(ANS – Rome) – The Rector Major of the Salesians of Don Bosco, Fr Ángel Fernández Artime, will arrive tomorrow, 2 September 2023, in the city that saw the growth of Jesus to maturity within the Holy Family. The Rector Major will celebrate the Centenary of the Consecration of the Basilica of Adolescent Jesus in Nazareth which took place on 6 September 1923, and on Sunday the 3rd he will celebrate a solemn Mass of thanksgiving in the Basilica for this important anniversary.
(ANS – Meruri) – On Saturday 15 July, the community at Meruri gathered to celebrate the 47th anniversary of the death of the Servants of God Fr Rudolf Lunkenbein, a Salesian German missionary, and indigenous member Simão Bororo, a catechist. The event, marked by moments of faith and devotion, sought to honour the two martyrs who left a legacy of love and service to the community as their testimony.
(ANS Brasília) – The first group of Salesians arrived in Brazil, in Rio de Janeiro on 14 July 1883, destined to start “a broad movement on behalf of youth”.
(ANS – Las Palmas de Gran Canaria) – The Spanish municipality of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria has awarded its City Gold Medal to the Salesians, in the year of their centenary presence in the city, in recognition of the Salesian commitment to education, social integration, solidarity and their ongoing vocation to serve. The medal ceremony took place on the evening of Friday, 23 June 2023, in the Teatro Pérez Galdós, as part of the institutional ceremony of the Honours and Distinctions awarded by the municipality to 25 personalities and institutions who, through their work, have contributed to the development of the capital of Gran Canaria and its people.
(ANS – Cambados) – The Salesians in Cambados, Galicia, are celebrating their 75th anniversary during 2023. The final festivities for this commemoration will take place in November, but celebrations are scattered throughout the year. Last May, a Literary and Intelligence Competition was held. On Saturday, 17 June, the Past Pupils celebration took place, a ceremony in honour of all past pupils from the school – including, moreover, the current Rector Major of the Salesians of Don Bosco, Fr Ángel Fernández Artime, and the international singer-songwriter and composer Amancio Prada.
(ANS – Przemyśl) – The Przemyśl Region Museum hosted a conference on 3 and 4 June 2023, dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the foundation of St Joseph’s Salesian parish in Przemyśl.
PHOTO GALLERY
INTERVIEWS
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Democratic Republic of Congo – Fr Owoudou on the situation in the eastern parts of the country: “No matter how dark the night may seem, dawn will inevitably come”
(ANS - Goma) - During his latest phase of the Extraordinary Visit to the "Mary Most Holy Assumption" Province of Central Africa (AFC), Fr. Alphonse Owoudou, Councillor for the Africa Madagascar Region, conducted an interview with the magazine "JAMBO VIJANA," representing the youth engaged in the Salesian works of the Province's Eastern Delegation. Addressing the ongoing violence and conflicts in the region, Fr. Owoudou expressed hope, saying: "No matter the length of the night, dawn will inevitably come."
EDITORIAL
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“Speaking with the Heart”: A great Antidote for the Ills of today’s world
‘Revolutionize the world with your kindness, by speaking with your heart’, is the dream that Pope Francis envisions for humanity through his 57th World Communication Day message, that falls on this Ascension Sunday, 21st May 2023. ‘Speak with your heart in truth and charity’, and this is the best antidote that can cure the ills of today’s society.
EVENTS
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Italy – "Labs To Future": the final event of the "Labs To Learn" project in Valdocco
(ANS – Turin) – The final event of the "Labs to Learn" project was held on Tuesday, 5 March 2024, entitled "Labs To Future: The path – The results – The challenges" . The project was selected by the "Con i Bambini" social enterprise within the framework of the Foundation for the Fight against Child Educational Poverty and came into being with the intention of combating early school leaving and preventing educational poverty, increasing the number of young people with difficulties who fulfil their school obligation, access higher education and/or job placement, and opening the way for personal growth according to their inclinations and aspirations.
SPECIAL REPORTS
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Peru – Centenary of the High Altar of the Basilica of Mary Help of Christians in Lima
(ANS – Lima) – The centenary of the consecration of the high altar in the Crypt of the Basilica of Mary Help of Christians in Lima was celebrated on 19 March, on the feast of St Joseph and in homage to Fr José Calasanz Marqués, then Provincial of the Salesians in Peru and Bolivia – now recognised as Blessed by the Church – on account of his name.
MESSAGES OF THE RECTOR MAJOR
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DREAMS THAT KEEP COMING TRUE!
THE MESSAGE OF THE RECTOR MAJOR, Card. Ángel Fernández Artime, SDB
When reflecting on all this, I feel I have a little authority to say: “Dear Don Bosco, your Dream is still VERY ALIVE.”