Venerable Mamma Margaret

(ANS - Vatican City: 15 November 2006) - Today, 15 November, in the Chapel of the Salesian community in the Vatican, during a short but intense moment of prayer, the Cardinal Prefect José A. Saraiva Martins read the Decree which recognises the heroicity of the life and the virtues of Mamma Margaret, as well as her reputation for holiness. Those present were the Rector Major of the Salesians, Fr Pascual Chavez, the Postulator General, Fr Enrico dal Covolo, the Prefect of the Apostolic Vatican Library, Fr Raffaele Farina, the Director General of the Vatican Press, Fr Elio Torrigiani, and the confreres of the community.

After the reading His Eminence the Secretary of State, Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, came to offer his greetings and his blessing. On 23 October the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, at the invitation of Pope Benedict XVI, promulgated the Decree. At the end of the short ceremony the Rector Major said: "This is a memorable day for the Salesian Family which sees Mamma Margaret take a further step towards the altars. It is an event the whole Salesian world has been waiting for and for which it has been preparing with many initiatives in honour of the mamma of Don Bosco. We entrust ourselves to her so that she may intercede for the whole Salesian Family and for the Congregation as it prepares to celebrate the 26th General Chapter in 2008".

Among the many initiatives worth mentioning is the " Mamma Margaret Association" with the special support of the Rector Major which brings together the parents of Salesians inviting them to pray and to provide encouragement for the vocations of their own sons.