【慈幼通訊社 ─ 2014 年 02 月 06 日羅馬慈幼總部訊】 ─ 慈幼會總會長查偉思神父，在一個國際記者會上，向記者透露將於2014年8月16日展開的鮑思高神父誕辰二百周年慶典的重要性時表示：「這並非讓我們緬懷過去，也不是一件堂區事件，卻是一個契機，讓我們更新我們接近青年的許諾，在他們所遇到的挑戰中陪伴他們。」

記者會於2月6日早上在羅馬的意大利外國記者協會舉行。記者會由意大利廣播電視公司電台新聞部暨 Radio 1負責人 Antonio Preziosi 博士主持。除查偉思神父外，出席者亦包括母佑會總會長溫幗儀修母、宗座正義和平委員會秘書托索主教、都靈聖殮布教區委員會主席Roberto Gottardo神父，以及兩名慈幼青年運動青年成員Renato Cursi及Giorgia Intreccialagli。

記者會開始時，播放了由鮑思高福傳組織與慈幼會社會傳播部共同製作的短片。影片用一些權威性的引述，加上令人回味的畫面，刻劃出鮑思高神父的夢境，如何與世人分享，並流傳到世界各地。影片可於 YouTube 的慈幼通訊社頻道中收看。

接著，大會宣讀了一則來自意大利參議院議長葛拉索（Hon. Pietro Grasso）的信息。他強調「鮑思高神父為今日世界留下了一則貼切有用的信息，教導我們面對不同的意見，培養負責任、接納及團結的態度。」

總會長查偉思神父首先發言。他強調鮑思高神父的精神切合我們的時代，他說：「鮑思高神父知道如何解讀身處時代的社會實況，他辨識到貧苦無告青年為他首要服務的對象，並向他們提供最好的禮物 ─ 教育。」接著，總會長扼要地講及現今青年所面對的三大挑戰，並展示鮑思高神父的回應，如何仍適用於今日。對缺乏自信青年的最佳回應，就是讓他們投入活動中；對前途的恐懼，可透過教育及專業培訓來克服；成人世界與青年之間的代溝，唯有透過臨在青年中，與他們分享生命才能消除。

托索主教表示，慈幼會與慈幼大家庭，是「外展的教會」。我們效法鮑思高神父的榜樣，繼續走向處於實在的及人性方面的社會邊緣上的青年。主教提及了一些慈幼會士及慈幼大家庭成員，在中小學校、高等教育及職業培訓方面作出貢獻的例子。

溫幗儀修姆憶述了鮑思高神父與瑪沙利羅修女，在青年教育上的緊密關係，在當年非常罕見。她解釋慈幼會聖召不僅屬於慈幼會會士，也與所有慈幼大家庭成員分享。她把二百周年慶典定義為「一項新的呼籲，召叫人們致力教育青年。」這是母佑會目前在94個國家所履行的使命，並將一直延續下去。

Gottardo神父論及聖殮布在對上一次公開展示的五年後，再一次於2015年春季作公開展示的盛事。他確實這計劃與鮑思高神父誕辰二百周年有關。因此在聖殮布展示籌備工作上，青年將扮演主要角色，並直接參與籌組工作。

接著，Giorgia Intreccialagli強調自己所接受慈幼教育的重要性，這有助她感到被愛，並有機會認識耶穌，她與慈幼會士在委內瑞拉的福傳經歷，亦對她影響深遠。

Renato Cursi為年輕的協進慈幼會士，他表示在一次慶禮院體育活動中，首次接觸鮑思高神父，日後並發展為一份信仰與生活上的關係。他亦宣佈慈幼青年運動慶祝鮑思高神父誕辰二百周年的活動計劃，帶領一萬名青年到鮑思高崗參與慶典。

最後環節，講者為2004年意大利小姐，現為電視節目主持的Cristina Chiabotto。她作出有關鮑思高神父的見證，並闡述他的神恩在今天的應用。她憶述在都靈母佑會學校就讀的景況，以及作為舊生的經驗，並承認在專業及個人生活上，仍有著鮑思高神父的笑容及熱忱。

鮑思高神父誕辰二百周年慶典（2014年8月16日至2015年8月16日），是一個為期一整年的慶典，讓我們紀念這位教育家，即使二百年過去了，他的教導仍能應用在青年教育方面。慶典前有三年準備期，帶領整個慈幼大家庭，發掘這位來自都靈，既是司鐸，又是教育家，也是聖者的的生平(2011-2012)、教育法(2012-2013)及神修(2013-2014)。

Press Conference for Bicentenary of Don Bosco

(ANS - RMG –Roma, 06 February 2014) – "It's not a nostalgic look back at the past, nor a parochial event, but an opportunity to renew our commitment to reach young people and accompany them in their challenges." With these words, Fr Pascual Chávez, Rector Major of the Salesians, revealed to reporters during an international press conference, the significance of the Bicentenary Year of the Birth of Don Bosco (1815-2015), which will open on 16 August 2014.

The Press Conference was held in Rome this morning, 6 February, at the Foreign Press Association in Italy. The moderator was Dr Antonio Preziosi, Director of Rai Radio News and Radio 1. In addition to Fr Chávez, those present included: Mother Yvonne Reungoat, Mother General of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians; Bishop Mario Toso, secretary of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace;  Fr Roberto Gottardo, President of the Commission of the Diocese of Turin for the Shroud, and two young people of the Salesian Youth Movement, Renato Cursi and Giorgia Intreccialagli.

At the opening there was a showing of a short video made by Don Bosco Missions in collaboration with the Department of Social Communications. It portrayed with authoritative citations and evocative images how the dream of Don Bosco is now shared and disseminated all over the world. The video is available on YouTube on ANSChannel.

A message from the President of the Italian Senate, the Hon. Pietro Grasso, was then read. In it he emphasized that "Don Bosco has left a message that is relevant today," teaching us to live with differences and develop attitudes of responsibility, acceptance and solidarity.

The first to speak was Fr Chávez. Emphasizing the relevance of Don Bosco in our time, he said that "he knew how to read the social reality of his time, he recognised  poor young people as the first recipients of his efforts and he gave them the best gift had to offer – education." The Rector Major then outlined the three major challenges facing young people today and showed how the responses of Don Bosco are still relevant today. The best way to respond to young people’s lack of self-confidence is by involving them in activities.  Fear of the future can be overcome through education and professional training. The generation gap between the world of adults and youth can be met only by being present with the young and sharing life with them.

Bishop Toso said that the Congregation and the Salesian Family are “a Church that reaches out." Following the example of Don Bosco, we continue to go to the young people at the physical and human margins of society. The Bishop mentioned some examples of the commitment of Salesians and the Salesian Family in the field of school work, higher education and vocational training.

Mother Reungoat, recalled the close relationship of trust between Don Bosco and Mother Mazzarello for the education of the young, which was quite unusual at the time. She explained that the Salesian mission does not belong exclusively to the Salesians but is shared with all the members of the Salesian Family. She defined the Bicentennial as "a new call to engage in the mission of education for young people." This is the mission that the FMA will continue to carry out in the ninety-four countries in which they are present.

Fr Gottardo spoke of the extraordinary exposition of the Shroud in the spring of 2015, just five years since the last. He confirmed that it was planned specifically in relation to the Bicentenary of the Birth of Don Bosco. This is precisely why young people will be key players and will collaborate directly in the organization of the exposition.

Giorgia Intreccialagli then highlighted the importance of her Salesian education - something that helped her to feel loved and to know Jesus - and the value of the missionary experience she had with the Salesians in Venezuela.

Renato Cursi, a young Salesian Cooperator, said that his first meeting with Don Bosco took place in an oratory through sport, and later developed into a relationship of faith and life. He also announced the plan of the SYM to mark the bicentennial of Don Bosco by bringing 10,000 young people to Colle Don Bosco.

The final intervention was that of the television presenter, Cristina Chiabotto, Miss Italy 2004. She gave her testimony of Don Bosco and the relevance of his charism today. She recalled her experience as a pupil and past pupil of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians in Turin, and admitted to still having the smile and the enthusiasm of Don Bosco in her professional and personal life.

The Year of the Bicentenary of the Birth of Don Bosco (16 August 2014 – 16 August 2015) is a year of celebration to remember a man whose teaching, after 200 years, is still as relevant as the subject of the education of young. It comes after three years of preparation that led the whole Salesian Family to rediscover the history (2011-2012), pedagogy (2012-2013) and spirituality (2013-2014) of the priest, educator and saint from Turin.