The eye-catching complex that we see rising above the hill, now houses a technical institute and a primary school with more than 500 students, from Nazareth and neighbouring regions. But its history begins with the visit of Don Bosco's successor, Pe. Michael Rua, to Nazareth. The latter, seeing the work of a young priest, Fr Antonio Belloni, with orphaned children, decided to open a Salesian home. It was 1896 when the first orphanage was opened, with a small chapel already dedicated to the Adolescent Jesus. It was Charlotte de Cevilly, widow of Commandant Léon Foäche, who donated her inheritance to build the Shrine of the Adolescent Jesus, considered the finest example of modern Gothic in the entire Middle East. Inspired by the pure and simple life of the Holy Family here in Nazareth, also represented in the white stones of the building and the austerity of the embellishments. According to Fr Munir El-Rai, director of the Salesian work in Nazareth, the year of commemoration ends with thanks to the local community which, despite the difficulties faced, has remained present for the needs of the church, such as the replacement of the altar, the Way of the Cross, the new sound system and lighting. Fr MUNIR EL-RAI, sdb Director Salesian Work Jesus blessed us with many beautiful things, but the most beautiful thing was that in every feast, in every experience we had, the community and the people were very united and helped a lot. This is the sense that unity and service, in my opinion, are also graces from the Lord. It is a gift and this is the blessing of the teenage Jesus! At the concluding Mass on Sunday 15 September, presided over by His Beatitude Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, representatives of the Catholic Church of Galilee were present. They gathered to give thanks for 100 years of a spiritual temple, which is built in every believer and in every child, adolescent and young people, who have been able to encounter Christ through the Salesian charism. SAHER ISSA Volunteer - Salesian Choir I am a Salesian Cooperator and helper in the Church choir. I would like to wish the Salesians of the world to always love and be with the young people, as Don Bosco wished. Br WOJCIECH BOLOZ, ofm Guardian of the Basilica of the Annunciation We wish all Salesians who always keep young people in mind to be signs of the presence of Jesus. Not only here in Nazareth, but also throughout the world, in everyone's life. So not only the basilica, but also within them they must preserve this spirit, the spirit of the Adolescent Jesus. Jesus who with a childlike love gives himself to all others. All the best, happy feast day! H E Mgr RAFIK NAHRA Latin Patriarchal Vicar in Israel First of all I would like to wish much happiness, and then I would like to express the thanks of the local church to the Salesians, for the fine work they do. They have a special charisma with young people, with children, they have preserved it to this day! I wish them to continue this work because our young people need to be accompanied, loved and encouraged in life. H B Card PIERBATTISTA PIZZABALLA Patriarch of Jerusalem of the Latins The Salesians have been very good in these hundred years in evangelising, in shaping the Christian presence here in Nazareth. We need them now, in these next hundred years, where there are so many challenges, with so many problems, to be just as good at finding new forms of evangelisation, so that young people can always know Jesus and fall in love with Him.