Venerable Mamma Margaret

Don Bosco's Mother

Vatican - Mamma Margaret is Venerable
(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 Chávez, 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.

Tony Bailey
Thornleigh House
Sharples Park
BOLTON
BL1 6PQ
01204 305 125
www.don-bosco-publications.co.uk