Copacabana, Colombia - March 2023 - From March 1 to 3, the Interprovincial Meeting of local communicators of the Provinces "St. Peter Claver" (COB) and "St. Louis Bertrando" (COM) was held at the "Villa de Sales" Convention Center in Copacabana (Antioquia). The meeting was held with the aim of strengthening the work in the social networks of each of the Salesian houses and works in the country, strengthening techniques and tools for communication development, and establishing guidelines for networking and coordination between the two provinces. This training space made it possible to analyze the strengths and needs of each Salesian work, highlighting the importance of communication work in the processes of evangelization and visibility of the educational-pastoral proposals of the Salesian mission in Colombia, communicating life.
Bogotá, Colombia - February 2023 - On Feb. 18, the Salesian Province "St. Peter Claver" of Bogotá (COB), commemorated the centenary of the birth to Heaven of Blessed Fr. Luigi Variara, with the participation of the Daughters of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary and the Salesian Family. Variara, declared venerable on April 2, 1993, and beatified on April 14, 2002, by Pope John Paul II, was chosen by Fr. Michael Unia as an apostle of the leprosy sick in Colombia and founded the Congregation "Daughters of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary," causes to which he consecrated his life. He will always be remembered as the Blessed who embodied the spirit of benevolence, convinced that his reward in Heaven would be great.
(ANS - Cúcuta) - The city of Cúcuta, Colombia, located on the border with Venezuela, woke up on Feb. 1, 2023, to the sound of the marching band announcing in its streets the remembrance of the death of Blessed Luigi Variara, SDB, founder of the Daughters of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary, who knew Cúcuta as his last city on his earthly pilgrimage.
Copacabana, Colombia - February 2023 - The Salesian Province "St. Louis Bertrando" of Medellín (COM) organized the meeting of the Directors of Salesian works, February 1-3, at "Villa de Sales," near Copacabana. The objective was to reflect on the orientations presented in the governance plan of the Provincial and his Council and to develop working strategies that would allow the accompaniment of the various sectors and areas of the COM Province. The meeting was a formative experience in which the work in communion and networking was consolidated, the accompaniment of the educational-pastoral communities of Western Colombia was strengthened, and the work of each of the Provincial Delegates and services at the head of the Salesian mission was highlighted for the benefit of the accompaniment of children, adolescents and youth throughout the Province.
(ANS - Rome) - Feb. 1 marks the centenary of the death of Blessed Luigi Variara, a Salesian of Don Bosco, in Cùcuta, Colombia, at 49 years of age, 31 as a Salesian and 24 as a priest.
(ANS - Medellín) - The Salesian program to counter the exploitation of child labor in the Sinifaná basin southwest of Medellín in Colombia has achieved its first objectives. The project aimed to counter the dramatic situation in the coal mines, where only children can easily pass through the many narrow shafts, forced to work risking their lives every day.
PHOTO GALLERY
INTERVIEWS
-
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
-
“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
-
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
-
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
-
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.”