(ANS – Turin) – Saturday, August 8, 2026, marked the conclusion of the 15th Campobosco, a Salesian youth spirituality event that brought together 687 participants, ages 19 and older, from the Salesian Youth Movement (SYM) in Spain and Portugal at sites associated with St. John Bosco and St. Mary Domenica Mazzarello. In the days leading up to the event, beginning July 31, long convoys of buses brought the participants to discover the origins of the Salesian charism right where it was born.

After spending a day and a half in Barcelona – recalling Don Bosco’s visit to the Catalan city in 1886 and receiving a welcome from Fr. Juan Carlos Pérez, Councillor for the Mediterranean Region – and following a long, full-day bus journey, the young people arrived in Chieri on the evening of August 2. After many hours spent singing, laughing, praying, and watching videos on their smartphones, the sound of the bells finally heralded the young people’s arrival at Castelnuovo Don Bosco, where “it all began.” There was just enough time to take a quick first look around the area and hear the “Goodnight” message from the Spanish Salesian Fr. José Miguel Núñez, Rector of the Colle Don Bosco center, before settling in for the night and some well-deserved rest.

The following day, August 3, the group enjoyed an exciting day at the Becchi, where the young participants had the opportunity to visit the places that shaped the childhood of St. John Bosco: from the house where he grew up to the meadow of the “Dream at Nine Years of Age,” the participants experienced the essence of the Salesian charism. Other highlights of the day included Sunday Mass – four celebrations held simultaneously to keep the groups together – the afternoon Feast of Reconciliation, and, in the evening, the Vigil of Light, in the presence of Jesus in the Eucharist.

The day of August 4 was marked by a visit to the places where St. John Bosco received his priestly and human formation. After morning Mass, they were taken to Chieri Cathedral, where Don Bosco used to pray before Our Lady of Graces and find the strength to continue on his journey. They also visited the Caffè Pianta, where he worked to support himself, and the Seminary of Chieri, where he prepared for the priesthood.

The second part of the day was devoted to exploring other places deeply linked to the Salesian Family.

The young people visited Castelnuovo Don Bosco, where John Bosco received the sacraments and spent part of his childhood; Morialdo and Mondonio, places linked to the memory of St. Dominic Savio; and Capriglio, the birthplace of Mamma Margaret, the woman whose faith, strength, and tenderness left an indelible mark on the heart of Don Bosco and the entire Salesian Family.

On Wednesday, August 5, 2026, the young people were scheduled to visit Mornese, the birthplace of Mother Mazzarello, but a fire that broke out nearby forced a change of plans, preventing access to the most significant sites linked to the saint. Far from dampening the spirit of the day, this turn of events became a new opportunity to discover that the Salesian charism extends far beyond any specific place.

Unable to travel to Mornese, the young people received an unexpected visit from Mother Chiara Cazzuola, Superior General of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians, who wished to be present for their morning prayer and share the traditional “Good morning” with them. Her words helped the young people remember that the spirit of St. Mary Domenica Mazzarello lives wherever there are hearts willing to listen to God and to walk in the service of others.

Furthermore, throughout the day, the participants were able to explore Mother Mazzarello’s life in greater depth through various workshops designed to introduce them to her history, personality, and profound experience of faith. The day concluded with the open space at Colle Don Bosco being transformed into one huge oratory, filled with games, music, activities, and moments of fellowship.

Thursday, August 6, marked the climax of this tour to the heart of the Salesian charism, with a day spent exploring Valdocco and visiting its most important sites: the Don Bosco House Museum, the Basilica of Mary Help of Christians, the Church of St. Francis de Sales, and the oratory courtyard. It was particularly significant that, on this occasion, two young people from the group received their First Communion.

The final day of the program was Friday, August 7, featuring a visit to some of the city of Turin’s most significant Salesian sites – the statue of Fr. Cafasso, the Consolata Monastery, the Church of St. Francis of Assisi with its sacristy, the Marchesa Barolo Social Works, the Porta Palazzo Market, and the Cemetery of San Pietro in Vincoli – as well as other attractions in the city of Turin.

During the concluding afternoon Mass of the pilgrimage, presided over by Fr. Miguel Ángel García Morcuende, Director of the National Salesian Centre for Youth Ministry (CNSPJ) in Spain and former General Councillor for Youth Ministry, the entire spiritual and formative experience was summarized: the young people were invited to be followers of Don Bosco’s dream today and to bring the joy of their encounter with Jesus into every aspect of their lives.

Finally, on Saturday, August 8, the Campobosco 2026 buses set off for Barcelona, bidding a deeply emotional farewell to Italy and the “Salesian Holy Land,” and carrying with the young people their desire to continue, even after this experience, to be true standard-bearers and collaborators in the Salesian mission.

Source: Salesianos.info