The celebration began with a whole series of activities that had already begun during the week, under the banner of games, the Salesian Olympics, and the presence of many sports and other associations in the area that wished to be part of the network of life set up by the Sons of Don Bosco. For the occasion, the Archdiocese of Ancona-Osimo also decided to pay significant tribute to the Salesians' social action by electing the Salesian courtyard, frequented by youngsters from more than 101 nations, as the venue for the diocesan vigil for migrants.
The general programme included the opening ceremony of the festivities on Wednesday, 2 October, followed by games in the courtyard, sports of various disciplines and types (including the disabled), art workshops, a youth dinner and Eucharistic adoration.
On Thursday 3 October, in addition to the play and recreational workshops, with the participation of the State Police and Fire Brigade, a round table took place in the afternoon, led by the Socio-cultural Youth Club "Dorico", on the theme "125: the roots and new seeds", with the projection of a short film by Davide Vassallo whose protagonist is Tarik, a young man who did his Civil Service in the Oratory. The event was attended by various civil and Third Sector authorities.
On Friday, 4 October, however, after games in the oratory and a performance by the city's football team, SSC Ancona, the Diocesan Vigil for Migrants took place, with the presence of Archbishop Angelo Spina, and a time of reflection and prayer on the challenges of migration. The evening was accompanied by an ethnic dinner, to taste dishes from different cultures, and a youth show themed 'The Dream of Nine Years', inspired by Don Bosco's vision of 1824.
"Our oratory has become a home that welcomes and embraces young people regardless of their culture or religion of origin, and has offered everyone a family experience," said Fr Giampiero De Nardi, director of the Salesian community in Ancona. "We wanted to share these three days of celebration and beauty and to reopen the doors of the oratory to the heart of our community, offering young people the chance to discover new horizons, to live experiences they would not otherwise have encountered, and to grow together, through sport, friendship and commitment.
The last act of the celebration took place on Sunday, 6 October, with the Eucharistic Celebration presided over by Fr Martoglio, who also handed over the mandate to all pastoral workers during the celebration. During the celebration, also with reference to the liturgy of the day, the value of the family was emphasized, and the role that the Christian community can play in being 'family for those who have no family'. "In the oratory there is the love of God that waits, welcomes, listens and embraces. There young people are awaited by his love. There they find life and hope," it was recalled.
That is why the Rector Major's Vicar's invitation to all present was to live "a year of service, to make many young people aware that they are loved".
The foundation stone of the Salesian work was laid in Ancona in 1899, when the city was beginning to extend towards the railway station. Then located in the open countryside, it now stands in the centre of one of the city's most multi-ethnic neighbourhoods. Today, the oratory welcomes more than 600 children and young people, looked after by 120 volunteers, who take turns in teaching and training activities, five priests and a coadjutor.
