(ANS – Rome – October 23, 2026) – To celebrate its 90th anniversary, the Giovanni Cagliero School in Rome is organizing four days of events, including presentations, educational activities, open houses, and workshops. From October 28–31, the school will host the celebrations in collaboration with the Pius XI Salesian Institute under the motto “One School, One History, One Future.” The initiative honors the legacy of Salesian education while looking toward the next generations and the school’s centenary in 2036.
The opening ceremony is scheduled for Wednesday, October 28. The morning will feature a solemn ceremony honoring Cardinal Giovanni Cagliero. Representatives from various institutions, the Pius XI Salesian Institute, former principals, teachers, alumni, and their families will attend.
Later that day, the “90 Years, 90 Children” initiative will bring together 90 students from Cagliero School and the Salesian Institute. They will symbolically represent the generations that have shaped the school’s history. For the occasion, students will create a time capsule to be opened by future students in 2036 to mark the institution’s centenary.
The History of Cagliero: A Bridge to Patagonia
The celebrations will also extend beyond Italy’s borders. In 1875, John Cagliero led the first Salesian missionary expedition to Argentina, dedicating his pastoral ministry to Patagonia. His pioneering spirit made him well suited to face the challenges of evangelization across unfamiliar territory and vast expanses, following the dream of Don Bosco, who had identified Patagonia as a destination and urged the missionaries to reach it as soon as possible.
Rediscovering this history has inspired the idea of launching a cultural exchange with a Salesian institution in Argentina. The specific partner school is still being determined.
The project will involve students and teachers in a process of mutual understanding through virtual meetings, exchanges of letters, photographs and videos, and the production of short bilingual essays. At the heart of the initiative will be a joint research project on Cardinal Giovanni Cagliero and the origins of the Salesian presence in Italy and Argentina.
The testimonies and materials collected may be placed in the time capsule or preserved in the Cagliero Historical Museum. They will serve as a tangible testament to the bond between the two communities and as a legacy for future generations.
For more information about the event schedule and to register for activities, visit La Capitale.