What was then a dormitory for apprentices is now a home for professional training and social rehabilitation which houses about 400 young people, jointly managed by the Salesians and by the diocesan Caritas. It is the Mother House of the Salesians and represents the original cell of Salesian work in Germany.
About 1,000 people are expected at the celebration in Würzburg from all the communities in Germany: members of the Salesian Family, friends, supporters, partners in cooperation, co-workers and especially many young people, to celebrate together in a family atmosphere. "These days we remember with gratitude the Salesian history in our country, which has been marked by so many people who have dedicated themselves with all their strength to hundreds of thousands of young people. And we want to draw new strength from the festivities to work in the spirit of Don Bosco today, strengthening us to carry on the work of Don Bosco to a bright future," says Fr Josef Grünner, SDB, Superior of the German Province.
The climax of the festivities in the Schottenanger area will be a solemn Mass on Sunday 5 June in the Cathedral of St Killian in Würzburg. The celebration will be presided over by the Rector Major, Fr Ángel Fernández Artime, who will arrive from Rome and celebrate the whole weekend with the German Salesian Family.
The programme includes: Friday 3 June - a ceremony at which the Salesian Cardinal Óscar Andrés Rodríguez Maradiaga, Archbishop of Tegucigalpa, Honduras, will speak about the relevance of Don Bosco's work with young people today. Saturday 4 June - a big party for families, again in the Schottenanger area, with meetings and fun, interactive activities and a boat trip on the River Main.
All information on the anniversary of the Salesians and the German Province festival programme are available at: www.donbosco.de/100jahre
