Happy New Year to all you and your loved ones!
This year, 2020, the Past Pupils and Friends of Don Bosco is celebrating the 150th anniversary when Don Bosco met with some of his former Oratory young people and asked them to unite to support each other and the Salesian mission with young people.
When Don Bosco was explaining to his young people on the meaning of his educational system, he explained that it all about “happiness in this life and the next”. In the beginning of this special anniversary year, we wish you that your hearts are filled with the Salesian joy and happiness throughout the coming year.
I wish to remind you of my letter of the 24th June 2019 where the World Confederation of Past Pupils of Don Bosco is inviting all National Federations, together with local associations and Past Pupils and Friends of Don Bosco, to “prepare and celebrate” this special anniversary. Michal Hort, President of the World Confederation has declared the year 2020 as a Jubilee Year for Past Pupils and Friends of Don Bosco and he states that the aim of this year is “to reflect the past, to enjoy the present and to plan for future challenges.”
We will have various occasions to mark this special occasion during this coming year. We wish to inform you that on the 25th January 2020, His Grace the Archbishop Charles J. Scicluna will official open the new Alberto Marvelli Residence in Paola. This social project in partnership with the Order of Malta and Osanna Pia Home is aimed at helping and mentoring young people who require support to have their own home. We wish to thank all the people who have helped us through these two years to refurbish the home and be able to offer a service for young people most in need.
On the 2nd February 2020, we will meet together to celebrate the feast of our founder St. John Bosco. More information will be shared in the coming days on this special celebration.
We look forward to see you all in the coming year to celebrate our 150th anniversary!
The letter, sent to Past Pupils and Friends of Don Bosco, may be downloaded from here.