Welcomed by the Mayor Andrea Zirilli, by the Rector of the Salesian house Fr Pasquale Rondinelli, families and young people, with some dances and songs, the Cardinal then went to the Municipality, where the Administration officially conferred Honorary Citizenship on him, an honour already awarded to him by the previous Administration. "His visit represents a historic and significant moment for all of us, an opportunity to strengthen the spiritual and community ties that unite us," said the Mayor of the city on the occasion.

In the evening the celebration continued in the courtyard at the oratory, with the viewing of a video summarising the 125 years of the Salesians in Bova Marina, a missionary outpost strongly desired by Fr Rua to uplift the religious and cultural level of a poor but generous people.
 Then, the dialogue between Card. Fernández Artime and the young people about his vocation and his service as Rector Major, a flash mob and fraternal agape then concluded the first day.

Saturday, 3 August  Card. Fernández Artime went to Bova, to the places of the Servant of God Bishop Cognata, the founder of one of the groups of the Salesian Family: the Congregation of the Salesian Oblates of the Sacred Heart. There, too, he was welcomed by the Mayor of Santo Casile and Bishop Leone Stelitano.

Then, emotions and memories accompanied the visit to the San Leo Shrine and the Co-Cathedral of Bova, the see where Bishop Cognata carried out his Episcopal Ministry from 1933 to 1939. The 10th Successor of Don Bosco, in the book reserved for visitors to the ancient city of Bova, wrote in his own hand a message dedicated to the community: "With great joy I leave my memory and gratitude for the beautiful welcome received on this day in Bova. May God continue to bless you as a city, as a Christian community, as a community and as families. Truly Bova is beautiful. With affection."

Mass was celebrated in the afternoon on the picturesque Bova promontory, presided over by the Rector Major and enriched by the presence of the Archbishop of the Diocese of Reggio Calabria-Bova, Archbisop Fortunato Morrone. Then, the procession to the sea of the painting depicting Mary as "Stella Maris", with the blessing of the sailors, concluded the visit of the Salesian Cardinal to the City of Bova Marina.

On Sunday, 4 August, the unveliing of a commemorative plaque and the celebration of the festive Mass, again presided over by the Cardinal, gave the journey of the Rector Major a worthy conclusion.

"The presence of the 10th Successor of Don Bosco was truly a fraternal gift for the Bova community and for the Southern Salesian Province" the IME Social Communication Office said. "He has repeatedly reiterated that Calabria must not only be a starting point, as it has historically been for migrants in search of more fortunate destinies, but must return to being a point of return for the young generations, a place on which to bet for a better future. A great recognition has also been paid to the many local Past Pupils who have spent themselves with generosity and gratitude to make these days so special, like children around a father."

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