Quito, Ecuador - 1895 – From their very arrival in Ecuador, the Salesians have dedicated themselves to work in the indigenous communities of the Shuar, the "fearsome head reducers". In 1963, there were 11 Salesian houses in the middle of the jungle, with several parishes and a group of Salesians delegated to work among the local natives.
(ANS - Campo Grande) - Yesterday, Monday 20 April, at 1.45 pm, Fr Georg Lachnitt, SDB, left for the Father's house, at 81 years of age, after 62 years of religious life and 52 years of priesthood. “Father Lachnitt was a great Salesian, a zealous priest and a missionary in love with the cause of the Indigenous, to whom he dedicated his life. He was faithful to the Church and the Congregation. We praise God for this,” they say from the Provincial House of Brazil-Campo Grande (BCG).
(ANS – Guwahati) – The 7-day youth extravaganza of the “National Youth Tribal Youth Exchange Fest” that brought together 500 youth from all over India drew to a close on 8th March with the valedictory function. The ceremony was held at the Amphitheatre of the “Don Bosco Institute” and began at 10:30 a.m.
(ANS - Wichimi) - In the Ecuadorian Amazon, the evangelization of the Achuar people began in 1971, with the arrival of Salesian Fr Luis (Luigi) Bolla in the community of Wichimi, who decided to stay there to share the Gospel through the testimony of his life and culture. More than 45 years have passed and the missionary work of the Salesians continues.
(ANS - Rome) - Pope Francis has offered the Amazonian Church, the universal Church and all men of good will the post-synodal document: Querida Amazonía. Below, Fr Martín Lasarte, who participated in the Synod of Bishops on the Pan-Amazon region, indicates only a few of the many significant points.
(ANS - Lima) - Living and accompanying the most needy of Amazonian populations is no longer considered by the Catholic Church as something for a few "dispersed in the jungle", as could have been the case with, or at the time of, Fr Luis (Luigi) Bolla. In one of his speeches to missionaries, Pope Francis said: "Do not be afraid to open new roads", and today these new roads are "Amazonian peoples", forgotten by a society centralized in large cities and by a Church which is not yet missionary.
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.”