This will be a very great gift for us in the year in which we commemorate the 150th anniversary of the death of the Mamma of Don Bosco. It was precisely because of this that I wanted to take the occasion to present you with the Strenna for 2006, based on the theme of the Family as the "cradle of life and love and where one first learns how to become human."

The reason for this present letter is to invite you to take advantage of this decree declaring Mamma Margaret Venerable for a special process of animation, also by holding suitable celebrations in your Provinces.

My particular suggestion is that 25 November 2006, the day on which we commemorate the death of Mamma Margaret (and the date by which we hope to have the decree declaring her Venerable), should be marked in a special way throughout the Province. I leave you to decide what can best be done on that occasion. Just by way of example I mention the following possibilities:

•   A study day with the Confreres and the Salesian Family on the spiritual characteristics of Mamma Margaret;

• A further examination of the connection between Mamma Margaret and the main elements of the Preventive System;

• A meeting with young people in which Mamma Margaret can be presented to them and family issues can be discussed;

• A celebration to which are invited the Parents of the Salesians and of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians in the Province;

• A special commemorative meeting for the lay people and helpers who are working in our houses;

• A Public Meeting at which the importance of the Mamma of Don Bosco and her influence in the vocation of her son are presented;

• Spreading an appreciation of Mamma Margaret, through appropriate articles in the local, diocesan and ordinary press;

• A special space on all the web sites of our Provinces and houses.

I would be happy if each Provincial were to let me know directly what he intends to plan and to carry out in this regard.

The decree declaring her Venerable will encourage us to look to Mamma Margaret as a person to whom we can address our prayers, asking her intercession for our houses, for ourselves, for the young people and for all those entrusted to us, and for families.

My dear Provincials and my dear confreres, we need to make this extraordinary Mamma known. Living a simple everyday holiness she cultivated, accompanied and made the great fruit of Don Bosco's holiness grow.

I am writing this letter to you on Don Bosco's name day the 24th of June, Feast of the Birth of St John the Baptist. It is also the day on which by tradition the Feast of the Rector Major is celebrated. Let us give Don Bosco this present: making Mamma Margaret known.

I thank you with all my heart for all that you will be able to promote and put into action. I am sure you will take up my invitation.

I assure you of my closeness to you and of my affection. You know that I am always near you in my prayers, that I appreciate and bless your work, while I encourage you to an ever greater fidelity.