The inauguration took place last Saturday, April 18, 2026, on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the Salesian Don Bosco house dedicated to “the Adolescent Jesus,” a long-standing educational and social reference point in the area.
A Milestone Rooted in History
The celebrations marked the anniversary of the institution founded on April 18, 1966, in the presence of Fr. Luigi Ricceri, then Rector Major of the Salesians and the sixth successor of St. John Bosco.
Numerous civil and religious authorities attended the ceremony, including the Archbishop of Palermo, Rt.Rev. Corrado Lorefice; the City Councillor for Social Policies, Mimma Calabrò; and Patrizia Valenti, representing the Sicilian Region, who conveyed greetings on behalf of President Renato Schifani.
Representatives from ecclesial and social sectors, including Fr. Domenico Saraniti, Fr. Domenico Luvarà, Patrizia Di Dio (President of Confcommercio Palermo), along with entrepreneurs and former students of the institute were also present.
A Project for Inclusion and Opportunity
The new Social Citadel project is designed as a cultural and educational center capable of addressing inequalities, promoting solidarity, and offering concrete opportunities to young people—especially those who are vulnerable or at risk of marginalization.
In his institutional message, President Schifani highlighted the fundamental role of the Salesian prsence within Sicilian society, emphasizing how its educational commitment, inspired by Don Bosco’s values, continues to respond concretely to the needs of new generations.
“Sixty years of history,” the message states, “clearly demonstrate the essential role the Salesian work has played and continues to play in Palermo and throughout Sicily. Its educational mission, inspired by Don Bosco’s charism, has been and remains a concrete response to the needs of young people, families, and the most vulnerable communities, offering paths of human and cultural growth centered on the dignity of the person. The Social Citadel project fits perfectly into a modern and responsible vision, capable of connecting institutions, the third sector, and civic realities to address together the new challenges posed by educational poverty and ongoing social transformations.”
Values That Shape Society
Archbishop Rt. Rev. Lorefice also reflected on the enduring relevance of Don Bosco’s values: “These are values that shaped my own formation and growth. Today they represent an antidote to the culture of individualism and profit that risks enslaving society to false idols. We are living in a delicate historical moment: we must bring the peripheries and those on the margins back to the center, affirming justice, equality, and freedom, and promoting welcome and the dignity of the human person as an active member of society. In this, the work of the Salesians is at the forefront, carrying out extraordinary efforts in the fight against marginalization.”
A Living Space for the Future
Finally, Fr. Domenico Luvarà expressed his satisfaction with the inauguration: “This was an opportunity to come together with our students, the Salesians, and institutions to celebrate this important milestone and to give back to society our institute in a renewed, modern form. This structure is not just a building, but a living reality: the oratory, the vocational school, the parish, and the home that will welcome at-risk minors will be its foundational pillars, all at the service of young people in difficulty. The citadel will be a place where young people can express themselves and become protagonists of their own future. Today we already have more than 700 young people who are growing and being formed here, and we want to relaunch this mission with renewed strength, building on what has been sown over these sixty years.”
Sources: Palermo Today, Palermo Mania
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