【慈幼通訊社 ─ 2013 年 09 月 19 日波蘭奧斯威辛訊】 ─ 奧斯威辛 Jagielly 慈幼會院院長 Bogdan Nowak 神父，九月十八日致函總會長，與整個修會分享鮑思高神父成為該市主保的喜悅：「本年八月十五至十七日，鮑思高神父到訪我們城市，同時，教宗方濟各宣佈他為奧斯威辛的主保。」

選鮑思高神父為當地主保，是由市議會發動。去年十二月二十日，這決議獲得通過。教宗於八月頒布這項法令，便獲得所需要的教宗批准。這是聖座認同奧斯威辛信眾及市民的願望，稱鮑思高神父為他們的保護者。

奧斯威辛 Oświęcim 這個名字，德文是 Auschwitz ，與世界所受的創傷和痛苦相關。當地是納粹政權最大集中營的所在地。 Nowak 神父繼續說：「我們需要青年主保，給予我們力量、喜樂及新動力。我們多麼渴望，藉著這位充滿神恩的聖者的助佑，我們將能創建一個嶄新和更美好的城市形象。」

「我們非常感謝教宗賜予我們鮑思高神父，成為本市的主保。我們許諾竭盡所能，讓市民認識他，以及他教導的價值觀，並在生活中實踐出來。」

教宗於八月十六日，正值鮑思高神父聖髑到訪當地，在數以千計的群眾見證下，宣讀有關鮑思高神父成為該市主保的法令。

Don Bosco patron of Auschwitz

(ANS - Poland –Oświęcim, 19 September 2013) – “From 15 to 17 August of this year, St John Bosco visited our city and, at the same time, the Holy Father Pope Francis declared him Patron of Auschwitz.” In a letter sent yesterday to the Rector Major, Fr Bogdan Nowak, Rector of the Salesian House at Oświęcim-Jagielly, shared with the whole Congregation his joy that Don Bosco has been made patron of the city.

The initiative to have Don Bosco named as patron started with the City Council. On 20 December it adopted a resolution to this effect. Now, with the Decree of the Holy Father last August, the necessary papal approval had been granted. It is simply an acknowledgement of the wishes of the faithful and the citizens of Oświęcim to call upon Don Bosco as their protector.

The name of Oświęcim – Auschwitz, in German – is associated throughout the world with suffering and pain. It was the location of the biggest extermination camp built by the Nazi regime. “We needed the patron of youth, to give power, joy and new energy,” Fr Nowak went on to say. “We have huge hope that, with the help of this holy charismatic figure, we will be able to create a new and better image of the city.”

“We are very grateful to the Holy Father for giving us Don Bosco as the protector of our city. We promise to do all we can to make him known to the people of the city, and to make known the values he taught, and try to live them ourselves.”

The decree of the Holy Father making Don Bosco the patron of the city was read to thousands of people gathered on 16 August last during the festivities for the visit of the relic of Don Bosco.