(ANS - Turin) - Among the hundreds of thousands of faithful who yesterday morning, January 30, 2022, watched the Rai 1 live TV broadcast of the Mass presided over by the Rector Major, Fr Ángel Fernández Artime, from Valdocco, there was also Pope Francis. He said it himself, overlooking St. Peter's Square, immediately after the recitation of the Angelus: “On the eve of the feast day of St. John Bosco, I’d like to greet the Salesians, who do so much good in the Church. I followed the Mass celebrated in the shrine of Mary Help of Christians by the Rector Major, Ángel Fernández Artime; I prayed with him for everyone.”
(ANS - Turin) - The feast day of Don Bosco in the Basilica of Mary Help of Christians in Turin-Valdocco has a particular significance in 2022 because of the 400th anniversary of the birth in Heaven of Saint Francis de Sales (1622-2022). Don Bosco chose him as patron and model for his children, to whom he gave the name of "Salesians".
«‘Salesian’ is synonymous with ‘living for others.’ This is how we know our Salesians here. Thus they are. Thus they live».
(ANS – Melbourne) – On Sunday the 28th of February, celebrations for Don Bosco’s feast day kicked off at St John the Baptist in Clifton Hill, Melbourne. Occurring almost a month after the feast day itself due to COVID-safe regulations, the festival was another fine instalment of Salesian fun and joy!
(ANS - Krakow) - Nine days of preparation for the great feast of Don Bosco through the Novena, exchanges of "Viva Don Bosco" for greetings, prayers, community life, exams ... these are the fundamental elements that have marked the life of the interprovincial theologate of Krakow in the days around the Feast Day of Don Bosco.
(ANS - San Benito Petén) - The city of San Benito Petén, in Guatemala, hosts an important Salesian mission, strongly rooted in the territory and appreciated by the local population, mostly poor people, because they are committed to bringing development and authentic evangelization. This is how the Feast Day of Don Bosco was experienced.
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.”