Bi-centenary of the birth of St Giuseppe Cafasso

(January 14. 2012) Cardinal Mauro Piacenza. Prefect of the Vatican congregation for the Clergy is going to celebrate Mass and preach in the Basilica Sanctuary of the Consolata in Turin, on Sunday on the occasion of the bicentenary of the birth of Saint Joseph Cafasso, patron of prisoners and the guide of Don Bosco. "The masterpiece of the work of formation of Saint Joseph Cafasso was Don Bosco." The Basilica della Consolata: the church beloved by Joseph Cafasso and Don Bosco, is also attached to the prison chaplaincy for North Italy. Next to the Basilica della Consolata stands a 25 meter high dedicatory column. A statue of the Virgin Mary was placed on top in 1835 as a thank you to the Madonna for keeping at bay the dreaded plague which devastated Europe that year.