By our own correspondent

       Don Bosco Cuneo, Italy, 9 December 2022 -- The traditional Feast of the Immaculate Conception of Mary (December 8) marks a special day for the world-wide Salesian Family. 181 years after the Hail Mary said by Don Bosco in Turin, Church of St Francis of Assisi, alesian Family members are coming together to give thanks, to celebrate and build the family relationship.

       On 8 December in Cuneo (Italy, Piedmont-Val d'Aosta province, ICP) the whole Salesian Family animated by 6 SDBs and 4 FMA sisters gathered with special guests of honor - 3 Salesian Brothers invited to share about St Artemides Zatti and their personal vocation experience. More than 100 members of 6 SF groups after the evening prayer, light dinner, went to the theater to listen to Salesian Brothers Ottavio Forzatti, Pierluigi Crivello and Fabrizio Spina (60, 33 and 5 years of religious life respectively).

       The 90-minute talk-show on stage helped all Salesian Family members to get know our new Saint Artemides Zatti better. Three Brothers interviewed by Fr Egidio Deiana shared their vocation and missionary heart with three distinct stories. Br Ottavio shared his lifelong experience of 42,000 km on a bicycle with different groups of young people on Europe's roads and his 'theology of the bicycle wheel'. Br 'Gigi' shared his long health struggle amidst a busy apostolic life fully immersed in the life of the young and their families, and finally the youngest, Br Fabrizio, shared the most important virtues admired in Salesian Brother Zatti - humility and everyday joyful commitment to serve the young people as educator.

       Don Bosco Cuneo Parish and Oratory is located close to the Italy-France boarder city, well known for a vibrant EPC (Educative and Pastoral community) and rich with many Salesian vocations (SDB and FMA), today as well. At least 3 SDB missionaries in the EAO region were born in the Cuneo zone. The recent beatification of two local diocesan priests - martyred on 19 Sept 1943, connected with the Salesian work, Blessed Fr Giuseppe Bernardi and Fr Mario Ghibaudo, brings also a lot of enthusiasm to this community.

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