(ANS – Santa Rosa) – Truly, there is a lot of imagery brought by Christmas. Santa, lights, carols, and gifts have created the popular picture and culture that we all are very much a part of. This is far removed from the genuine root of Christmas, as our Catholic tradition, where we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. Angels heralded the news to shepherds in a field, who found him wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a humble manager. In that silent and cold night, in a very mundane and simple way, God came majestically to mankind. Then, as now, it is a time of revelation, awe, and joy.

(ANS - Úbeda) - The Salesian Province of Spain - Mary Help of Christians (SMX) has announced the passing of Salesian Fr. Antonio Rodríguez Tallón, which occurred unexpectedly in the early hours of Monday, Dec. 26, 2022. A member of the Congregation's General Council for 12 years from 1990 to 2002, the Salesian was 82 years of age, 66 years of religious life, and 56 years of priestly life.

(ANS - Rome) - The text of Strenna 2023: "AS THE YEAST IN TODAY'S HUMAN FAMILY. The Lay Dimension of the Family of Don Bosco," which, as the Rector Major explains, delves into the theme of the lay dimension of the Salesian Family: a family that always seeks to be faithful to the Lord in the "footsteps" of Don Bosco.

(ANS - Vatican City) - The Holy See releases the Spiritual Testament of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, dated 29 August 2006.

(ANS – New Rochelle) - Fr. Augustine Woon Taek Baek, SDB, died at 2:10 p.m. on December 30 at home, the Salesian Provincial Center, in New Rochelle. He was 64 years old and had been a professed Salesian of Don Bosco for 35 years and a priest for 27 years.