BOOKS

As we celebrate the 400th anniversary of St Francis de Sales, it is timely to ask the question: Why did St John Bosco call us, the Society of St Francis de Sales? In his book, Live Jesus, Fr Eunan Mc Donnell SDB, Provincial of St Patrick’s Province, Ireland, explores the direct and indirect influences of St Francis de Sales on St John Bosco. However, he moves beyond this to trace the spiritual affinity that exists between these two great saints. This spiritual affinity can be summed up in the Salesian dictum: Live Jesus! This naturally provokes the question: is there a Salesian way of living the Gospel?

The Salesians of Don Bosco of the Province of St. Philip the Apostle, located in the Eastern United States and Canada (SUE) and with headquarters in New Rochelle, New York, have developed a two-year formation program containing 16 sessions for collaborators in Churches, schools, retreat centres, youth clubs, camps, youth ministry programs, and young adult outreach. SUE Province has recently published the unique formation manual, called properly “Hearts Present & Joyful”.

Father Ricopar Royan, Rector of Don Bosco School of Excellence, Coimbatore, and the South Asia Regional Coordinator of "Don Bosco Green Alliance", has authored the book. Taking inspiration from Pope Francis' Laudato Si, the book is about Jesus, the environmental crisis and human behaviour. The book invites us to look at the gazes of Jesus in today's ecological context and draw wisdom for the right perspectives and green living.

The Gift of Fiction

“I am happy to present Robert Falzon’s book, The Gift of Fiction. It is a beautiful and creative proposal for exploiting the spiritual potential of non-religious fiction – a real gift to all those involved in ministering to young adults. The affirmation of continuity between non-religious fiction and spiritual growth is exciting for anyone involved in ministry in a postmodern and secularized world. Non-religious fiction, as Robert affirms, is really about life. In a world that has been redeemed, life – all of it – is where we can expect to find God’s footprints. […] I come back to The Gift of Fiction to say thank you to Robert for this lovely and gentle new opening in youth ministry in a world that is sometimes brave and often also bleak, but that is in fact ‘charged with the grandeur of God.’” Fr. Ivo Coelho SDB – General Councillor for Formation, in the Foreword of the book.

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InfoANS

ANS - “Agenzia iNfo Salesiana” is a on-line almost daily publication, the communication agency of the Salesian Congregation enrolled in the Press Register of the Tibunal of Rome as n 153/2007.

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