(ANS – Lawaan) – The Mary Help of Christians Province of the Philippines, South (FIS), is simultaneously hosting two major events held in Don Bosco Retreat House-Lawaan: the East Asia-Oceania Youth Ministry Delegates meeting and the East Asia-Oceania Salesian Family meeting. It is a 4-day occasion that brought 65 delegates from not less than 15 countries from EAO and Rome.
(ANS – Dimapur) – The Salesian Family Delegates from South Asia gathered in Dimapur Province from October 31 to November 4 with a mission to cultivate unity, strategize for growth, and channel the teachings of Saint John Bosco, the driving force behind the Salesian Family organization.
Canlubang, Philippines - October 2023 - The youth vocations programme called VocTok, of the Salesian Province of the Northern Philippines (FIN), organised a Rosary for Vocations on Saturday, 28 October. The event aimed to bring all young people together in prayer for vocations in the Salesian Family, and this year focused on the theme "Dream: Don't be afraid, I am with you", in view of the celebration in 2024 of the 200th anniversary of Don Bosco's Dream when he was nine years old. Likewise, it also served to encourage young people to imagine God's dream for them. The event was hosted at the Diocesan Shrine of Mary Help of Christians, near Canlubang, and brought together numerous youth organisations, priests, religious and aspirants.
(ANS - Ayagualo) - A meeting of those in charge of the Salesians of Don Bosco (SDB) and the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians (FMA) with representatives of other groups of the Salesian Family active in the Salesian Region of Interamerica is taking place these days (23-26 October 2023) at the "Sacred Heart of Jesus" retreat house in Ayagualo, El Salvador. A total of 46 people from 10 different countries took part.
Seoul, South Korea - October 2023 - The Salesian Provincial House in Seoul hosted the Salesian Mission Day 2023 on 22 October, held under the theme: "Caring for the Creation, is Our Mission". The event was attended by Salesians and members of the Salesian Family from different regions of South Korea. Fr Stephen Yu, Provincial Delegate for Missions, welcomed those present and explained the purpose of the Mission Day. Next, Fr John Baptist Park, from the Eco-Spirituality Committee, presented a talk on the Encyclical 'Laudato Si'. He explained the risks of the ongoing climate change and emphasized the need to protect the environment in order to safeguard the Earth. The Salesians and representatives of the different groups of the Salesian Family then illustrated their projects which cared for the environment, such as recycling or collecting rainwater to water plants. The event concluded with Mass, celebrated by the Provincial of the Salesian Province of South Korea, Fr Timothy Won Cheol Choi.
Mogofores, Portugal - October 2023 - The pilgrim members of the Salesian Family who took part in the annual pilgrimage, who were invited to welcome Mary as their "Teacher", just as Don Bosco did were warmly welcomed at the National Shrine of Our Lady Help of Christians of Mogofores on Saturday 21st October. The event began with the celebration of the Eucharist, presided over by Fr Tarcízio Morais, the Provincial of the Salesian Province "St Anthony" of Portugal and Cape Verde (POR). In his homily, he emphasized that Mary, Mother and Teacher, asks us to fulfil the will of her Son in everything and that the mission of the Salesian Family consequently is to respond to the cry of young people in need. Then, in the afternoon, the pilgrims prayed the Rosary, before joining the procession in honour of Mary Help of Christians, presided by the Provincial and joined-in by other Salesians. During the procession, accompanied by the Youth Band of Poiares, the faithful carried not only the statue of Mary Help of Christians, but also the statues of Don Bosco and Our Lady of Cana.
PHOTO GALLERY
INTERVIEWS
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Italy – A Salesian on the front line of the war in Ukraine: "Being close counts, words come later"(ANS - Rome) - As he tells with a gentleness that does not seem to come from horror, he is "resting a little bit" in Rome these days. Fr Oleh Ladnyuk is a Ukrainian Salesian priest who is a military chaplain at the front, among the soldiers who fight in defence of their country and among the civilians who for over two years have seen their lives wiped out. He brings humanitarian aid where the missiles fall and from those places he helps with the evacuation of young people and adults - so far at least 500 people, but there are probably many more. These days the Salesian – who carries out his ministry in Dnipro and teaches History in a state school in the city – is in Rome to take part with two other priests and a dozen lay people from his country in the "Accompanying when Trauma Hits" course hosted by the Pontifical Salesian University in collaboration with the Faculty of Educational Sciences, with the DON BOSCO NEL MONDO Foundation and the Don Bosco Network. A project that aims to provide theoretical and methodological tools to deal with the traumas caused by war.
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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United States – INT’L DAY FOR STREET CHILDREN: Salesian Missions highlights programs that provide shelter and support(ANS – New Rochelle) – Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco, joins humanitarian and international organizations around the globe in highlighting the plight of homeless children on the International Day for Street Children. The day provides organizations and the millions of street children in countries worldwide with an opportunity to have their voices heard while ensuring that their rights are not ignored.
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.