(ANS – Colle Don Bosco – September 10, 2026) – Fourteen novices from Italy, Portugal, Croatia, Poland and Spain made their first religious profession in the Salesian Congregation on September 8, the Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, at 11 a.m. in the Basilica of St. John Bosco at Colle Don Bosco. The Holy Mass was presided over by Fr. Silvio Roggia, General Councillor for Formation, and concelebrated by Fr. Juan Carlos Pérez Godoy, General Councillor for the Mediterranean Region; the provincials of the new Salesians’ home provinces; and dozens of priests. Family members and friends of the novices who had traveled there for the occasion were also present.
The motto chosen by the novices for their profession was taken from the Gospel of John: “Remain in my love” (Jn 15:9).
Fr. Roggia’s Homily
In his homily, Fr. Silvio Roggia drew inspiration from the motto chosen by the novices and from the grape harvest season currently taking place across Europe to offer a reflection on the meaning of religious profession.
The General Councillor recalled that the best bunches of grapes are those closest to the vine’s trunk, as they receive the richest sap. In the same way, Fr. Roggia explained, the new Salesians are called to remain ever close to the Lord, abiding in his love, so that they may bear abundant fruit in their lives and in their mission.
The New Salesians
The following are the names of the 14 young men who made their first Salesian religious profession:
- Ivan Berisić (CRO)
- Samuele Civati (ILE)
- Fabio Di Ponzio (IME)
- Francesco Maria Elia (ICC)
- Łukasz Grzywacz (PLO)
- Matej Marija Jurčić (CRO)
- Bartol Franjo Kadić (CRO)
- Krystian Franciszek Krebs (PLE)
- Francesco Lucianò (ICC)
- Fredison Oliveira Santos (POR)
- Filip Ondráček (CEP)
- Salvador Álvaro María Rivas Muñoz (SMX)
- Ondřej Škvain (CEP)
- Ivan Sutalo (CRO)
The new Salesians will now continue their formation, drawing on the experience gained during their novitiate year at Don Bosco’s birthplace.