(ANS – Korostiv) — On Aug. 16, 2026, the anniversary of the birth of St. John Bosco, the Salesian Family in Ukraine gathered in Korostiv, amid the picturesque scenery of the Carpathian Mountains, at the country’s first and, to date, only Salesian church dedicated to the Saint of Youth. The patronal feast, celebrated in an atmosphere of prayer and fraternity, was enriched this year by several events of particular significance for the Salesian Mary Help of Christians Vice-Province of the Byzantine Rite.

The celebration was attended by the confreres of the Vice-Province, members of the Salesian Family, diocesan priests, members of other religious institutes, numerous leaders and members of the Salesian Youth Movement (SYM), young people, teenagers and children, pilgrims, the faithful, and representatives of various communities from neighboring towns and the city of Lviv.

Three Significant Moments

The day was marked by three particularly significant moments for the Salesians of the Vice-Province: the clothing of confrere Roman Yatsyshyn, the blessing of the church’s new iconostasis, and the installation of Fr. Mykhaylo Chaban as Superior of the Vice-Province for a new term of office.

The Clothing of Roman Yatsyshyn

Before the Divine Liturgy, a liturgical service was celebrated in honor of St. John Bosco, during which the rite of clothing of young confrere Roman Yatsyshyn took place. In the tradition of the Eastern Churches, the habit is one of the visible signs of religious consecration. Taking into account this tradition and the path of inculturation undertaken by the Vice-Province, the habit is conferred upon confreres with temporary vows according to the rite prescribed by the Congregation and adapted to the Eastern liturgical tradition.

Particularly moving were the words of the rite, recalled by Don Bosco himself: “May the Lord strip you of the old man (…) and clothe you with the new man, created according to the heart of God (…).”

A Sign of Communion

The solemn Divine Liturgy was presided over by His Excellency the Most Reverend Ihor Vozniak, Archbishop and Metropolitan of Lviv for the Ukrainians, in the presence of Fr. Roman Jachimowicz, SDB, Councilor for the Central and Northern Europe Region. The Byzantine Rite celebration was accompanied by the magnificent singing of the “Axios” choir, which helped create an atmosphere of solemnity and deep contemplation.

The presence of the Regional Councilor made particularly evident the communion of the Ukrainian Vice-Province — which lives and works within the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church — with the Rector Major, the Congregation and the entire Salesian Family throughout the world. This took on even deeper significance in the difficult context of the war, which continues to affect the lives of the Ukrainian people and the pastoral and educational work of the Salesian communities.

In his address, Fr. Jachimowicz emphasized the importance of the occasion for the Vice-Province and offered his best wishes to the Superior, who is beginning his second six-year term. Finally, he reaffirmed the closeness of the Rector Major and the General Council to the Ukrainian people, renewing the solidarity of the entire Congregation: “In this time of trial caused by the war, you are not alone!”

A Heartfelt Thank You

At the end of the installation ceremony, Fr. Mykhaylo Chaban addressed those present, beginning with heartfelt thanks to God for the gift of his vocation, for the Salesian Family, for the young people entrusted to the Salesian mission, and for the opportunity to serve the Vice-Province during a new term of office.

Fr. Mykhaylo thanked the Metropolitan Archbishop for his fatherly closeness to the Vice-Province and the entire Salesian Family, as well as for his support and trust. He also addressed Fr. Roman Jachimowicz, recalling how his presence enabled everyone to feel part of the great Salesian Family throughout the world, united by the same vocation and the same heart as Don Bosco.

The Superior also expressed his gratitude to the Ukrainian soldiers, some of whom were present at the celebration, thanking them for the sacrifice they have made in defending their country since the start of the war and for making it possible to continue living, praying and carrying out the Salesian mission among young people during this difficult time.

As he began his new term of office, Fr. Mykhaylo did not wish to make grand promises but asked the Lord for the grace to be “a father and brother to his confreres and a good shepherd to young people.” He then invited everyone to pray for him and to help him ensure that the entire community remains faithful to Don Bosco, to the Church, and to the young people whom God entrusts today to the Salesians in Ukraine.

The whole day was entrusted to the protection of Mary Help of Christians and to the intercession of Don Bosco and concluded with a wish expressed by Fr. Mykhaylo that encapsulates the heart of the Salesian mission:

“May young people always feel, in our houses and throughout our Vice-Province, that here they are loved, here they are welcomed, here is their home.”