"The Salesian Oratory opened in S. Cataldo in Sicily on 8 December (the Salesians had arrived two days earlier), from the first day it welcomed 250 young people, splendid proof of the expectation and enthusiasm with which that new foundation was awaited and greeted.
It was convenient that the official opening was celebrated with a special ceremony. This took place on the afternoon of 18 January, with an address by the Prefect of the City of Caltanisetta, the Quaestor, the Deputy Prefect, the Royal Commissioner and the Notaries of the Municipality, the Vicar Foraneo Canon Cammarata, Canon Pagano, President of the Workers' Fund, and of the entire Administration, Clergy with the Parish priests and a large crowd of people.
It was an impressive ceremony: and on that day the number of youngsters rose to more than 500.
In the morning, Bishop Jacono, diocesan Bishop, celebrated Mass for them and more than 250 received Holy Communion.
May God bless the new centre of youth formation with precious fruits of religious and moral elevation."
These words are from the "Bollettino Salesiano" of March 1925.
Exactly one hundred years later, therefore, the significant anniversary was celebrated with joy and gratitude. In the presence of Bishop Antonino Migliore, Bishop emeritus of Coxim, in Brazil, the Provincial of the Salesians in Sicily, Fr Giovanni D’Andrea, several Salesians and priests from the local clergy, some Daughters of Mary Help of Christians, the Mayor of the city, Gioacchino Comparato, and several councillors, Bishop Mario Russotto, Bishop of Caltanissetta - like the Bishop a hundred years ago, Bishop Iacono - presided at the solemn rite, proclaiming the prayer of dedication followed by the evocative explanatory rites of the anointing of the altar and the walls of the Church, incensation and lighting of candles.
The touching moving rite ended with the signing of the "Acts of Dedication" and with the unveiling of a marble plaque in perpetual memory of the consecration.
This significant event is also part of the extensive program of celebrations for the celebration of the centenary of the Salesian presence in San Cataldo, "to relaunch more and more" as Bishop Russotto stressed during the homily "the significance and charism of Don Bosco in this beloved city of San Cataldo, which is truly Salesian".
"In this first century of history," Bishop continued, "the presence of the charism of Don Bosco was a grace, a wealth for the city of San Cataldo which gave many, many vocations, not only to the Salesians of Don Bosco, but also to the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians; that is, it gave so many young people, men and women, to the service of God in the one Church. And it is a joy, for me, to see Salesians from San Cataldo among the Salesians present. It is a joy because this city deserves many more, and needs the charism of Don Bosco."
Together with the incense burned on the altar, the prayers of all those present went up to the Lord, so that all citizens can continue to "look at the past with gratitude, live the present with passion, embrace the future with hope."
Luciano Arcarese
