(Pictured: Dr Etienne Ciantar, Fr Michael, Don Guiseppe, Fr Bob, Fr Kieran and Jessica)

The feast of our founder was even more special this year, as Thornleigh House in Bolton hosted the enrolment of a new Salesian Cooperator, Baron Don Guiseppe Compagnino CHSJ.

Don Guiseppe, who is a Baron of the Holy Roman Empire and Knight Hospitaller of St John of Jerusalem, has lived in Leeds since 2007, and formerly served in the Carabinieri, one of the Italian police forces.

He attended a Salesian oratory from an early age, and the Salesians have remained close to his heart throughout his life. Like most Carabinieri, he has a special devotion to the Servant of God Salvo D'Acquisto, a young officer and former Salesian pupil who gave his life to save others during the Nazi occupation in Italy.

Jessica presented our new Cooperator with the famous Salesians of Don Bosco scarf

Jessica Wilkinson, Provincial Coordinator of the Salesian Cooperators, presented him for enrolment, and his promise was received by the Rector of Thornleigh Fr Michael Winstanley SDB. In his welcome and address, Fr Bob Coupe SDB reminded us that far from being an afterthought, the Association of Salesian Cooperators was central to Don Bosco's aims and vision for his work, and it was lay people who assisted him in every respect from the very beginning of his ministry.

Don Guiseppe's enrolment was also witnessed and celebrated by his cousin Dr Etienne Ciantar, and Fr Kieran Anderson, Provincial Secretary.

We welcome Guiseppe and wish him many blessings as a Salesian Cooperator.

Receiving the certificate and badge from Fr Michael