Official Opening of New Salesian Generalate

Official Opening of the New Salesian Generalate

Sacred Heart Basilica with adjacent generalate
(ANS)

(ANS – Rome – June 23, 2025) – The Salesian generalate (international headquarters), located in Rome at Via Marsala 42, represents the organizational heart of the worldwide Salesians of Don Bosco. It is located next to the basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in the Castro Pretorio neighborhood. Don Bosco himself built the church, the spiritual heart of devotion to the Sacred Heart worldwide.

On Friday, June 27, the renovated Salesian headquarters will be officially opened after 3 years of intense work that have radically transformed the establishment. This house has been the Congregation’s seat since 2017, following a move from the previous generalate located on Via della Pisana far outside the city center.

The Salesian generalate is by its nature the place of worldwide coordination of the entire Salesian Family and is the official residence of the rector major, the successor of Don Bosco. He leads the Congregation in 137 nations around the world, and presides over the general council, which coordinates Salesian activity.

Geographically, this house stands across the street from the Termini Station, Rome’s central railway station, in a strategic position in the heart of the capital. It is an integral part of the basilica of the Sacred Heart. Renovation began in 2022 to adapt the rooms to the functions of the rector major’s house and to meet the needs of the Congregation’s worldwide governance.

The complex has a profound historical value for the Salesians. It is the first house founded by Don Bosco in Rome, at the request of Pope Leo XIII. Don Bosco accepted the Pope’s command to build the church in 1880; from then on, he travelled through Italy, France, and Spain begging alms from benefactors, and managed to complete the work, with great effort, in 1887. Celebrating the only Mass in the church at the altar of Mary Help of Christians on May 16, 1887 – only a few months before his death – Don Bosco understood his vocation as educator of the young, and was moved by what the Lord had achieved in his life.

Sacred Heart's interior courtyard
(Fr. Gabriel Stawowy)

In addition to being the seat of central government of the Congregation, the Sacred Heart community also takes care of the Sacred Heart Basilica, animates a youth center, provinces services for the poor and refugees, and cares for the renovated Casa Don Bosco Museum in Rome, which also has undergone a radical regeneration process carried out in the context of the works that have just been completed.

Opening program

In order to celebrate worthily the completion of the works that have involved the entire structure for 3 years, the Congregation has organized a special event, which will take place on June 27, significantly on the liturgical solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

The program will start at 11:30 a.m. and will include

• Introduction to the celebration, by Fr. Francesco Marcoccio, director of the Salesian community ‘Sacred Heart’
• Address by the vicar of the Rector Major, Fr. Stefano Martoglio, on The institutional meaning of a Headquarters
• Address by the Rector Major, Fr. Fabio Attard, on Don Bosco in Rome yesterday and today
• Talk by Card. Giuseppe Versaldi, titular of the basilica of the Sacred Heart and former prefect of the Congregation for Catholic Education, on The challenges of educating young people today for the Church
• Address by Dr. Barbara Funari, councilor for youth policies of the city of Rome, on The educational challenges in Rome
• Official opening of the Casa Don Bosco Museum, with a prayer of blessing and a short guided tour for groups.

Numerous officials have confirmed their participation, including Rome’s mayor, Dr. Roberto Gualtieri; the superiors general (or their representatives) of the Jesuits, Friars Minor, Scalabrinians, Orione Fathers, and Oblates of Mary Immaculate; ambassadors; civil officials; Salesian provincials; and others.

The opening of the Salesian generalate will be a moment of celebration not only for the local Salesian community, but also for the entire city and all those who, following Don Bosco’s example, believe in an educational commitment on behalf of young people most in need.