(ANS - Port-au-Prince) - Four young people from different countries brought the testimonies of the eight saints and blessed patrons of WYD in Panama 2019 to Pope Francis. It was last January 24 and the honor of presenting the "Father and Master of Youth", St. Giovanni Bosco, fell to a young man from Haiti, Jackson François.
I listened to the testimonies of dozens of young people during World Youth Day and the wonderful celebration of Don Bosco’s feast day in Panama (with the most multitudinous procession that I’ve ever seen in my life). These young people recounted so many more stories from their lives of how they were looked upon with a “special” gaze – that of the Lord.
(ANS - Rome) - The latest video recorded by the Rector Major for the quarterly column "Cari Confratelli, or Dear Confreres" is available online today, Thursday 28 February. Made during the World Youth Day (WYD) in Panama, it is a warm call to the Salesians to live, following the example of Don Bosco, in total dedication to the young.
(ANS - Panama City) – “Let me tell you—life is complicated, crazy, and really surprising. During our tourist day in Panama, we bumped into the Rector Major, Fr. Ángel Fernández Artime. Earlier in the week we heard him answer questions from young people around the world along with Mother Yvonne. We ran into him later at the Salesian festival and took a group picture after greeting him. These moments were brief and enough!”
(ANS - Panama City) - The Salesian media company "Don Bosco IMAGE", based in Kochi, India, won the Best Film Award in the category "Missionary Spirit" at the "Goodness Reigns Film Festival", a film festival that took place in Panama, as part of the 2019 World Youth Day, and which aims to promote the creation of faith-based media and art. The award-winning documentary, namely I was hungry, you gave me to eat, tells the poignant story of the people affected by the drought in Korr, Kenya, and has as its hero a mentally-challenged girl.
(ANS - City of Panama) – During the World Youth Day, the Basilica of Don Bosco in Panama permanently hosted 1,500 young people, welcomed the leaders of the Salesian Youth Movement in their Forum and was a pilgrimage destination for thousands of young people from around the world. Currently the Rector Major, Fr Ángel Fernández Artime, is guiding the triduum in preparation for the Feast of Don Bosco. On Thursday 31, he will celebrate the solemn Mass. The Director, Fr Josè Francisco Romulo Gallegos, speaks to us about this center, symbolic across the continent.
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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Myanmar – Tragedy of Innocent Children in the midst of Armed Conflicts(ANS – Naypyidaw) - Myanmar finds itself immersed in profound grief and anguish as innocent lives, particularly those of children, continue to be mercilessly lost in the enduring armed conflicts. Families are left devastated by the tragic loss of their loved ones while the relentless violence shows no signs of abating. This week, a heartfelt plea from Myanmar reached our community, shedding light on the heart-wrenching death of a young girl Juliet in a military airstrike, prompting a unified call for prayers and action.
EVENTS
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Italy – "Education and culture of safeguarding in sport. Towards the establishment of protection and prevention models": PGS conference with UPS(ANS – Rome) – The synergy between the Salesian Youth Sports Centres (PGS) and the Pontifical Salesian University (UPS) in Rome gave rise to the conference on "Education and culture of safeguarding in sport. Towards the establishment of models of protection and prevention", which will take place on 13 April, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:45 p.m., at the UPS facilities in Rome.
SPECIAL REPORTS
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United States – INT’L DAY FOR STREET CHILDREN: Salesian Missions highlights programs that provide shelter and support(ANS – New Rochelle) – Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco, joins humanitarian and international organizations around the globe in highlighting the plight of homeless children on the International Day for Street Children. The day provides organizations and the millions of street children in countries worldwide with an opportunity to have their voices heard while ensuring that their rights are not ignored.
MESSAGES OF THE RECTOR MAJOR
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I’M A SALESIAN AND I’M A BOROROTHE MESSAGE OF THE RECTOR MAJOR, Fr Ángel Fernández Artime, SDB
Diary of a Happy and Blessed Missionary Day
Dear friends , I’m writing to you from Meruri in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil. I write this greeting almost as if it were a journalistic report, because it has been only 24 hours since I arrived in the middle of this Brazilian state.