Rome, Italy - June 24, 2020 - The name day of Saint John Bosco occurs on June 24. Yesterday, continuing an ongoing tradition of 150 years, the Salesian Community thanked the Rector Major, the Successor of Don Bosco, Fr Ángel Fernández Artime. For Salesians at the Generalate, the Central Office, 24 June is also the day on which significant anniversaries of priestly ordination or religious profession are celebrated. Thus, this year, because of the 150th anniversary of the gift of Carlo Gastini and the first Past Pupils to Don Bosco, a set of coffee cups was also delivered to the Rector Major.

Rome, Italy - On 2 May 1959 the Basilica of San Giovanni Bosco was solemnly consecrated by Cardinal Benedetto Aloisi Masella. The following day Pope John XXIII came to visit it. He began to pray in front of the remains of Don Bosco, which had arrived from Turin for the occasion. Behind the high altar there is the large mosaic made up of 15 million tiles, which reproduce the theme of the Glory of St John Bosco. The Basilica not only houses the large mosaic, but also an infinity of other works of art, by artists such as Marcello Avenali, Tommaso Bertolino, Lorenzo Gigotti, Emilio Notte and Baccio Bacci.

Turin, Italy - May 2020 - In 1854 Don Bosco announced to his boys that cholera would arrive in Turin and would unleash chaos; and yet, he added: “But you must remain calm, if you do what I say, you will be free from danger... Live in the grace of God; bring a medal of the Blessed Virgin, pray...” After 166 years, in similar circumstances, the Help of Christians continues to accompany and protect us and always remains at our side.