(ANS - Rome) - The influence of St. Francis de Sales on Don Bosco was also manifested in the Youth Saint's great passion for communication. He expressed it with the means of his times, but in all its forms, developing it from beginning to end: from the elaboration of texts to their printing and dissemination. All and always to spread the Good News and work in the service of youth.

(ANS - Rome) - Among the oldest films on the life of St. John Bosco is Goffredo Alessandrini's 1935 work entitled "Don Bosco." Starring Gian Paolo Rosmino as the Saint of the Young, and with Maria Vincenza Stiffi as Mamma Margherita, the film narrates the life of Don Bosco, from his birth to his canonization in 1934. Also appearing in the film are: Roberto Pasetti, Ferdinando Mayer, Vittorio Vaser, and Felice Minotti.

(ANS - Rome) - "We are children of a dreamer" is an expression often used by his successors to refer to the Founder of the Salesian Congregation and Family. And this is not only because of his ability to see far beyond his contemporaries, foreshadowing developments and realities that would be openly manifested only much later; but also because of that mystical ability of his to have as it were "supernatural visions" capable of directing his own path and that of those who followed him.

(ANS - Rome) - Don Bosco's great appeal and his charisma have captivated millions of people around the world. His figure has permeated and still permeates the work of a great many artists who have traced his profile, drawn his portrait, making it even more universal through various forms of art; and cinematography has certainly played an important role by bringing the Saint of the Young closer to the general public.

(ANS - Rome) - In January, which culminates with the feast day of Don Bosco, it is a tradition in all Salesian houses and throughout the Salesian Family to approach the celebration of the Father and Teacher of Youth through various paths of preparation: from the more traditional and spiritual ones, such as the Novena of Don Bosco, to the more creative ones, which involve young people in the most diverse playful or artistic activities, with tournaments and festivals of all kinds. ANS, the Salesian news agency, also intends to make its contribution to this global animation movement in honor of Don Bosco by publishing various in-depth articles about him in the coming days.

(ANS - Rome) - On Dec. 8, the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of Mary, the Salesians also celebrate the beginning of their educational and pastoral work under the leadership of Don Bosco. On that day in 1841, in fact, the founder of the Salesians met Bartolomeo Garelli in the sacristy of the church of St. Francis of Assisi in Turin: a meeting that marked the beginning of the Pious Society of St. Francis de Sales, founded on a deep devotion to the Virgin Mary and on a pedagogy aimed at taking the neediest minors off the street, under the banner of the indications that Don Bosco himself received in the 9-Year-Old Dream: "Not with blows, but with kindness and charity."