The day began with a prayer in the church of San Giuseppe Maggiore, where Don Bosco celebrated his only Mass in the South of Italy on 30 March 1880. Then the Rector Major reached the "Peace Totem" near the port and visited the tomb of the "Unknown Migrant" where Pope Francis had visited on 21 March 2015.
Two young migrants, Abdul and Alamin, gave very touching testimonies. "We risked our lives,” Abdul said, “but God protected us." Alamin, who had previously been hosted at the Salesian community of Mamma Matilde but is now resident in the Salesian House of Torre Annunziata, said: " During the crossing from Libya to Italy, I saw with my own fearful, frightened eyes and I was afraid that this journey of hope would turn into a death journey (...). The life that I am building now is due to Don Bosco and the Salesians."
Soon after began the visit to the "Peace Museum - MAMT", with the inauguration of the space on the ground floor dedicated to "Don Bosco and the young". Then there was the press conference with the screening of the video "Don Bosco, the power of love", the inauguration of the Don Bosco Hall, and finally the blessing of the DON BOSCO Chapel with the relic of the Saint of Youth.
In the course of the long day, the Rector Major pointed out that the real stars of the event were young people: "for us, the young people are always an opportunity, not a problem (...). Being here today means opening more doors of the Church and the Salesians for young people around the world, especially for those who are migrants."
There was significant participation throughout the day of many young guests who are being accommodated in various Salesian communities: "The Dream" (Naples), "Mamma Matilde " (Torre Annunziata), "Pinardi House" (Caserta), and the first reception centre known as "The Bridge" at a Salesian House in Naples.
