(ANS – Bangkok) – From 25-28 February 2021, 35 members of the Secular Institute of the Daughters of the Queenship of Mary Immaculate gathered for the 4th Extraordinary Chapter at the Mother House of the Institute in Sathorn Road, Bangkok. The opening was graced by the presence of Cardinal Francis Xavier Kriengsak Kovitwanich, the Archbishop of the Catholic Diocese of Bangkok. He presided at the opening liturgical service and gave a homily.
Vatican City - November 28, 2020 - With that of November 28, Pope Francis presided over his seventh Consistory and created a total of 101 cardinals, 73 of whom currently sit among those with the right to vote in the Conclave. The thirteen new cardinals, who had been announced last October 25 at the end of the Angelus prayer, are: Mario Grech, Marcello Semeraro, Paolo Augusto Lojudice, Mauro Gambetti, Wilton D. Gregory, Antoine Kambanda, José F. Advincula, Celestino Aos Braco, Cornelius Sim, Felipe Arizmendi Esquivel, Silvano M. Tomasi, Enrico Feroci and Raniero Cantalamessa. The latter four, aged over 80, are non-voters.
(ANS - Santiago) - Last 27 September was the anniversary of the birth of Cardinal Raúl Silva Henríquez (1907-1999), an emblematic figure of the Chilean Church and society of the second half of the twentieth century. Lawyer, Salesian of Don Bosco and bishop, first as ordinary of the diocese of Valparaíso and then, for over twenty years, as archbishop of Santiago (1961-1983) and Primate of Chile. An ecclesial and civil figure of reference in a time of profound socio-cultural, political and economic changes in Chilean society and Church.
(ANS - Yangon) - Cardinal Charles Maung Bo, Salesian, archbishop of Yangon and President of the Federation of Asian Bishops' Conferences (FABC), retraced the months marked by the pandemic in Myanmar, underlining the constant commitment of the Church. In a report addressed to friends and benefactors, the Cardinal briefly explained what the main interventions of the Church have been in these difficult times.
(ANS - Hong Kong) - "On behalf of the Federation of Asian Bishops' Conferences, I call on Christians of all traditions and people of all faiths, throughout Asia and the world, to pray for Hong Kong, indeed for China and all her people, with great insistence." Thus began the heartfelt invitation to prayer of Cardinal Charles Maung Bo, Salesian, archbishop of Yangon and President of the Federation of Asian Bishops' Conferences (FABC).
Hong Kong - July 2020 - Last Saturday, July 4, the Salesian deacon Anthony Pun Ming Chi was ordained a priest in the church of Saint Anthony, the same where he was baptized, confirmed and where he served as an altar boy during his childhood and youth. Cardinal John Tong Hon, Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Hong Kong, presided over the ordination Mass, flanked by Cardinal Joseph Zen Ze Kiun, SDB, Bishop Emeritus of Hong Kong, Fr Joseph Ng Chi Yuen, Provincial of the “Mary Help of Christians Province” of China, and 27 Salesian, religious and diocesan priests. After Communion, two representatives of the youths shared the expectations of the newly ordained with the Salesians, hoping they and other Salesians will live the charism of St. John Bosco by accompanying young people and putting themselves at the service of society, especially in the difficult moment they are facing.
PHOTO GALLERY
INTERVIEWS
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RMG – “Do Elderly Salesians have a role in the Digital Culture?”The answer in the letter “Sharing wisdom and hope in digital culture” from the General Councillor for Social Communication
(ANS – Rome) – In view of the current digital reality, and due to the presence, especially in some regions of the Salesian world, of a large number of elderly Salesians, the General Councillor for Social Communication, Fr Gildasio Mendes, has decided to dedicate a special letter to them, entitled: "Sharing wisdom and hope in digital culture". Here is how he explains to ANS readers today the origins, significance and perspectives of this document.
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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Latin America – Strengthening Vocational and Educational Commitment Today: 30 Years of the Salesian School in Latin America(ANS) – Since the first meeting in Cumbayá (Ecuador), 30 years ago, educational processes on the continent have found a collaborative epicentre which has given rise to the Salesian School in (Latin) America – ESA, in Spanish – as a forum for reflection and a common path. Many Salesians of Don Bosco (SDB), Daughters of Mary Help of Christians (FMA) and other groups of the Salesian Family (SF) have enriched this synodal journey, focusing on young people and their integral development. What are today's demands of us in the educational field? How are we building the Salesian School of the future? Can we further strengthen this great Salesian educational network in America? Some FMAs and Salesians who were at the first meeting in 1994, share their experience and their vision of how this journey has allowed a growth in the understanding of the youth reality, in the strategic decisions within the Provinces themselves and in the challenges that emerge for Salesian education.
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.