(ANS – Vallecrosia) – The real estate confiscated from organised crime has been officially handed over to the community; a real estate complex located in the municipality of Bordighera, which will be used on behalf of disabled children, and a part of agricultural land located in the municipality of Vallecrosia, which will serve to promote courses for young people at the Don Bosco Institute and the Salesian Vocational Training Centre to acquire the skills also useful for job opportunities in agriculture, will be allocated for social purposes.
(ANS – Rome) – "Turning 18 for most young people is an eagerly awaited milestone, but for young people accepted into communities for minors it is a time of great anxiety and concern, because coming of age determines the end of many protection and support activities." Francesco Preite, President of Salesians for Social, an association which has spent 30 years alongside children and young people in fragile situations, stresses this as it launches an appeal to strengthen support services for young adults: "we cannot leave these young people alone, since they find themselves alone and without the protections guaranteed up until the day before. They are not yet adults, but they are already called upon to get by on their own.”
(ANS – Modica) – After a whole week of events involving the diocese of Noto, citizens in Modica and the local Salesian Family, on Saturday 2 March, the 17th anniversary of the death of Nino Baglieri, Volunteer with Don Bosco (CDB), a Eucharistic concelebration in memory of the Servant of God took place at the Mary Help of Christians parish in Modica.
(ANS – Turin) – The Salesian Family and all those who in Turin and not only deal with youth in difficulty are in mourning: Fr Domenico Ricca died on Saturday 2 March at the age of 77, a Salesian since 1964 and a priest since 1975 and historical chaplain of the Turin juvenile prison "Ferrante Aporti" since 1979.
(ANS – Milan) – The Launching of the National Exhibition of Masterpieces 2024 took place on Thursday, 29 February 2024, at 10:00 a.m. at the Salesian Saint Ambrose Institute in Milan. It was promoted by the National Headquarters of Centro Nazionale Opere Salesiane – Formazione Aggiornamento Professionale (CNOS-FAP). The guest of honour was Cardinal Ángel Fernández Artime, Rector Major of the Salesians, who indicated in a round table discussion how the most important thing for Don Bosco was always to prepare his boys for life, giving them another future perspective.
(ANS - Rome) - An invitation to look to the future with eyes of hope, to still believe in the possibilities of young people and their dreams, and to never stop finding ways and new tools to accompany them: this was the final message delivered to the participants who attended the conference presenting the book "Called to Love with Hope” - Salesian Strennas of FR ÁNGEL FERNÁNDEZ ARTIME, sdb", which took place on Thursday 29 February 2024 at the "Maria Santissima Bambina" Institute in Rome.
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.”