After the restoration of the Salesian work in Raknovik, which has taken some years, now finished is the renovation of the interior of the sanctuary carried out in neo-Gothic style. Work on this began in 1905 and lasted until 1924. The consecration took place on 8 September that year, attended by thousands of faithful and pilgrims, including the first Salesian cardinal, John Cagliero.
Some interesting features of this church: the conclusion of the construction of the church was followed up by Fr Ignazio Stuchly, the first Czech Salesian, now Venerable. At the time he was the Economer of the Salesian community in Rakovnik. In those days, young Salesians and novices from the Radna community came to help prepare for the consecration, including a young Andrej Majcen, who later became a great missionary in China and Vietnam. He ended his earthly life in the shadow of the shrine in 1999. He too is now on his way to the altars, and is recognised by the Church as a Servant of God.
The physical renewal of the work in Raknovik has also been accompanied by the spiritual renewal of the educative and pastoral community behind it: a whole series of spiritual, cultural and social events are taking place from 16 to 25 May 2024 around the shrine and the Salesian parish, with prayers, meetings, conversations, musical and recreational events open to all. This is the so-called "mission week" to strengthen and show the joy, faith and devotion in Christ and Mary which involves lay parishioners and members of the Salesian Family.
The culmination of the celebrations is expected on Saturday 25 May, in the presence of Cardinal Ángel Fernández Artime, Rector Major of the Salesians.
The motto of the feast day will be "O Mary Help of Christians, you have been there and you will be there" and will involve bishops, priests, religious, faithful and young people. There will be many reasons not to miss the event: Eucharistic celebrations are planned, the blessing of the restorations and renovations of the shrine, the conclusion of the year of spiritual renewal of the parish, the installation of the new Superior of the Saints Cyril and Methodius Province of Slovenia (SLO), Fr Peter Končan, and the blessing of the new statue of St John Bosco, the first large original statue in Slovenia that presents Don Bosco with a young man and a young woman, the famous dog "Grigio" and a ball. It is a gift of the Salesians and the Salesian Family to the community of Rakovnik Ljubljana as a sign of gratitude for having implanted the Salesian charism in Slovenia.
After the liturgical celebration, in the afternoon the celebration will continue with a moment of fraternity, and a program of fun activities for all participants; and in the evening the 10th Successor of Don Bosco will still have the opportunity to meet with the Salesians of the SLO Province.
