New spaces include chapel, teaching kitchen

(MissionNewswire) Don Bosco Center in Naples, Italy, has been renovated with new spaces for the chapel, the teaching kitchen, the oratory and the courtyard. An event was held to showcase the changes. It brought together Salesians from Southern Italy and missionary territories in the Balkans, as well as people from the community and youth who currently utilize or have previously utilized the Don Bosco Center.

During the event, the courtyard became a theater. “A Dream in the Courtyard” was a show staged by youth with music produced by youth from Cisternino. Through their creativity, the youth showed that the center is not just building new spaces but offering possibilities for the future.

At the end of the performance, a symbolic ribbon-cutting took place carried out by a representative of the construction management, a Salesian, an educator and one of the youth currently attending the oratory.

“The Eucharistic celebration then brought everything together in a single offering,” said Father Fabio Bellino, rector of Don Bosco Naples. “We have entrusted these spaces, but above all the people who will live in them. Because, ultimately, what makes a place even more beautiful is how much it manages to generate life, relationships and hope.”

“Looking back on that morning,” continued Fr. Bellino, “I carry one image in my heart — the courtyard full of people, the laughter, the hugs between those who hadn’t seen each other for years and the eyes of the young people turned toward the future. At that moment, I was certain that we were not simply inaugurating renovated spaces but a new season. Don Bosco Naples continues. It will continue as long as there are young people to welcome, dreams to cherish and a community capable of walking together.”

Salesian programs across Italy help youth who are unable to attend school and others who drop out to work at the few jobs available to them. A growing number of children work as laborers on farms and others have turned to the sex trade to help support their families. Those in poverty often live without adequate shelter, hot water, regular meals and health care.

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Sources:

ANS Photo (usage permissions and guidelines must be requested from ANS)

ANS – Italy – Revitalising spaces, inspiring lives: the new face of the Don Bosco centre in Naples

Salesian Missions – Italy

World Bank – Italy