(ANS – Rome) – From Thursday April 26th, the Mother House of Turin Valdocco will welcome those taking part in the World Congress of the Confederation of the Past Pupils of Don Bosco.  This event concludes the celebrations for the first centenary of the association and opens a new epoch.

More than 400 past pupils and Salesians, from 22 nations, are expected. The official inauguration will take place on Friday 27 April with the greetings of the authorities, the address of the World President, Dr. Francesco Muceo, and a “Lectio Magistralis” from  Professor Fr. Cosimo Semeraro, SDB, former lecturer in the Faculty of Theology of the Pontifical Salesian University of Rome, and Secretary of the Pontifical Committee of Historical Sciences of the Holy See. The lecture will be entitled: “Blessed Philip Rinaldi and the World Confederation of the Past Pupils of Don Bosco”.

The following day, April 28, will be passed in the native places of Don Bosco and will be concluded in Colle Don Bosco with the celebration of Mass. On the last day, Sunday 29th, the programme will include an address by the Rector Major of the Salesians, Fr. Pascual Chávez , entitled: “The Past Pupil of Don Bosco today and commitment to society and to the Church”. Holy Mass will be celebrated in the Basilica of Mary Help of Christians and a votive lamp for the altar of Don Bosco will be handed over on behalf of the World Presidency.

The congress will be held in Turin and the native places of Don Bosco. It will be attended by the Rector Major of the Salesian Congregation, Fr. Pascual Chávez, his Vicar Fr. Adriano Bregolin, and the Provincial of Piedmont, Fr. Stefano Martoglio, and also by the representative of the Past Pupil priests, Mons. Francesco Giovanni Brugnaro, Archbishop of Camerino-San Severino Marche.

The Association has over 83,000 members and has a long tradition in terms of events: 4 International Congresses, 11 Latin-American, 10 European and 9 Asiatic-Australian.

The Congress was sponsored by  Schneider Electric spa, a multinational of energy, with which the  Confederation has recently established a partnership, and has had the patronage of the  Piedmont Region, of the Province and of the City of Turin.

Published 24/04/2012