(ANS - Schio) - Today, Wednesday 27 October, the "Don Bosco" oratory in Schio is exactly 120 years old. And it is still a point of reference for young people and all citizens, a garrison that attracts boys and girls and that which removes them all risk of deviance. Strengthened by its prestigious past, it is preparing to renew itself, to offer an even better service to the city’s most needy young people.
(ANS – Rome) – An International Convention dedicated to Fr Paul Albera, Don Bosco's 2nd successor at the head of the Congregation, will take place on 30 – 31 October to commemorate the first centenary of his death (as he died at Turin-Valdocco, 29 October 1921). Promoted and organized by the Salesian Historical Institute (ISS) and the Salesian Pontifical University (UPS) in this special year that the Rector Major has dedicated to Fr Albera, the conference will be held in mixed mode, with participation in physical presence at UPS and via live streaming with English translation of the work shops.
(ANS - Seville) – On the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the "San Juan Bosco" Institute, celebrated in the 2019-2020 academic year, the University of Seville awarded the "Manuel Sales y Ferré" prize to the Salesian school for "the merits and exceptional services rendered by those people and institutions who have distinguished themselves in favor of culture". Not being able to award it at that time due to the pandemic, the prize will be delivered tomorrow, Tuesday 26 October, at 19:30, at the University itself, in a ceremony of homage to Salesian education that will be open to all those who wish to participate.
(ANS - Cinisello Balsamo) - Friday 22 October is the 26th death anniversary of venerable Maria Cristina Cella Mocellin, wife and mother of a family, Past pupil of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians. On this occasion, the "Holy Family" parish community of Cinisello Balsamo (Milano), her hometown, and the parish community of San Nazario, Valbrenta (VI), where she settled down after her wedding, will celebrate Mass in their respective centers to pray in remembrance of the Venerable.
(ANS – Minsk) – Thanks to the first Salesian priest Ludwik Gostylla, who arrived on Belarussian territory in 1921 to sow the seeds of Salesian charism here, that today’s generation of St. John Bosco’s sons and daughters have a unique possibility to celebrate 100th anniversary of the Salesian presence in 2021.
(ANS - Las Piedras) - As part of the celebrations for the 140th anniversary of the Salesian school of Saint Isidore, in Las Piedras, Uruguay, a "Forest of Hope" was inaugurated on Wednesday 13 October in the Héctor Ellis Park. The event was attended by Fr Alfonso Bauer, Provincial of Uruguay, together with the departmental authorities, the representatives of the Heritage Committee, the inspectors for the Primary School, namely Lourdes Bardino and Mario Ibarra, and the delegations of local, public and private educational institutions.
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.