4420(III)_Birthday of Don Bosco Alumni: June 24 Message

Don Bosco Feastday

June 27, 2017

By Mr. Michal Hort, EXDB
World President of Don Bosco Past Pupils

RMG, 24 June 2017 -- Dear Past Pupils and Friends of Don Bosco!

On the 24th June1880, the first group of past pupils visited Don Bosco to thank him for the education and love, which they received from him and the other Salesians. It was the first group of past pupils from Torino. Today, there are millions of past pupils around the world. Old, young, of different race and creed. But we were all blessed with the same love and gratitude.

We have received the same gifts from Don Bosco, through the Salesian family, our formation, the values, joy and love, in the same way as the first boys in Valdocco had received during the time of Don Bosco. That is why we still gather in gratitude why we try to create a community, be part of the Salesian Family and the dreams of Don Bosco.

Let´s be thankful and mark this special day, let us celebrate and commemorate the gathering of the first past pupils. We have received much and much is expected from us. In our Statute, there is written, that we are a strong and energetic community which aims to reach heaven here on earth.

Let us persist, wherever we are and whatever we are doing, in our spiritual life, in our families, in our work or public life, to be committed witnesses of who past pupils ought to be and what Don Bosco means to us. Let us act and show the world that we want to reach happiness and holiness on the earth for our families, the Salesian Family and society.

In 1880, past pupils had the opportunity to thank Don Bosco personally. Today, I invite you to pray or spend a moment of silence, in gratitude, for what past pupils of Don Bosco are in the world today.

There are great challenges and new opportunities waiting for our community. Maybe we do not even know about all the dreams and plans of Don Bosco for us. I invite you thereby to live your past pupil identity in your lives and to be sensitive to the needs around us. I invite you to carry the legacy of Don Bosco in our everyday life and in our hearts.

Let´s rejoice. Don Bosco is rejoicing with us today.