【慈幼通訊社 ─ 2014 年 07 月 30 日羅馬慈幼總部訊】 ─ 以意大利政府部長議會的主席名義成立的國家利益周年歷史與科學委員會（Historical and Scientific Committee for anniversaries of national interest），於7月18日召開由馬裡尼博士（Dr. Franco Marini）主持的會議中，確認了鮑思高神父誕辰二百周年慶典，為一項對國家有益的事件。
慈幼會懷著喜悅之心，歡迎這項決定。總會長范達民神父有以下的評語：
親愛的慈幼會士及慈幼大家庭成員，親愛的鮑思高神恩友好及青年：昨天我們收到一份附上新聞消息的稿件，新聞報導了國家利益周年歷史與科學委員會，於7月18日召開由馬裡尼博士主持的會議，宣佈鮑思高神父誕辰二百周年慶典，為一項對國家有益的事件。
當然，這消息令我們非常高興，我們深表滿意。文件確認了鮑思高神父在這國土中備受愛戴，並成為一位有特殊重要性的人物。
我希望這消息能傳遍世上慈幼神恩所在的地區，的確，我們敬愛的鮑思高神父，是聖神賞給整個教會的禮物。他作為青年慈父及良師，屬於整個世界，是人類遺產的一部份。所有慈幼會或慈幼大家庭事業的地方，這份祖產都是，且應是真實存在的，我們應勉力活出這份祖產。
我們已經表示，不願意這二百周年慶典，淪為一連串徒具形式的慶祝活動，卻要成為一個契機，讓我們都能活出鮑思高神父的神恩，一份時時刻刻適用於青年的神恩。
我們感謝意大利政府，對鮑思高神父予以肯定，並願意以更新的精神，服務普世青年，包括這片屬於他的美麗意大利國土。
親愛的
總會長 范達民神父
Bicentenary of Don Bosco: recognition as an event of Italian national interest
(ANS - RMG –Roma, 30 July 2014) – At its meeting of 18 July last, the Historical and Scientific Committee for anniversaries of national interest, chaired by Dr. Franco Marini, established at the Presidency of the Council of Ministers of the Italian Government, gave recognition to the bicentenary of the birth of Don Bosco as an event of national interest.
The Salesian Congregation welcomes this recognition with joy. The Rector Major, Fr Ángel Fernández Artime, made this comment:
Dear Salesians and members of the Salesian Family, dear friends of the charism of Don Bosco and of the young: Yesterday we received a document with the news that in its session of 18 July, the Italian Government’s Historical and Scientific Committee for anniversaries of national interest, presided over by Dr. Franco Marini, decreed that the celebration of the Bicentenary of the birth of Don Bosco be given recognition as an event of national interest.
Of course, the news makes us happy and fills us with satisfaction. This document recognizes that Don Bosco is one of the favourite sons of this land, and a figure of special importance.
I would like the message to reach all the places in the world where the Salesian charism is present that, really, our beloved Don Bosco is a gift of the Spirit for the whole Church. As Father and Teacher of Youth, Don Bosco belongs to the whole world and is part of the human patrimony of all people. Wherever there is a work of the Salesian Congregation or of the Salesian Family, this patrimony is and ought to be as real today as ever, and lived, if possible, with greater commitment.
We have shown that we do not want the celebration of the Bicentenary to be just a series of festivities, but an opportunity to do all we can to live the charism of Don Bosco which is as relevant for young people today as it has always been.
We thank the Italian Government for the recognition for Don Bosco shown by this award and we renew our commitment to young people around the world, including this beautiful land of Italy to which he belonged.
Yours affectionately,
Ángel Fernández Artime,
Rector Major