(ANS - Vatican City) – The Ordinary Public Consistory at St. Peter’s Square this morning, 30 September 2023, was indeed a celebration of the universality of the Church and a renewal of the thrust of evangelization, during which the Rector Major of the Salesians of Don Bosco, Fr Ángel Fernández Artime, was officially created Cardinal.
Vatican City, Vatican - 30 September 2023 - This morning, during the Ordinary Public Consistory, Pope Francis bestowed the cardinal's biretta and ring on Salesian Cardinal Ángel Fernández Artime, assigning him the Diacony of Santa Maria Ausiliatrice in Via Tuscolana.
(ANS – Vatican City) - On Wednesday 27 September the lead characters in the documentary "Canillitas", produced by Misiones Salesianas, the Salesian Mission Office, Madrid, were part of Pope Francis' general audience in St Peter's Square in Rome and had the opportunity to greet the Holy Father. Moisés, one of the children starring in the short film directed by Raúl de la Fuente, gave the Pope a letter and a drawing made by the beneficiaries of the "Canillitas con Don Bosco" program in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, while Karen Montás, educator and director of the program, gave him a DVD of the documentary. The Pope sent his greetings to all the child labourers cared for by the Salesians.
Pope Francis was in Portugal for six days on the occasion of World Youth Day (WYD) Lisbon 2023. There were many speeches, homilies, greetings and blessings to the "wave of young people" who participated in the WYD in Lisbon 2023. In the October edition, the Salesian Bulletin collected the ten quotes that were particularly striking.
Marseilles, France - September 2023 - On 23 September Pope Francis concluded the "Rencontres Méditerranéennes" in Marseilles and before bishops, politicians, young people and French President Emmanuel Macron he became the voice of the "stifled cry" of so many migrants. During his long and substantial speech, Pope Francis called, among other things, for the migration phenomenon to be regulated with European responsibility. The Pontiff delivered a targeted message in these days of uncontrolled landings, and these years of continuous shipwrecks: "The solution to the terrible scourge of the exploitation of human beings is not to refuse, but to ensure, according to the possibilities of each person, a large number of legal and regular entries, sustainable thanks to a fair reception by the European continent, in the context of cooperation with the countries of origin." Commenting on the closure of several Mediterranean ports, Pope Francis said: "Those who risk their lives at sea are not invading, they are seeking a welcome, they are seeking life. As far as the emergency is concerned, the migratory phenomenon is not so much a momentary urgency, which is always good for spreading alarmist propaganda, but a fact of our time, a process that involves three continents around the Mediterranean and that must be managed with wise foresight: with a European responsibility capable of facing the objective difficulties."
Fonte: Vatican News
Vatican City, Vatican - September 2023 - The new catechetical year is about to begin in parishes throughout Italy and after the Angelus prayer on 10 September, Pope Francis blessed the Elledici initiative, the Salesian publishing company which "today is giving people in St Peter's Square a booklet for catechesis entitled 'Step by Step': it is a beautiful gift!" The Pope took the opportunity "to thank the catechists for their valuable work and to wish the boys and girls attending catechism the joy of meeting Jesus." "Step by Step" is an original catechetical project that accompanies families in the Christian education of their children aged 7-12. It is designed for today's children, young people and families, tested extensively by catechists and parish priests, and put together with an innovative and engaging methodology. It is based on workshops and activities for children and young people, parents and catechists, structured in 6 interactive aids and 6 guides for the catechist.
Alessandro Di Bussolo
Vatican News
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.”