(ANS - Madrid) - On May 9 and 10, families attending Salesian presences in the Spain-Saint James the Greater (SSM) Province had the opportunity to participate in two webinars where they worked on how to create a "Safe Environment," both in families and in Salesian homes.
(ANS - La Coruña) - On Saturday, May 6, in honor of St. Domenico Savio, the groups of children and youth of the "Itinerary of Faith Education" of the Spain-Saint James the Greater (SSM) Province - Saltimbanquis, Andaina, and ADS -, which are part of the Federation of Salesian Youth Centers of Galicia, celebrated their "Xuntanza," that is, their festive gathering. The event took place at the "Abeiro" youth center in La Coruña, marking the 30th anniversary of its founding. Similar events were also held on the same day and the following day in León and Deusto.
(ANS - Soyapango) - As evidence of its determined action to support children and youth in El Salvador, the Salesian program "Fundación Salvador del Mundo" (FUSALMO) has signed a cooperation agreement with the Association "Museo de los Niños - Tin Marín" (Children's Museum - Tin Marín). The objective of the agreement is to promote training and education programs that help the moral development of young people to build their identity through social coexistence, harmony and respect.
Slavina, Slovenia - December 2022 - Since last spring, due to the war, 20 children from the orphanage in Severodonetsk, Ukraine, together with the staff of the same institution, have found shelter in Slavina, a village near the town of Postojna, Slovenia, where they have been warmly welcomed by the locals. In November, the "Fundacija Don Bosko," of the Salesian Province of Slovenia (SLO), organized a campaign to help the little orphans called "Let's Give Joy to the Children"; and on December 6 in the orphanage in Slavina the feast of St. Nicholas was organized, St. Nicholas being in Slovenia and other Central European nations the patron saint of goodness, the bishop who, accompanied by angels, distributes gifts to the children. The feast was also attended by some young people from the Salesian school in Želimlje, whose animation made the children even happier. Their smiles, faces surprised by the gifts, and enthusiasm for the music and other events were the best rewards for all those who joined the campaign.
(ANS – Bruxelles) – On the 4th of March 2022, the Ministers in charge of Family and Children Affairs of the 27 Member States of the European Union (EU) gathered in Paris, hosted by the French Presidency of the Council of the EU. The aim of this conference was to monitor the national implementation of the European Child Guarantee, a brand new social policy launched in 2021 by the EU to prevent and fight child poverty and social exclusion in Europe. Don Bosco International (DBI), together with SOS Children's Villages International (SOS-CVI) and other civil society organizations, was entrusted with the task of ensuring high-quality child participation within the framework of this conference. Thanks to the coordination of DBI, children, and educators from Salesiani per il Sociale (Italy), Plataformas Sociales Salesianas (Spain), and the Salesian Province of Malta were actively involved in this participatory process.
(ANS - Seville) - The youngest and most talented chefs on television returned to the Spanish network "La 1" giving an excellent representation of the Salesian spirit. The casting of the ninth edition of “MasterChef Junior” in fact included among the competitors Pablo and Sara, two students from the Salesian centers of Triana and Trinidad, in Seville, who were able to convey the same enthusiasm and values that they breathe at school.
PHOTO GALLERY
INTERVIEWS
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Democratic Republic of Congo – Fr Owoudou on the situation in the eastern parts of the country: “No matter how dark the night may seem, dawn will inevitably come”
(ANS - Goma) - During his latest phase of the Extraordinary Visit to the "Mary Most Holy Assumption" Province of Central Africa (AFC), Fr. Alphonse Owoudou, Councillor for the Africa Madagascar Region, conducted an interview with the magazine "JAMBO VIJANA," representing the youth engaged in the Salesian works of the Province's Eastern Delegation. Addressing the ongoing violence and conflicts in the region, Fr. Owoudou expressed hope, saying: "No matter the length of the night, dawn will inevitably come."
EDITORIAL
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“Speaking with the Heart”: A great Antidote for the Ills of today’s world
‘Revolutionize the world with your kindness, by speaking with your heart’, is the dream that Pope Francis envisions for humanity through his 57th World Communication Day message, that falls on this Ascension Sunday, 21st May 2023. ‘Speak with your heart in truth and charity’, and this is the best antidote that can cure the ills of today’s society.
EVENTS
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Italy – "Labs To Future": the final event of the "Labs To Learn" project in Valdocco
(ANS – Turin) – The final event of the "Labs to Learn" project was held on Tuesday, 5 March 2024, entitled "Labs To Future: The path – The results – The challenges" . The project was selected by the "Con i Bambini" social enterprise within the framework of the Foundation for the Fight against Child Educational Poverty and came into being with the intention of combating early school leaving and preventing educational poverty, increasing the number of young people with difficulties who fulfil their school obligation, access higher education and/or job placement, and opening the way for personal growth according to their inclinations and aspirations.
SPECIAL REPORTS
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Peru – Centenary of the High Altar of the Basilica of Mary Help of Christians in Lima
(ANS – Lima) – The centenary of the consecration of the high altar in the Crypt of the Basilica of Mary Help of Christians in Lima was celebrated on 19 March, on the feast of St Joseph and in homage to Fr José Calasanz Marqués, then Provincial of the Salesians in Peru and Bolivia – now recognised as Blessed by the Church – on account of his name.
MESSAGES OF THE RECTOR MAJOR
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DREAMS THAT KEEP COMING TRUE!
THE MESSAGE OF THE RECTOR MAJOR, Card. Ángel Fernández Artime, SDB
When reflecting on all this, I feel I have a little authority to say: “Dear Don Bosco, your Dream is still VERY ALIVE.”