in the Salesian Family, Fr Titus Zeman, not surprisingly remembered as a "martyr of vocations". Father Zeman organised expeditions to Turin to allow the young Salesians of his country to complete their theological studies there. "Under the communist regime he clandestinely accompanied the confreres because he wanted them to study in the cradle of the Salesian charism. Two expeditions went well, the third ended badly, and he gave his life for these confreres", says Fr Peter Stellmach, a Slovak Salesian, former student of the Crocetta and today the community's vice-rector. "Studying here, in my opinion, also means remembering the martyrdom and blood of Fr Titus Zeman."

On the occasion of the centenary of the canonical erection, on 8 September, the Salesian community, the oratory's leaders, the boys and their families celebrated the anniversary with a solemn Mass. The day also served to mark the official conclusion of the"Estate Ragazzi 2023", an event that saw hundreds of young people, not only from the neighbourhood, attracted by an educational proposal that even after 100 years is still a winner.

And that's not all: because the calendar of celebrations, which began last January on the occasion of the feast of Don Bosco, still includes two other appointments: on 28 October, a study day proposed by the Theological Faculty at Crocetta on the theme: "‘Together‘: for missionary proclamation"; and on 8 December, the feast of the Immaculate Conception and the date of birth of the Salesian oratory, the final day together with the Rector Major, Fr Ángel Fernández Artime.

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