(ANS - České Budějovice) - Salesians and their collaborators in České Budějovice, Czech Republic, are preparing three summer camps for young Ukrainian refugees. After their extraordinarily painful experiences over the past four months, this is not a luxury, but a necessity.
(ANS - Bratislava) - The time of summer is getting closer and closer and so, all those activities that under various names - GREST, oratory or summer center, or camp - are about to start, activities that throughout the Salesian world mean a time to grow together for: religious, volunteers, animators and animated. This year, following the outbreak of the war in Ukraine, in many realities throughout Europe specific activities are already being organized for Ukrainian refugee children abroad. This is the case, for example, of the "Mary Help of Christians" Province of Slovakia (SLK).
Tijuana, Mexico - July 2021 - Under the motto "With hope we transform our reality", for three weeks the complex of works of the "Proyecto Salesiano Tijuana" brought together more than 900 children, adolescents and young people in the city's six Salesian centers. This year's program of the "Happy Holidays with Jesus" initiative (VAFEJE, in Spanish) was spiced with joy, games, sports and moments of spirituality. On the last day, Friday 23 July, all the participants gathered to close this experience together. Subsequently, the more than 100 activity animators gathered for a day of evaluation and sharing on the initiative, culminating in a Eucharist presided over by Fr Agustín Novoa, Director of the "Proyecto Salesiano Tijuana".
Vienna, Austria - July 28, 2021 - The week of summer activities of the Salesian Czech-speaking Cooperators in Grossarl ended with great satisfaction on the part of all. Children and young people managed the special situation – due to the anti-COVID-19 health regulations - with maturity and optimism, and each of the 50 people collaborated to ensure that everything went well.
(ANS - Vilnius) – Again this summer, despite the great limitations due to the containment measures of the Covid-19 pandemic, the Salesian oratory in the capital of Lithuania, Vilnius, wanted to offer children and young people an intense educational and leisure for the summer months. The Summer Day Center held for a few weeks at the "St. John Bosco" church in Vilnius attracted great interest, with the registration of more than 350 children, many of whom came from various parts of the city.
(ANS - Vatican City) - On Friday 30 July 2021, the adventure of the Youth Summer Camp in the Vatican ended after six weeks, a second edition dedicated to the theme of Ecology, following the reflections proposed by the booklet "Sei dei nostra!" (Elledici publishing house). Again this year, the initiative took place in environments not designated for educational and play activities for children, but the transformation of places such as the "Paul VI" Hall for papal audiences proved to be a wonderful solution that favored a exceptional climate of interaction and education.
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.”