After their visit to Italy at Christmas 2004, Fr John Dickson took our British (and Canadian) Novices back to Turin to celebrate the Feast of Mary Help of Christians at the Italian Novitiate of Pinerolo. They were surprised to find that the feast had also attracted the Novices from the other Italian Novitiate at Ginzano and those from Slovakia.

There were somewhere near fifty novices present at the event from fifteen different countries across Europe, the Middle East and North America. The event was quite something with a real Salesian social occasion followed by a celebration mass brimming with youthful and vibrant atmosphere and then, once more, a feast to mark the occasion.

For the Feast of Mary Help of Christians itself, on the 24th of May, the novices joined in with a number of the celebrations of the Eucharist and also enjoyed the opportunity of exploring more of the Salesian places in and around Valdocco. The lunch on the 24th was spectacular as all of the confreres were joined by the Rector Major and the Cardinal Archbishop of Turin for one more feast.

The following day was much quieter around Valdocco as the festivities had finished. The novices spent much of the day exploring some of the sights of Turin including a guided tour of the Royal Palace and a visit to the tower of the Museum of Cinema which provided a wonderful panoramic view of Turin and the surrounding area.

After these exciting days in Don Bosco's homeland, the Novices returned to England to join the other members of the GBR province for the retreat at Ushaw College, Durham.

If you are interested in becoming a Salesian Novice, and starting on the road to becoming a Salesian Priest or Brother, please see the Vocations page.