(ANS - Rome) - On the occasion of the 400th anniversary of the death of Francis de Sales, the Pontifical Salesian University (UPS) is organizing an international conference to celebrate his legacy. St. Francis de Sales influenced the history of spirituality and religious life not only through his writings but also through his own way of life. And not only during his lifetime, but until today, and this is the reason why it is worthwhile to study his legacy for the benefit of today’s Church and spiritual life.
(ANS - Palermo) - Evangelizing and educating is like saying heart and proclamation. These are the keywords of the seminar to be held Friday, 13 May, and Saturday, May 14, in Palermo, organized by the Don Bosco School "Villa Ranchibile" to celebrate the Fourth Centenary of the death of St. Francis de Sales. The thematic node of the seminar, "From the intuition of St. Francis de Sales to the challenges of post-modernity: evangelize and educate" has its foundation in the Saint's phrase, "Nothing through constraint, all through love," taken as the diamond of the insights from specialists, bishops, and students.
(ANS - Rome) - At the end of the month of April lived in the light of Easter, the Sector for Formation of the Salesian Congregation proposes the second of a series of five videos on St. Francis de Sales, presented in a pastoral perspective. While the first had as its theme the human explained by God (accessible here in Italian, English, Spanish, French, and Portuguese), this second focuses on "Salesian gentleness."
(ANS - Trapani) - From April 22 to 25, 2022, the National Convention of "ALOS", the Lay Association associated with the Congregation of the Salesian Oblates of the Sacred Heart (SOSC - IX group of the Salesian Family) was held in Trapani. The conference entitled "The Servant of God Monsignor Giuseppe Cognata. A light of hope for us today", narrated the story and the message of the Salesian Bishop, founder of the SOSC, whose 50th anniversary of death falls this year.
(ANS - Rome) - As usual, on the 24th of the month, we offer ANS readers one of the articles by the General Councilor for Social Communication, Fr Gildasio Mendes, on the theme "Saint Francis de Sales Communicator. Inner Pilgrimage, Wisdom in the Art of Communicating." For April, we publish the series’ fourth article below.
(ANS - Rome) - At the beginning of Lent, a parish community asked if there was a Stations of the Cross with reflections taken from the texts of Saint Francis de Sales. Thanks to the collaboration of Fr Paolo Mojoli, from Cremisan, for the texts, and of Prof. Elena Cristino, for the graphics, both a Stations of the Cross and a Way of Light were created, with the biblical passages that mark the respective 14 stations and with ideas taken from the writings of Francesco de Sales. They are not direct comments on the Gospel episodes but are short extracts from his writings, designed to accompany the reflection and prayer of the journey of the cross and of the Easter icons that are contemplated in the Via Lucis.
PHOTO GALLERY
INTERVIEWS
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RMG – “Do Elderly Salesians have a role in the Digital Culture?”The answer in the letter “Sharing wisdom and hope in digital culture” from the General Councillor for Social Communication
(ANS – Rome) – In view of the current digital reality, and due to the presence, especially in some regions of the Salesian world, of a large number of elderly Salesians, the General Councillor for Social Communication, Fr Gildasio Mendes, has decided to dedicate a special letter to them, entitled: "Sharing wisdom and hope in digital culture". Here is how he explains to ANS readers today the origins, significance and perspectives of this document.
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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Latin America – Strengthening Vocational and Educational Commitment Today: 30 Years of the Salesian School in Latin America(ANS) – Since the first meeting in Cumbayá (Ecuador), 30 years ago, educational processes on the continent have found a collaborative epicentre which has given rise to the Salesian School in (Latin) America – ESA, in Spanish – as a forum for reflection and a common path. Many Salesians of Don Bosco (SDB), Daughters of Mary Help of Christians (FMA) and other groups of the Salesian Family (SF) have enriched this synodal journey, focusing on young people and their integral development. What are today's demands of us in the educational field? How are we building the Salesian School of the future? Can we further strengthen this great Salesian educational network in America? Some FMAs and Salesians who were at the first meeting in 1994, share their experience and their vision of how this journey has allowed a growth in the understanding of the youth reality, in the strategic decisions within the Provinces themselves and in the challenges that emerge for Salesian education.
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.