The documentary’s preview
The documentary’s director, Tommaso Liguori, a former Salesian pupil and editor-in-chief of “Sky Sport”, introduced the film to those present. During the event, the Minister for Sport and Youth, Andrea Abodi, the Editor-in-Chief of Sky Sport, Federico Ferri, and the President of the Milano Cortina 2026 Foundation, Giovanni Malagò, an individual member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), also spoke via video link.
Numerous figures took to the stage: Ciro Bisogno, President of PGS and Coordinator of CONI’s Sports Promotion Bodies; Sister Mara Tagliaferri, President of CIOFS; Sister Nilza Fátima de Moraes, General Councillor for formation of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians (FMA); Fr Francesco Preite, SDB, President of “Salesians for Social APS” and National Representative of the National Centre for Salesian Works for the PGS; Fr Francesco Motto, SDB, member of the Association of Salesian History Scholars (ACSSA); and other figures.
For the occasion, Fr Fabio Attard, Rector Major of the Salesian Congregation, also sent a message of greeting in which he highlighted some crucial aspects and underlying themes touched upon in the interviews and the historical reconstruction: “For Don Bosco, the question of recreation in the courtyard – today we would say sport – was fundamental as a space for convergence and also for belonging; we consider it as such throughout the world. Sport is an opportunity for encounter that breaks down barriers and differences, fostering fraternity and collaboration.”
The Rector Major continued, we must “view sport not merely as a pastime, something that passes the time, but as a journey that educates in solidarity and in the acceptance of one’s duty and participation, of all that a young person has and can share. We hope that all the sports and educational organisations involved in this field can foster those partnerships and shared experiences in which young people can find a place, especially the poorest who lack the means to experience these things, so that sport may become an opportunity for everyone”.
After conveying the greetings of the FMA Superior General, Mother Chiara Cazzuola, in Brazil during a visit to the BRE and BAP provinces, in her brief address, Sister de Moraes highlighted certain charismatic aspects linked to the educational significance of sport: “Don Bosco developed the oratory experience (…) a place capable of responding to the needs of young people: the need for affection, friendship, joy, an active life, community, participation, trust, and cultural and professional growth.”
“For this reason,” she continued, “even today, every educational choice, every activity and every sporting discipline can contribute to the integral growth of the women and men of tomorrow, helping young people to develop responsibility, team spirit, respect and solidarity.”
The documentary
“Don Bosco. The Saint of Youth and Sport” – airing from Saturday 21 March at 10.45 pm on Sky Sport Uno, and also available to stream on “NOW” and on demand – is a collective narrative told through the voices of those who have taken up the saint’s spiritual legacy, set amongst the oratories where his movement was born and developed, and who found in the Salesian missions the most effective means of spreading his teachings throughout the world. It is a journey through parishes and sports fields where the value of sport means inclusion, connection and personal growth.
The narrative is entrusted to those who have experienced these environments and continue to experience them first-hand every day, transforming the game into an opportunity for encounter and personal enrichment. There are numerous and authoritative testimonies that enrich the narrative journey, starting with Cardinal José Tolentino de Mendonça, Prefect of the Dicastery for Culture and Education in Vatican City, who in one of the passages of the audiovisual piece states: “Sport makes us passionate; it makes us fall in love with something. Behind a boy running and a ball moving forward lies the insight of a great educator. Don Bosco’s work is prophetic in a way that makes him a great teacher for our times.”
The documentary also features the most authoritative voices from the Salesian world, represented by the Rector Major, Fr Attard, and the FMA Mother General, Mother Chiara Cazzuola, accompanied by contributions from Sr Francesca Scibetta, FMA National Coordinator for the PGS, and Fr Francesco Preite, President of Salesians for Social and SDB National Coordinator for the PGS; as well as Prof. Fr. Motto, who traced the history of Don Bosco and the reasons that led him to make oratories and sport the centre of his entire pastoral work.
Finally, numerous Past Pupils of the Salesians took the floor. Among them were the President of the Italian Basketball Federation, Gianni Petrucci, and the President of the PGS, Ciro Bisogno, together with the former Head Coach of the Men’s National Volleyball Team and current Member of Parliament, Mauro Berruto, and the former Head Coach of the National Basketball Team, Meo Sacchetti, as well as journalist Francesco Giorgino. Rounding off the picture are the voices of coaches and athletes from yesterday and today, including Watford footballer Edoardo Bove and Valerio Vermiglio, the Olympic silver medallist in volleyball at Athens 2004.
https://www.infoans.org/en/sections/news/item/27398-italy-don-bosco-the-saint-of-youth-and-sport-documentary-presented-in-rome#sigProIdaa973a90e7
