The City’s welcome
Fr Fabio Attard was welcomed by the Borghetto San Nicolò – City of Bordighera APS Band, the flag-throwers and musicians of Ventimiglia together with the Spes group, the municipal administration, civil, military and religious authorities, the Don Bosco Past Pupils, the CNOS-FAP, and numerous local associations, including the Alpini, Civil Protection, Croce Azzurra Misericordia, Red Cross, Croce Verde Intemelia, Local Police, Le Cinque Torri, the Mariners, and the Order of the Templars. In procession from the oratory, participants made their way to the church, where the solemn City Council session took place.
The Mayor: “A Gesture of Memory, Gratitude, and Commitment”
Opening the ceremony, Mayor Fabio Perri stated: “With this solemn City Council session, the municipal administration and the entire community of Vallecrosia wish to make a gesture of deep symbolic value.”
The mayor emphasized that, in celebrating 150 years since Don Bosco’s arrival in Vallecrosia, the city acknowledges the enduring mark left by his educational and human charism. “With this act, we intend to express not only esteem and gratitude for his person and mission, but also to reaffirm the strong bond that unites our community with the educational, spiritual, and social values that Don Bosco has given to the world.”
The handing over of the keys, he explained, represents “the highest sign of welcome and belonging”, a gesture of trust with which the city symbolically opens “its doors and its heart”. Recalling a famous phrase of the founder of the Salesians – “It is not enough to love the young, they must know they are loved” – the mayor described the act as “not only symbolic but a concrete commitment to the future of young people“. The motion was passed unanimously by the City Council.
The Opposition: “The oratory is home”
On behalf of the council group Cittadini in Comune, Regional and City Councilor Armando Biasi expressed emotion and gratitude: ‘When we walk through the doors of the oratory, we are at home. The town of Vallecrosia has found its home in these 150 years’.
He highlighted three words that emerged from the Rector Major’s speeches: ‘hope, listening and community’, describing the recognition bestowed on the 11th Successor of Don Bosco as fully deserved.
Fr Attard: “You give me the key, but for 150 years you have given us your heart.”
Visibly moved, Fr Fabio Attard received the recognition with words of gratitude: “As I listened to your words, my gaze was directed to our father and teacher, Don Bosco.” He thanked the authorities and citizens, reaffirming that “young people are the reason for our existence,” and entrusting three key words to those present: gratitude, determination, and journeying together.
“Every presence is a reflection of the identity of the Congregation and the Salesian Family: we must continue to be servants of the young.” And again: “We have only one goal: to educate young people. We need everyone, beyond political alliances, religious identity, or ethnic background.”
Accepting the honorary citizenship on behalf of the Salesian Family, he concluded with words that drew prolonged applause: “You give me the key, but for 150 years you have given us your heart. Let us look to the future with hope and optimism.”
Institutions: a shared recognition
Numerous institutional representatives took the floor. The President of the Province of Imperia, Claudio Scajola, recalled the territory’s vocation as a borderland and the educational role of the Salesians in shaping new generations.
Regional Councilor Marco Scajola, present with several regional councilors, underlined the importance of the work carried out by CNOS in inclusion and in guiding young people into the workforce: “Reach out to those young people who we otherwise risk losing.”
Senator Gianni Berrino highlighted the value of humility as an educational principle, while Deputy Prefect Anna De Paola thanked Fr Attard for the lessons he gave to young people and adults during the days of the visit.
The Voice of the Salesian Church and the diocese
The Parish priest Fr Simone Indiati highlighted the atmosphere of volunteerism and service that accompanied the celebrations: “I saw so much affection for Don Bosco in this town.”
The Salesian Provincial Fr Roberto Colameo reiterated the importance of shared responsibility between Salesians and lay people: “We Salesians are nothing without young people and without the lay people.”
Bishop Antonio Suetta described the 150 years as “a treasure chest of incalculable gifts”, recalling that Don Bosco came to Vallecrosia “in a spirit of the purest gratuitousness”, a style that continues today.
A celebration that continues
At the conclusion of the ceremony, the city continued the festivities with games, performances, and moments of entertainment, bringing to a close three days of celebration that united memory, gratitude, and commitment to the younger generations.
With the conferral of honorary citizenship on Fr Fabio Attard and the presentation of the keys of the city, Vallecrosia publicly reaffirmed its deep bond with the educational legacy of Don Bosco, which for 150 years has continued to shape the face of the community.
{gallery}Conferimento Cittadinanza RM – Vallecrosia 7.3.26{/gallery}
