(ANS – Heverlee) – “Don Bosco Youth-Net ivzw” (DBYN), the European network of Salesian youth organisations, and its partners announce a new project for youth and the promotion of values such as intercultural and interreligious dialogue, inclusion, environmental protection and civic engagement - without forgetting spirituality and the recovery of ancient traditions and cultural elements common to the Old Continent. This is very much a Salesian project in that it focuses on young people, their energy and their ability to engage for a better world, and is entitled: "Young Pilgrims of Hope".
(ANS - Viedma) - With the motto "In prayer with Zatti, we are mission", the 10th Pilgrimage in honour of Artemide Zatti took place on the weekend of 9 and 10 March 2024 in Viedma, in the Argentine province of Río Negro, in commemoration of the 73rd anniversary of his death on 15 March 1951.
(ANS – Rome) – The stage of the preparation in view of the 2025 Jubilee at Rome for the consecrated men and women ended on Sunday, 4 February 2024. Comprising various significant moments, including the pilgrimage to the Salesian Basilica of the Sacred Heart in Rome, it gathered about 400 religious from all over the world, who received from the Holy Father the specific mandate to be “signs of reconciliation among people” where God has called them to work.
(ANS - Rome) - The Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in Rome had the unique grace of welcoming over 400 religious from all over the world who had come to Rome to participate in a pilgrimage "on the road to peace" aimed at renewing the commitment of religious to reconciliation and peace.
(ANS – Rome) – The Sacred Heart of Jesus Basilica in Rome is preparing to receive, on Saturday, 3 February 2024, over 400 religious from all over the world who have come to Rome to participate in a pilgrimage "on the path of peace" – aimed at renewing the commitment of religious for reconciliation and peace. The pilgrimage will start and end at the Salesian Basilica of the Sacred Heart, and will be carried out on the sidelines of the 28th World Day of Consecrated Life (2 February 2024) and as part of a broader process of preparation of consecrated men and women for the Holy Year of 2025.
Kyushu, Japan – November 2023 – The pilgrimage that saw students, teachers and Dean of the Tang King Po School in Hong Kong travel to Fukuoka and Nagasaki, on the island of Kyushu, Japan, has just ended. These were intense days during which the group visited ten churches, including the Chapel of “Mary the Survivor”, which preserves relics that miraculously survived the atomic bombing, the natural site of Unzen Jigoku, the Museum and Monument of the 26 Martyrs and the Museum of the atomic bomb in Nagasaki. This pilgrimage was an opportunity to learn more about Japanese history and culture. It was an experience that helped to reflect on the sacrifices made by early Christian missionaries and recalled the importance of cherishing the faith even in the face of adversity. By coming into contact with a different culture, it enriched the understanding of the Christian faith in a different cultural context.
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.”