January 31st, in the Dominican Republic, has been instituted by law (Law 20/93), in honour of Don Bosco, as the National Youth Day. And it is precisely in the Capital of the Dominican Republic, Santo Domingo, that the Rector Major will spend the feast of Don Bosco: in the morning the encounter with the Provincial Council of the Antilles (ANT), in the afternoon with the most celebrative acts – the encounter with the youth and the solemn Eucharist that will be celebrated at the Salesian parish “Saint John Bosco”.
On the following day Fr. Á.F. Artime – who throughout the journey will be accompanied by his Secretary, Fr. Horacio López – will reach the Salesian Agronomic and Technical Institute (IATESA) of La Vega, then Moca, to celebrate the Eucharist with the Salesian Family.
On Thursday 2nd, after a visit to the house of Jarabacoa, the Rector Major will reach Porto Rico, where he will stay for about 24 hours, meeting the Salesians, the Salesian Family and the youth of the country.
From Friday evening 3rd, the Rector Major will be in Cuba. On Saturday 4th he will be in the Havana for meetings with the Salesians, the Mass with the Salesian Family and an artistic-cultural event.
Finally, on Sunday 5th, in the presence of the local ecclesiastical authorities, there will be the concluding Mass of the Animation Visit, on the occasion of the centenary of Salesian presence.