(ANS – Rome) – There was a recent meeting of the Salesian Cooperators Association World Council held in Rome from 14 to 17 March 2024. The meeting was attended by World Councillors for the 12 Regions into which the Association is divided. In particular, in addition to the World Coordinator, Antonio Boccia, there were also members of the World Executive Secretariat and Fr Joan Lluis Playà, Central Delegate of the Rector Major for the Salesian Family Secretariat.
Venice-Mestre, Italy – March 2024 - The school yearbook was presented on Saturday, 16 March on the occasion of the delivery of the report cards to parents and students of the Salesian Institute San Marco in Venice Mestre. This is a publication that gathers all the faces of students and teachers, in an unprecedented version that used technology and creativity to create a unique product. Thanks to AI, it was possible to customise the profile of each student by creating an avatar, or a digital figure for the students of the Institute. Each student was asked to provide a brief description of themselves that focused on both aesthetic and character aspects, data that was then used by an algorithm that governs the Leonardo.AI application, to generate the image described by each boy. The potential of this tool was further exploited through another form of artificial intelligence, OpenAI's ChatGPT, to give not only a visual consistency to this avatar, but rather a real story whose main charcter was the version designed and described by the students at the San Marco Institute.
Mornese, Italy – March 2024 – On 14 March, 2024, SDb and FMA novices in Europe met at Mornese, in the place where it all began for the FMA, for a moment of formation and sharing. Gathered in Hall adjacent to Mother Mazzarello's bedroom, the young men and women together with their formators took part in a conference entitled "Traits of a beloved face from letters" given by Sister Piera Cavaglià, director of the Institute at Nizza Monferrato, sharing her deep knowledge and passion for the message and spirituality of Saint Mary Domenica Mazzarello. Mother Mazzarello's maternal heart emerges from her precious letters (68): dreams, desires, worries, hopes and joys for her daughters and the girls entrusted to them. Through her guidance, novices had the opportunity to immerse themselves in the words and thoughts of the co-founder of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians. At the end of the conference, the participants experienced a prayer of entrustment in Mother Mazzarello's bedroom, followed by the exchange of experiences and reflections in an atmosphere of communion. The day ended with the Eucharistic celebration in the chapel.
(ANS – Rome) – During Lent, registration begins for the 2024 edition of the "Laudato Si 'Animators" formation to inspire and mobilise communities on a common path of ecological conversion. The Salesian Youth Ministry Sector, through its Office for Integral Ecology, is among the promoters of this formation course, which also includes some special innovations in Italy.
(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.
(ANS – Rome) – The Salesian Missionary Volunteering continues to flourish, with participants deeply engaged in discussions about critical topics and plans to strengthen the program's impact. In the latest gathering, which spanned four days, attendees delved into essential themes such as identity, formation, accompaniment, and network building.
PHOTO GALLERY
INTERVIEWS
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Italy – Cultivating friendship with God. Interview with Fr Marco Panero, SDB, author of "In the Tent of Meeting"
(ANS – Rome) – Today we are interviewing Fr Marco Panero, Salesian, professor of Moral Philosophy at the Pontifical Salesian University and Councillor of the Apostolic Penitentiary. His volume of meditations is in the bookstores and is particularly suitable for this time of Lent, with the intriguing title: "In the tent of meeting. Meditations on spiritual life " (Edizioni Ancora, 2023 – ISBN 978-88-514-2783-2).
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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United States – INT’L WOMEN’S DAY: Salesian programs focus on inclusion for girls and women
(ANS – New Rochelle) - Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco, joins humanitarian organizations and countries around the globe in celebrating International Women’s Day on March 8. The day honors the economic, political and social achievements of women while focusing the world’s attention on areas requiring further action.
MESSAGES OF THE RECTOR MAJOR
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CHEERFUL AND SERENE EVEN THOUGH LIVING IN A WHEELCHAIR
The Message of the Rector Major, Cardinal Angel Fernandez Artime, SDB
Encounters on Epiphany with amazing people who have good hearts and luminous faith