Celebration of the Bicentennial of the Birth of St. John Bosco

"More than 15,000 members of the Salesian Family turned out Aug. 9 in the streets of Lima, Peru, as part of the celebration of Bicentennial of the Birth of St. John Bosco.

"Speaking to CNA, Salesian Father Santo Dal Ben, the provincial for the religious congregation in Peru, said that this event 'can be read as a sign of the sensibility there is today towards the family, especially in a society that sometimes 'shakes up' the family. There's a lot of different ways of thinking, but not the attention due the family, and it's obvious that this brings with it consequences that are not positive.'

"'The idea behind this march wasn’t to come out against anything or anybody, instead it was to reaffirm a value that we consider very important. . . . We feel we are in profound communion with the thinking of the pope in this regard,' he added.

"'Don' Bosco, as he is often called, is an Italian saint who spent his life educating and helping improve the lives of disadvantaged children in the city of Turin. The Salesian superior recalled how Bosco responded to the anxieties of these young people who had lost their family ties when they were abandoned or because they had to leave home in search of work."

A recent National Catholic Register article reported on this celebration and its emphasis on the importance of family life.

To access the complete report, please visit:

National Catholic Register: Bosco Bicentennial: Street Party for Saint Draws 15,000 People (13 AUG 15)

Background information:

Saint John Bosco

Salesians of Don Bosco