One of the first actions of the 1965 general chapter was to elect a new rector major because Father Ziggiotti had insisted on not standing for re election.

As this had come as a surprise to the electors, the first scrutiny was rather uncertain, but then the voting went rapidly in the direction of Father Louis Ricceri, who had been the member of the superior chapter who dealt with the Cooperators and the press. Father Ricceri, sixth successor of Don Bosco, was born in Mineo, near Catania, in Sicily, on the 8th of May, 1901. He was ordained at the age of twenty-four, in 1925, and was soon entrusted with important responsibilities. In 1935 he was appointed rector of the Salesian house in Palermo (Sampolo), when Father Ziggiotti was provincial in Sicily. Five years later, he became rector of the Dominic Savio Institute in Messina.

His talents were recognized in Turin, and in 1942, in mid-war, Father Ricaldone appointed him provincial of the subalpine province. In 1953 while he was provincial in Milan, Father Ziggiotti made him a member of the superior chapter, which marked a new phase in Father Ricceri's life. After years of directorship during which he had acquired valuable experience with the men and affairs of the Congregation, his new office acquainted him with two important sectors of the modern apostolate, that of the Christian laity through the Cooperators, and that of the press. To both he was eventually to dedicate twelve years of hard work. Next to increasing the membership, he aimed, above ail, to improve the spiritual and apostolic quality of the members of the Association of Salesian Cooperators by concentrating on their training and selection.

Their organization was consolidated and made more efficient by finding new activities that were more suitable for Christians of our time. In explaining to his confreres the exact position of the Cooperators in the Salesian family complex, Father Ricceri succeeded to restore importance and modernity to their mission. In the sphere of the press, his accomplishments revealed a modern concept of journalism and of the dissemination of information. He had the Italian Salesian Bulletin printed in offset with abundant illustrations; and he established an information agency in Turin (Agenzia Notizie Salesiane) which collected and distributed news from all over the Salesian world; there was also the launching of the carefully prepared monthly review Meridiano 12 in 1955, which was to become a successful replacement of the Letture Cattoliche (Catholic Readings), founded one hundred years before by Don Bosco himself. Since these activities involved many journeys and personal contacts, they broadened Father Ricceri's vision of the tasks of the Church and of his Congregation. All these facts were undoubtedly considered before the final vote of April 27, 1965.

In electing Father Ricceri superior general, the members of the XIX General Chapter placed at the helm of the Salesian Society a man who combined a thorough knowledge of internal affairs with a flair for dealing with external problems.