It was on 24 th June, 1870, that Charles Gastini and a dozen or so of his friends – all past pupils – came to meet their beloved Rector, Fr. John Bosco and presented him with their gifts. This was a small token of love and gratitude for the happy days they had spent at one of the first Don Bosco institutions in Italy. That historic meeting was repeated every year for sixteen successive years during the life of Don Bosco, with an ever increasing number of past pupils, and Don Bosco, always appreciated this very significant gesture.

When Don Bosco died, Charles Gastini told Fr. Rua, his successor: “Unable to build a monument worthy of the memory of Don Bosco, we decided to form a Federation and we wish it to be a living monument dedicated to the memorial of Don Bosco.” And even today, Don Bosco lives on in his numerous institutions all over the world, especially through his close followers, called the Salesians and the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians.

His memory is also kept particularly alive through those who have come under his influence and care, in other words through the Past Pupils. Thus there is a World Federation and Provincial Federation formed from the Past Pupils at the unit level. We urge you also to support this, your own Association of Past Pupils, by your co- operation, interest and prayers. You should be an active member of the Past Pupils Association of the Don Bosco institute nearest and most convenient to you. For this kindly contact the local delegate or Fathers or Brothers working there – Always remember the motto of the Past Pupil as given by Don Bosco himself: “Know, Love, Help one another and keep united”. The school has a well-knit team of past pupils who are instrumental in the development of the school in many ways.