(ANS – Vallecrosia) – On the afternoon of Saturday, March 7, 2026, as part of the celebrations marking 150 years of Salesian presence in the city, the Municipality of Vallecrosia conferred honorary citizenship on Fr. Fabio Attard, Rector Major of the Salesian Congregation and 11th Successor of Don Bosco. He was also presented with the keys of the city during a solemn session of the City Council held in the Church of Mary Help of Christians.
The ceremony, originally scheduled to take place in the courtyard of the Don Bosco Oratory, was moved to the church due to strong winds, with the permission of the Bishop of the Diocese of Ventimiglia–Sanremo, Msgr. Antonio Suetta.
The City’s Welcome
Fr. Fabio Attard was welcomed by the Borghetto San Nicolò – City of Bordighera APS Band, the flag throwers and musicians of Ventimiglia together with the Spes group, the municipal administration, civil, military, and religious authorities, the Don Bosco Past Pupils, CNOS-FAP, and numerous local associations, including the Alpini, Civil Protection, Croce Azzurra Misericordia, the Red Cross, Croce Verde Intemelia, the Local Police, Le Cinque Torri, the Mariners, and the Order of the Templars.
In procession from the oratory, participants made their way to the church, where the solemn City Council session took place.
The Mayor: “A Gesture of Memory, Gratitude, and Commitment”
Opening the ceremony, Mayor Fabio Perri stated:
“With this solemn session of the City Council, the municipal administration and the entire community of Vallecrosia wish to make a gesture of deep symbolic value.”
The mayor emphasized that, in celebrating 150 years since Don Bosco’s arrival in Vallecrosia, the city acknowledges the lasting mark left by his educational and human charism.
“With this act, we intend to express not only esteem and gratitude for his person and mission, but also to reaffirm the strong bond that unites our community with the educational, spiritual, and social values that Don Bosco has given to the world.”
The presentation of the keys, he explained, represents “the highest sign of welcome and belonging,” a gesture of trust through which the city symbolically opens “its doors and its heart.”
Recalling a famous phrase of the Founder of the Salesians—“It is not enough to love the young; they must know they are loved”—the mayor described the act as “not only symbolic but a concrete commitment to the future of young people.”
The motion was approved unanimously by the City Council.
The Opposition: “The Oratory Is Home”
Speaking on behalf of the council group Cittadini in Comune, Regional and City Councilor Armando Biasi expressed emotion and gratitude:
“When we walk through the doors of the Oratory, we are at home. The town of Vallecrosia has found its home in these 150 years.”
He highlighted three key words that emerged from the Rector Major’s speeches: hope, listening, and community, describing the recognition given to the 11th Successor of Don Bosco as fully deserved.
Fr. Attard: “You Give Me the Key, but for 150 Years You Have Given Us Your Heart”
Visibly moved, Fr. Fabio Attard accepted the recognition with words of gratitude:
“As I listened to your words, my gaze was directed to our father and teacher, Don Bosco.”
He thanked the authorities and citizens, reaffirming that young people are the reason for our existence, and entrusting three key words to those present: gratitude, determination, and journeying together.
“Every presence is a reflection of the identity of the Salesian Congregation and the Salesian Family: we must continue to be servants of the young,” he said.
“We have only one goal: to educate young people. We need everyone, beyond political alliances, religious identity, or ethnic background.”
Accepting the honorary citizenship on behalf of the Salesian Family, he concluded with words that received prolonged applause:
“You give me the key, but for 150 years you have given us your heart. Let us look to the future with hope and optimism.”
Institutions: A Shared Recognition
Numerous institutional representatives also addressed the gathering.
The President of the Province of Imperia, Claudio Scajola, recalled the region’s vocation as a borderland and the educational role of the Salesians in forming new generations.
Regional Councilor Marco Scajola, present together with several regional councilors, highlighted the importance of the work carried out by CNOS in promoting inclusion and guiding young people into the workforce: “Reach out to those young people whom we otherwise risk losing.”
Senator Gianni Berrino emphasized the value of humility as an educational principle, while Deputy Prefect Anna De Paola thanked Fr. Attard for the lessons he shared with young people and adults during the days of his visit.
The Voice of the Salesian Church and the Diocese
The Parish Priest, Fr. Simone Indiati, highlighted the atmosphere of volunteerism and service that marked the celebrations: “I saw so much affection for Don Bosco in this town.”
The Salesian Provincial, Fr. Roberto Colameo, reiterated the importance of shared responsibility between Salesians and lay collaborators: “We Salesians are nothing without young people and without the laity.”
Bishop Antonio Suetta described the 150 years as “a treasure chest of immeasurable gifts,” recalling that Don Bosco came to Vallecrosia “in a spirit of pure generosity,” a spirit that continues today.
A Celebration That Continues
At the conclusion of the ceremony, the city continued the festivities with games, performances, and entertainment, bringing to a close three days of celebration that united memory, gratitude, and commitment to younger generations.
With the conferral of honorary citizenship on Fr. Fabio Attard and the presentation of the keys of the city, Vallecrosia publicly reaffirmed its deep bond with the educational legacy of Don Bosco, which for 150 years has helped shape the life of the community.
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