The Rector Major received honorary citizenship  of Riva near Chieri on the occasion of the 150th anniversary of the death of Saint Dominic Savio.

12/6/2007 - Italy - Fellow citizen of Saint Dominic Savio



(ANS - Riva) - On 10 June the Rector Major of the Salesians, Fr Pascual Chávez, received honorary citizenship  of Riva near Chieri on the occasion of the 150th anniversary of the death of Saint Dominic Savio.

Having arrived at the parish church of Riva in the morning, accompanied by his secretary Fr Juan José Bartolomé and the Provincial of the Salesians in Piedmont and the Val d`Aosta, Fr Pietro Migliasso, Fr Chávez was welcomed by Dr. Lodovico Gillio, Mayor of Riva, the parish priest  Fr Beppe Coppo and some confreres from the houses of Chieri and Colle Don Bosco with their Rectors  Fr Venanzio Nazer and Fr Luigi Basset.

Fr Chávez presided at Mass for the Solemnity of Corpus Christi; afterwards on the steps in front of the church he was greeted by a number of Civil authorities present. The Rivese Orchestra played some pieces in honour of Saint Dominic Savio including a hymn composed in the `50s by the local parish priest.

At 12.30, in the Town Hall, the Mayor of Riva near Chieri conferred on the Rector Major honorary citizenship on the occasion of the 150th anniversary of the death of Saint Dominic Savio. Among those present at the event were Dr. Saitta President of the Province of Turin, Dr. Musso Vice President of the Province of Asti and a number of neighbouring Mayors. During the ceremony the authorities thanked the Rector Major for the significant presence of the Salesians in the area and Fr Chávez, in accepting the honour emphasised the need to give attention to the young not only in view of their future but also in the present responding to their needs.

At the end of the short ceremony the Rector Major visited the nearby nursery school run by the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians in conjunction with the local authorities. From there the IX Successor of Don Bosco went to the district of San Giovanni di Riva where there is the house where Saint Dominic Savio was born. Here he was welcomed by the local people and the Past Pupils and  the Cooperators who look after the Saint Dominic Savio House of Spirituality.