100 Years for God and the World: Volunteers of Don Bosco (VDB)
(Rome - May 18, 2017) - May 20, 2017 will be a day of celebration for the entire Salesian Family: the Institute of the Volunteers of Don Bosco (VDB) will be celebrating 100 years of life. The Volunteers (VDB), founded by Fr Philip Rinaldi in 1917 in Turin, now number around 1200 and are present in 58 countries around the world.
This group of the Salesian Family had its origin one hundred years ago in the desire of three young women who wanted to be like the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians while still living and serving in their own environment: in work, in family, in society ... They sought a way of living the Salesian charism that Don Bosco himself desired.
The VDBs are women consecrated to God with evangelical counsels, to be prophetic signs in the heart of the world, in the Salesian spirit. They are both secular and consecrated: a binomial that allows them to work and be witnesses in ordinary places and activities with a heart free and passionate about God and the world. Though they take vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience, they do not live in communities and do not run their own works.
They are actively present in the most diverse environments, and they seek to seize and enhance the signs of good that exist in society. They are open to dialogue and listening, attentive to the least and most marginalized in society, especially young people and their needs and aspirations. They work creatively and humbly, trying to be "leaven and salt" wherever they are.
Through their membership in the Institute, the VDBs are part of the Salesian Family and live the Salesian charism through their apostolate with young people, especially the most needy, by fulfilling their mission inspired by love for Jesus and trust in Mary.
From 19 to 21 May, at Valdocco in Turin, in the Basilica of Mary Help of Christians, there will be celebrations in the presence of representatives of the 31 groups that are part of the great Salesian Family.
This celebration of the Centenary of the VDB presents itself as a special occasion for the Institute to thank God for the gift of this vocation inspired by the Holy Spirit.
For further information, visit: http://www.volontariedonbosco.org/en/
PHOTO GALLERY
INTERVIEWS
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Italy – A Salesian on the front line of the war in Ukraine: "Being close counts, words come later"(ANS - Rome) - As he tells with a gentleness that does not seem to come from horror, he is "resting a little bit" in Rome these days. Fr Oleh Ladnyuk is a Ukrainian Salesian priest who is a military chaplain at the front, among the soldiers who fight in defence of their country and among the civilians who for over two years have seen their lives wiped out. He brings humanitarian aid where the missiles fall and from those places he helps with the evacuation of young people and adults - so far at least 500 people, but there are probably many more. These days the Salesian – who carries out his ministry in Dnipro and teaches History in a state school in the city – is in Rome to take part with two other priests and a dozen lay people from his country in the "Accompanying when Trauma Hits" course hosted by the Pontifical Salesian University in collaboration with the Faculty of Educational Sciences, with the DON BOSCO NEL MONDO Foundation and the Don Bosco Network. A project that aims to provide theoretical and methodological tools to deal with the traumas caused by war.
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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United States – INT’L DAY FOR STREET CHILDREN: Salesian Missions highlights programs that provide shelter and support(ANS – New Rochelle) – Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco, joins humanitarian and international organizations around the globe in highlighting the plight of homeless children on the International Day for Street Children. The day provides organizations and the millions of street children in countries worldwide with an opportunity to have their voices heard while ensuring that their rights are not ignored.
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.