(ANS – Bangkok) – On 21 March 2024, members of the Salesian Family of Thailand shared a fraternal meeting with Fr. Joan Lluís Playà, Delegate of the Rector Major for the Salesian Family, and Bro. Dominic Nguyen Nam, SDB, Salesian Brother and the Rector Major's Delegate for the Past Pupils and Salesian Cooperators.
Wisła, Poland – March 2024 – Last weekend (8-10 March) the first Lenten retreat of the Young Salesian Cooperators of the Krakow Province (PLS), from Oświęcim, Staniątki and Zabrze, was held in Wisła. During the three days, led by Fr Andrzej Król, SDB, the participants reflected on Eucharistic Pedagogy, discussing the sacraments of Penance and the Eucharist seen through the eyes of St John Bosco. It was a meeting full of fruitful conversations and mutual reinforcement. There was no lack of joy and time to mix together during an evening of celebration, a trip to the mountains and making music together.
Photo: Manuela Wieczorek
(ANS – Kigali) – In the last days of February, immediately after the Team Visit to the Africa-Madagascar Region, the Salesian Family Provincial Delegates of the Salesians of Don Bosco (SDB) and the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians (FMA) gathered in Kigali, the Capital of Rwanda, together with the Representatives of the other groups of the Africa-Madagascar Region. The Kigali meeting was the seventh of its kind to be held globally, each of them dedicated to a different Region of the Salesian Family.
(ANS – Kigali) – At the end of the General Visit to the Africa-Madagascar Region, a regional meeting of Delegates and representatives of the Salesian Family was held in Kigali, Rwanda. The Regional Councillor, Fr Alphonse Owoudou, spoke today about this meeting and the state of the Salesian Family in the Region.
(ANS – Rome) – In the second appointment of the journey towards the Communication 2024 Conference "Shaping Tomorrow", scheduled to take place from 1 to 7 August 2024 at the Pontifical Salesian University (UPS) in Rome, the Congregation's Sector for Social Communication suggests a proactive and attentive look at how to prepare the future of communication in the Salesian Family already now. Let us read it together.
(ANS - Kampala) – A truly historic moment for the 11th Group of the Salesian Family, Caritas Sisters of Jesus, was the first profession of their first African members, in Namugongo formation house, in Kampala, Uganda, last February 2, 2024.
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.”