Alessandria, Italy - June 2019 - At the Don Bosco Oratory in Alessandria, the "Estate Ragazzi" summer camp is in full swing. Accompanied by three Salesians, animators and several parents, around 300 young people are involved in the numerous activities designed for the summer period. Young people and children participate in games, cooking classes, theme nights, trips outside the city and much more. The activities, which started last June 10, will continue until July 26 and then from September 2 to 6.
(ANS - Aleppo) - The Salesians in Syria have been able to transform the ordinary into the extraordinary. On rare occasions the Salesian centers of Aleppo and Damascus have had to close, due to the likely danger that bombs and missiles would fall in the midst of the multitude of minors who attend the oratory, which has always been for them an "oasis of peace" in the middle of the ongoing war.
(ANS - Salta) - "The Salesian," said Pope Francis, "is an educator who embraces the fragility of children who live on the margins of society and without a future; he bends over their wounds and heals them like a good Samaritan.” The words of the Holy Father become reality in the different parts of the world in which a Salesian finds himself. As part of the celebrations for the month of Mary Help of Christians, the three Salesian houses in Salta made an important gesture of solidarity and extended the oratory to the whole city.
(ANS - Madrid) - The Confederation of Don Bosco Youth Centers, Salesians and Daughters of Mary Help of Christians of Spain, presents "Pasaporte 0,0", a program to prevent the consumption of alcoholic beverages by minors.
(ANS - Damascus) - In two video-documentaries the Salesians of the Middle East have brought together their experiences in Syria in recent years, particularly in the oratories of Damascus, Kafroun and Aleppo, and in Lebanon, in the oratory of El Hessoun and in the Al Fidar Vocational Training Center.
(ANS - Cordoba) - Salesian presences do not go on holiday: every year, thousands of boys, girls and animators enjoy the summer doing formative and oratorial experiences in the various Salesian centers of the Salesian "Blessed Artemide Zatti" Province of Northern Argentina (ARN). The proposals are as varied as the tastes and needs of each community and each young person.
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.”