Friday 30 January will be a day marked by moments of prayer and intense spiritual participation in the Basilica of Mary Help of Christians. In the afternoon, at 5 p.m. (UTC+1), the Holy Rosary will begin, led by the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians and presided over by Fr Manuel Jiménez, who will introduce the evening Eucharistic celebration, presided over by the Bishop of Ivrea, Bishop Daniele Salera. This will be followed at 7 p.m. by the First Vespers of the Solemnity, which will be presided over by the Rector Major of the Salesians, Fr Fabio Attard.
The evening will conclude with the traditional vigil to Don Bosco, accompanied by the opportunity to approach the sacrament of Reconciliation. The vigil, recalling the words spoken by Don Bosco to his young people, will be entitled ‘Until my last breath’, and will be led by the Salesian novices from Colle Don Bosco and will offer a space for prayer and reflection, recalling the spiritual heart of the Salesian charism and Don Bosco’s total gift of life to young people.
The feast day itself, Saturday 31 January 2026, will be celebrated in Valdocco as a great event of faith, ecclesial communion and popular participation. The Basilica of Mary Help of Christians, the spiritual heart of the Salesian charism, will welcome the faithful, religious, young people and members of the Salesian Family from the early hours of the morning for a day marked by numerous Eucharistic celebrations and moments of prayer.
The morning Eucharistic celebrations at 7, 8 and 11 a.m. will be presided over by representatives of the local Church – respectively, Episcopal Vicars Fr Michele Roselli and Fr Mario Aversano, and then the Cardinal Archbishop of Turin and Bishop of Susa, Roberto Repole – as a testimony to the strong bond between Valdocco, the diocese of Turin and the educational and pastoral mission of the Salesians.
In between, at 10 a.m., there will also be a celebration presided over by the Superior of the Salesians of the Italy-Piedmont and Valle d’Aosta Circumscription, Fr Leonardo Mancini.
In the afternoon, a significant space will be dedicated to the youngest, with the traditional blessing of the children at the altar of Don Bosco (at 3 p.m.), by the parish priest, Fr Guido Dutto. This will be followed by Eucharistic adoration and the celebration of Second Vespers, presided over by the Rector of the Shrine, Fr Michele Viviano, offering a time of recollection and community prayer, preparing spiritually for the evening celebrations.
The day will continue with a mid-afternoon Eucharistic celebration (at 5 p.m.), celebrated by Bishop Alessandro Giraudo, Auxiliary Bishop of Turin, and then with one of the most eagerly awaited moments: the Mass for the Salesian Youth Movement (at 6.30 p.m.). This celebration, presided over by the Rector Major of the Salesians, Fr Fabio Attard, will be an opportunity for the current Successor of Don Bosco to convey to today’s young people the messages of unconditional love, encouragement and commitment that Don Bosco himself always addressed to his young people.
The day of celebration will conclude in the evening with a Eucharistic celebration animated by ‘Sermig’, a sign of the lively dialogue between the Salesian charism and ecclesial experiences committed to serving young people and the most vulnerable. This final moment will once again underline the relevance of Don Bosco’s message and his ability to inspire paths of solidarity, welcome and hope.
Finally, the celebrations will continue with the Day of Consecrated Life, scheduled for Monday 2 February, which will see the community gathered for a Eucharistic celebration, presided over by the Episcopal Vicar Fr Ugo Pozzoli, dedicated to consecrated men and women, in gratitude for the gift of consecrated life to the Church.
The Feast of St John Bosco in Valdocco, Turin is thus confirmed once again this year as a central event for the Salesian Family and for the city of Turin, a privileged opportunity to renew the living memory of the Saint of Youth and to relaunch, in the present, his educational and pastoral dream.
