(ANS - Turin) – The presentation of the strenna of this year based on the Dream of Don Bosco, when he was nine years old, was held on Monday, 8th January 2024 at the Basilica of Mary Help of Christians at Turin. The significant moment offered by the author of the strenna, Cardinal Ángel Fernández Artime, the Rector Major of the Salesians, turned out to be a presentation from the Salesian point of view. It was a heart-warming evening of a family sharing, which aimed to deepen the understanding of the crux of the strenna in a simple but clear manner.
(ANS – Hong Kong) – On January 1st, Octave of Christmas and Solemnity of Mary Mother of God, the last course of the CIN Province Annual Retreat 2023 concluded with the solemn Mass celebrated by Card. Joseph Zen Ze Kiun S.D.B. Like all the preceding Retreat courses (Taiwan, Cheung Chau, Casa Braga), this Shau Kei Wan Salesian Missionary House course was dedicated to a deepening of the knowledge of life, work, and spirit of our two Salesian Protomartyrs, St Luigi Versiglia and St Callisto Caravario. This theme was chosen for 2023 by the Provincial Ongoing Formation Committee to commemorate three anniversaries: the 150th Anniversary of St. Luigi Versiglia's Birth (1973-2023); the 120th Anniversary of St. Callisto Caravario's Birth (1903-2023); and the 40th Anniversary of their Beatification (1983-2023).
(ANS – Rome) – Next Sunday, 17 December 2023, Cardinal Ángel Fernández Artime, SDB, Rector Major of the Salesian Society of Saint John Bosco, will take possession of the Deaconry (Lati Diaconia) of Santa Maria Ausiliatrice in Via Tuscolana, assigned to him by the Holy Father Pope Francis during the consistory on 30 September.
(ANS – Bangkok) – “Don Bosco Home”, Bangkok played host to the 28th annual “Federation of Asian Bishops Conferences (FABC) - Office of Social Communication (OSC) Bishops” meeting from 20-24 November 2023 on the theme “Communication in the Church in Asia Today”. Fr. George Plathottam, SDB, the Executive Secretary coordinated this event. The Salesian Commission of Social Communications of Thailand collaborated closely in the organization of this meeting.
(ANS - Luanco) - The Rector Major of the Salesians, Fr Ángel Fernández Artime, celebrated his first Mass as a Cardinal on All Saints' Day in Luanco, his hometown, rendering this occasion, a historical moment.
(ANS – Vatican City) – Celebrating Mass for participants in the Synod General Assembly, Cardinal Charles Maung Bo of Yangon laments that Myanmar’s Christians are on an ‘exodus,’ and recalls the Way of the Cross lived by many Christians throughout Asia. “Faith shines a light on the path through life’s darkest and most tumultuous moments, allowing us to see God’s grace penetrating the shadows.”
PHOTO GALLERY
INTERVIEWS
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RMG – “Do Elderly Salesians have a role in the Digital Culture?”The answer in the letter “Sharing wisdom and hope in digital culture” from the General Councillor for Social Communication
(ANS – Rome) – In view of the current digital reality, and due to the presence, especially in some regions of the Salesian world, of a large number of elderly Salesians, the General Councillor for Social Communication, Fr Gildasio Mendes, has decided to dedicate a special letter to them, entitled: "Sharing wisdom and hope in digital culture". Here is how he explains to ANS readers today the origins, significance and perspectives of this document.
EDITORIAL
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Myanmar – Tragedy of Innocent Children in the midst of Armed Conflicts(ANS – Naypyidaw) - Myanmar finds itself immersed in profound grief and anguish as innocent lives, particularly those of children, continue to be mercilessly lost in the enduring armed conflicts. Families are left devastated by the tragic loss of their loved ones while the relentless violence shows no signs of abating. This week, a heartfelt plea from Myanmar reached our community, shedding light on the heart-wrenching death of a young girl Juliet in a military airstrike, prompting a unified call for prayers and action.
EVENTS
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Italy – "Education and culture of safeguarding in sport. Towards the establishment of protection and prevention models": PGS conference with UPS(ANS – Rome) – The synergy between the Salesian Youth Sports Centres (PGS) and the Pontifical Salesian University (UPS) in Rome gave rise to the conference on "Education and culture of safeguarding in sport. Towards the establishment of models of protection and prevention", which will take place on 13 April, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:45 p.m., at the UPS facilities in Rome.
SPECIAL REPORTS
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Latin America – Strengthening Vocational and Educational Commitment Today: 30 Years of the Salesian School in Latin America(ANS) – Since the first meeting in Cumbayá (Ecuador), 30 years ago, educational processes on the continent have found a collaborative epicentre which has given rise to the Salesian School in (Latin) America – ESA, in Spanish – as a forum for reflection and a common path. Many Salesians of Don Bosco (SDB), Daughters of Mary Help of Christians (FMA) and other groups of the Salesian Family (SF) have enriched this synodal journey, focusing on young people and their integral development. What are today's demands of us in the educational field? How are we building the Salesian School of the future? Can we further strengthen this great Salesian educational network in America? Some FMAs and Salesians who were at the first meeting in 1994, share their experience and their vision of how this journey has allowed a growth in the understanding of the youth reality, in the strategic decisions within the Provinces themselves and in the challenges that emerge for Salesian education.
MESSAGES OF THE RECTOR MAJOR
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I’M A SALESIAN AND I’M A BOROROTHE MESSAGE OF THE RECTOR MAJOR, Fr Ángel Fernández Artime, SDB
Diary of a Happy and Blessed Missionary Day
Dear friends , I’m writing to you from Meruri in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil. I write this greeting almost as if it were a journalistic report, because it has been only 24 hours since I arrived in the middle of this Brazilian state.