(ANS – Bellflower) – In the spirit of Holy Week, Saint Dominic Savio Church in Bellflower, California, recently hosted three days of profound reflection and dialogue centered around the youth and their relationship with Christ and the church. Facilitated by the coordinator of Youth Ministry, Dr. Jc Montenegro, this event provided a transformative experience for both young people and adults alike, fostering a deeper understanding of each other and nurturing their relationships with God in preparation for the celebration of His resurrection.
(ANS – Turin) – After last July's survey of the Michael Rua Oratory, the Fourth Council Committee chaired by Vincenzo Camarda met again with the Director of the oratory, Fr Stefano Mondin, who spoke at the Palazzo Civico to present the project known as "Barriera oggi. The neighbourhood becomes a community", funded by a call for educating communities.
(ANS – Esmeraldas) – The "Research Club for Scientific Drafting" (CIRC, in Spanish) has been a beacon of knowledge within the Mary Help of Christians Educational Unit in Esmeraldas (UEFMAE) since its foundation in 2019. The club, led by Elio Ramirez Rubira (Director and founder), aims to guide young people with missionary skills and a fervent interest in learning, and to promote research among Esmeraldas students.
(ANS - Rome) - On Wednesday, March 13th, Giuseppe Valditara, the Minister of Education and Merit (Italy), delivered a video message for the 'Didacta Italia Fair', the primary national event focusing on innovation in the realm of education - including universities this year. The fair is scheduled to take place from March 20th to 22nd in Florence and is dedicated to Don Bosco, the Father and Teacher of Young People. In his address, the Minister underscored the significance of the event and elucidated the rationale behind this dedication.
Milan, Italy – February 2024 – Cardinal Ángel Fernández Artime, Rector Major of the Salesians, was present on Thursday 29 February for the launching of the National Exhibition of Masterpieces 2024, an initiative that the National Headquarters of the Centro Nazionale Opere Salesiane – Formazione Aggiornamento Professionale (CNOS-FAP) has been promoting since 2008, as a motivational tool for students, a useful goal for teaching and as a showcase to foster contact with companies. The event was hosted by the Saint Ambrose Institute in Milan and involved well-known local personalities, such as the Councillor for Education, Training and Work in the Lombardy Region, Simona Tironi, and the Vice-President of Confindustria with responsibility for Human Capital, Giovanni Brugnoli.
(ANS – Rome) – Accompanying young people on their path to integral maturity cannot ignore education in love, affectivity and sexuality, especially in today’s society, where young people are faced with a complexity of anthropological visions, models and behavioural options as never before. Aware of this, the Salesian Congregation has already been moving for years to ensure that those involved in educating the young know how to be a valid point of reference in the challenges of this era. It is in this regard that the upcoming conference "Youth and Sexuality. Challenges, criteria and educational paths" organised by the Pontifical Salesian University (UPS) in Rome for the coming weekend (1-3 March 2024). It will also involve the General Councillor for Youth Ministry, Fr Miguel Angel García Morcuende, during all the proceedings, and on the final day also Cardinal Ángel Fernández Artime, Rector Major of the Salesians, who will preside at the concluding Eucharist.
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.”