PHOTO ARCHIVES
Aleppo, Syria - The Dies Natalis of the Servant of God Matilde Salem, the Mamma Margherita of the children of Aleppo, was commemorated this past February 27. In this old photograph, Matilde is portrayed together with one of the young people welcomed into the "Georges Salem Foundation", the project desired by her late husband, Georges Elias Salem, and which she continued, entrusting it to the Salesians. The Sons of Don Bosco, together with the young people of Aleppo, became a family for Matilde. In all those years, there was no charitable institution in which she was not involved as a supporter.
Lisbon, Portugal - On the day when the traditional "Shrove Tuesday" is celebrated, we publish an ancient image, shared by the Salesians of Portugal, in which carnival celebrations are immortalized. In the photograph, taken at the "Oficinas de São José" institute in Lisbon, you can see several smiling masked young people in a moment of celebration and conviviality.
Zagreb, Croatia - 1970 - This old picture, dating back to April 15, 1970, depicts a group of Salesians in front of the church of Mary Help of Christians in Zagreb. Two years later than this snapshot, the Croatian Salesian Province "St John Bosco" was officially established, and on January 24, on the occasion of the Feast Day of St. Francis de Sales, it celebrated the 50th anniversary of its foundation.
Turin, Italy - 1922 - The Michele Rua Salesian Oratory celebrates its first 100 years this year. It was in fact 1922 when Fr Lunati opened the doors of this oratory, which soon became a place of worship and play that welcomed many children, children of the many migrations that have colored the face of the neighborhood. Even today, like 100 years ago, the oratory welcomes many young people, all of whom are part of the large community of Michele Rua.