The theme that animated this special edition was ‘A decade on the streets’, gratefully remembering the journey made, those who started the initiative and all the people who joined in, enriching it to make it what it is today. Paz Meana, who was part of the team that carried out ‘Patio Bosco’ 2026, shared her joy after this very special edition: ‘I experienced it with a lot of love, accompanying where necessary. This service allowed me to visit the oratories and see how each Animator was able to become that friend Jesus, always present and unconditional. I am very grateful to be part of this story and of my beloved Domingo y Laura community.’
As is the case every year, the first few days were dedicated in particular to the leaders who met and got to know each other and formed groups for each oratory. Moments of formation and reflection were shared, as well as Masses in honour of Laura Vicuña and St Francis de Sales. From the 26th to the 30th, activities were held with the oratories, with games, educational spaces, catechesis and shared snacks. Upon returning from each oratory, the young people continued with various proposals for integration, evaluation and planning.
On 30 January, as is traditional, Mary Help of Christians visited the oratories. This year, this event was streamed live from ‘Patio Bosco’, available on the YouTube channel @PatioBoscoCtes, where the leaders looked back on the last 10 years and shared testimonies and anecdotes.
Before the feast of Don Bosco, the Salesian ‘Faremo Metá’ band entertained the participants of ‘Patio Bosco’ with their songs, as they had done in 2016, 2017, 2019 and 2020.
The experience also left its mark on a personal and formative level. Francisco Balmaceda summarised what he experienced during these days: ‘Patio Bosco was a very enriching experience for my formation, not only as an animator but also as a person.’ In this regard he emphasised how ‘Patio Bosco’ helps to bring faith into everyday life: ‘It is an experience that has helped me to find and transmit Christ in everyday life.’ He concluded with gratitude for an initiative that, year after year, renews the heart: ‘I thank God for allowing me to live this experience that, year after year, nourishes me and makes me more human.’
The ARN province expresses its gratitude for these days spent together and for the commitment of every Leader and Volunteer who made this tenth edition possible. ‘May Mary Help of Christians and Don Bosco continue to accompany us on this journey,’ they write, ‘so that the courtyard may continue to be a home for many boys, girls and young people.’
