Before a large congregation, the Archbishop expressed his joy at celebrating Mass with his people, on the day when Don Bosco was born to heaven. “The feast of St John Bosco,” Archbishop Nosiglia said in his homily, “reminds us of a father who has always shown love and appreciation, especially for young prisoners and detainees. And for us he is a true and sincere friend, who protects us from heaven and gives us hope so that we can face the future without fear."
The archbishop of Turin also defined Don Bosco as the Saint of Mercy, because he was concerned about all the young people who needed support, love and paternal affection. "The feast of Don Bosco is a source of joy,” said Archbishop Nosiglia, “but it also makes us feel protected and accompanied by this great saint of abandoned youth. It is Don Bosco who invites us to trust in the Lord."
The Eucharist at which Archbishop Nosiglia presided was concelebrated by fifty other priests - including the Vicar of the Rector Major, Fr Francesco Cereda - in front of thousands of faithful who filled the whole Basilica of Mary Help of Christians.
Before the Mass, the Archbishop also visited the "Ferrante Aporti" juvenile detention centre in Turin and on that occasion he reminded the young inmates of the message that Jesus speaks to them today: "I do not condemn you; courage, pick up strength and regain power. Believe in yourself and in the positive resources you have inside your heart; go 'and sin no more."
Yesterday afternoon Fr Cereda presided over a Mass in the Basilica of Mary Help of Christians, as the Rector Major, Fr Á.F. Artime, had this year decided to spend the feast of Don Bosco in "another Valdocco", in Sierra Leone, as a reminder that "wherever there is a young person, Don Bosco is there."
