Junín de Los Andes, Argentina – January 2024 - 14 young Salesians from the America South Cone Region have come together at the Ceferino Namuncurá House in Junín de Los Andes in preparation for their Perpetual Profession. They belong to the Provinces of Brazil (BRE: 3, BSP: 2, BPA: 1, BMA: 2, BCG: 1), Paraguay (1), Chile (1), Ecuador (2) and Argentina (1). They are accompanied by the formation team made up of Fr Vicente Tirabasso (ARS), Fr Paulo Profilo (BSP) and Fr Félix Levín (CIL). In this meeting the young Salesians explore their own vocational history, discernment and motivations to strengthen their option to follow Christ in the style of Don Bosco. As part of this dynamic there are moments of prayer, fraternity and sharing based on the Constitutions, the Criteria and Norms, the Ritual of Profession and subjects related to religious life, but with an experiential methodology aimed at moving towards full humanisation and an integrated religious life. Junín de los Andes is a city in Argentine Patagonia that presents beautiful landscapes where you can contemplate the Andean chain and, in a Salesian way, you can find the fruits of Salesian youthful holiness, through the history of young Blesseds Ceferino Namuncurá and Laura Vicuña.
Alta Gracia, Argentina – January 2024 – On 6 January a large crowd gathered to accompany the Three Kings from the Don Bosco Oratory to the Estancia esplanade. The enthusiasm of the little ones was evident, gathered with their families to receive the Kings in Alta Gracia. The Salesian oratory has been in charge of this event for 82 years, working in coordination with the Municipality. Two floats accompanied the trip of the three kings, which took place from the oratory to the centre of the city, where the artists put on a show on the esplanade at the Jesuit Estate, with Christmas carols and other songs performed by tenors Luis Lima and Sebastián Spina, accompanied by dancers and guest singers. The arrival of the Three Kings is always a celebration for all citizens, families are eagerly waiting for them and the little ones are happy to receive various sweets and biscuits from their hands.
Rosario, Argentina - 21 December 2023 - The Salesian San José Institute in Rosario, belonging to the Salesian Province of Argentina-North (ARN), celebrated its 17th Biennial Expo with great enthusiasm. The educational event offered the community the opportunity to share the daily activities carried out by the more than 2,000 students through their workshops and laboratories. The Expo Biennial brought together more than 10,000 visitors who explored the various stands throughout the two days, where students and teachers of all grades proudly presented their projects. For the visitors, this experience was exciting; they discovered the talent and creativity of the young students. From technological innovations to artistic and cultural expressions, the exhibition offered a wide variety of works, including: electronic systems focused on automation and control, applications of industrial electromechanical systems, kart construction and commissioning, implementations of systems based on renewable energy sources, web and hardware platform-oriented software projects, and technology projects. Thanks to the large participation of the public, sponsors and civil authorities, the San José Institute has consolidated its prominent position in the city.
(ANS – Buenos Aires) – In the early hours of Monday, 18 December, Fr Darío Perera, Superior of the Blessed Ceferino Namuncurá Province of Southern Argentina (ARS), sent a statement to the provincial community to express his solidarity with the Salesian communities affected by the heavy rains and storms that affected the area of the Capital, Buenos Aires, last weekend.
La Rioja, Argentina - December 2023 - A meeting was held on the theme "Initial Literacy: challenges and opportunities" at the National University of La Rioja (UNLaR). This initiative, jointly organised by the Angelelli Salesian house belonging to the Salesian Province of Northern Argentina (ARN) and the "Argentinos por la Educación" organisation, had as its central objective to address the problem of literacy from a strategic approach. During the meeting, which is part of the national campaign for literacy, topics such as the current diagnosis, current initiatives and strategies to improve the literacy landscape in the country were discussed. The initiative seeks to coordinate efforts between educational institutions, social organisations and local government agencies to influence the formulation of effective education policies. The Salesian Angelelli House in La Rioja plays a crucial role; its socio-educational proposal benefits more than 1,000 boys, girls, adolescents, young adults and adults, posing a significant challenge: to educate and evangelise, so that each person can fully exercise their right to education.
Bahía Blanca, Argentina – December 2023 - The first meeting of the organising committee of the American Salesian Missionary Congress on the Spirituality of Indigenous Peoples, to be held in Buenos Aires in 2025, took place at the headquarters of the Salesian University (UNISAL) rectorate in the city of Bahía Blanca. The congress is part of one of the formation initiatives within the framework of the various activities that will be carried out that year to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the arrival of the First Missionary Expedition in Argentina, sent by Don Bosco himself in 1875. Convened by the Delegate for the Missions of the Province of Argentina South, Fr Francisco Chimento, this committee aims to organise the congress in all its phases. The event, which will take place from 5-8 May 2025, aims to bring together all the missionary experiences of America on the basis of a theology of the mission and spirituality of indigenous peoples. The Salesian House of Higher Education (UNISAL and Juan 23) has been asked to accompany the congress academically. In these early discussions among the members of the committee, "interculturality" is described as the concept that missiology offers us today. In the same way, the scientific world, through the social sciences, has much to offer evangelisation in mission. The organising committee set a series of objectives to be achieved in the short term in order to define the main presentations, the dissemination and the most appropriate place to receive the one hundred participants from all the Salesian Provinces of America.
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.”