SAINT JOHN BOSCO:

"IUVENTUTIS PATER ET MAGISTER"

The letter "Centesimo Exeunte" - A title needing deeper thought and interior assimilation - The designation "Father" - The adjunct "Teacher" - The living connection with "Youth" A spur to a "New Evangelization" - Ecclesial endorsement of the preventive system

Rome, 24 February, 1989

My dear confreres,

The celebrations of the first centenary year of the death of our Father and Founder Don Bosco have come to an end. News comes in from all over the world of quite extraordinary events that gave rise to admiration, led to thoughtful reflection and opened up perspectives of fresh commitments. We have discovered that the personality of our Saint has an outstanding place in history and is of concern to wide sectors of cultural and social life. We have enjoyed it all, not because of an ingenuous satisfaction of corporate self-esteem, but because we have been able to contemplate more clearly in him the wonders of the Holy Spirit.

We have experienced a great joy of faith, which has increased in us the appreciation of our vocation and our dedication to our mission. And for all this let us be grateful to God.