By Bro. Giampietro Pettenon, SDB
Missioni Don Bosco
Turin, Italy, 14 October 2019 -- Following the mandate of the General Chapter 27, to make the Don Bosco holy places more available for the numerous pilgrims, also the heart of the Valdocco 'Citadel' - Pinardi house (1846 - no basements) when the first Don Bosco House (Casa Don Bosco) was built in 1851 as we know the buildings in the middle of Valdocco complex today. Then in 1856 the entire original Pinardi house was completely demolished when Don Bosco built the Oratory as we know it today.
Soon going from 20 to 200 boys, Don Bosco purchased the Filippi house in 1860 so he could take in still more boys. Ultimately, Don Bosco's house in Valdocco accomodated some 800 boys, novices and Salesians.
Started already last year, the restoration of 'Casa Don Bosco' is scheduled to be finished next April 2020. With a large team of advisors, the Project is supervised by the Rector Major and executed by the Missioni Don Bosco (Mission Office Turin, Director Br. Giampietro Pettenon) and the ICP Province of Piedmont - Valle D'Aosta).
In a few months time, the delegates of the 28th General Chapter will enter Valdocco and may explore this new development of Don Bosco's Mother House, open for the public in its original-looking shape.
The video of the 1st part of the Don Bosco Project - Valdocco (15 minutes)
