(ANS – Rome) – On the weekend of March 14–15, 2026, “La Violetta di Don Bosco” (Don Bosco’s Violet) will return across Italy. This national initiative, promoted by the Salesians for Social network, is now in its fourth edition and is organized in collaboration with the Association of Salesian Cooperators from the Region of Italy, the Middle East, and Malta.

More than 90 squares, oratories, and parishes throughout the country will take part, where Salesian Cooperators and volunteers will offer the traditional violet flower to support children and young people in Salesian family homes and day centers, strengthening educational projects dedicated to minors in difficulty and their families.

This event mobilizes local communities, educational institutions, and the Salesian Family around a shared goal: to offer concrete opportunities for growth to those living in situations of social and educational vulnerability.

A Collaboration That Strengthens the Salesian Family

The fourth edition is enriched by the collaboration with the Association of Salesian Cooperators of the Region of Italy, the Middle East, and Malta, which—as World Councilor Italo Canaletti points out—“bears witness to the promise lived out in the territory, together with Salesians for Social, in the beauty of the Salesian message.”

This synergy expresses shared responsibility and unity within the Salesian Family, strengthening the common commitment to the most vulnerable young people.

A National Network at the Service of Vulnerable Minors

“When the network comes together, no young person is left on the sidelines. Don Bosco’s Violet is not just a major public event,” says Fr. Francesco Preite, National President of Salesians for Social. “It is a concrete sign of a national network that is growing and recognizes itself as united in its responsibility toward the most vulnerable minors. Throughout Italy, we bring a clear message: there is a community that believes in young people, invests in them, and works every day to offer real opportunities for growth and a future.”

The Salesians for Social network is expressed through educational communities, day centers, oratories, social inclusion programs, educational support initiatives, and personalized accompaniment—places where the educational legacy of St. John Bosco continues to live thanks to the commitment of Salesian educators and Cooperators, volunteers, and families.

His message remains relevant today and continues to inspire the network’s daily commitment: “Doing good is like the violet flower: a flower that cannot be seen, but whose fragrance can be perceived by all.”

A Small Gesture That Creates a Future

On March 14–15, 2026, choosing the “Violetta di Don Bosco” means making a simple but concrete gesture of solidarity. By visiting one of the more than 90 participating squares, oratories, and parishes, people will be able to directly support educational projects dedicated to the most vulnerable children.

A small flower can become a powerful sign of hope—so that no child feels alone. 🌸