(ANS - Rome) - The process of disseminating "Young Salesians and accompaniment – Orientations and Guidelines" continues and the seed video for January occupies a special place. It is Don Bosco's month: the video begins in his room in Valdocco, where it all began. Kept there now is a small seed measuring 10 x 5 cm, the tiny notebook on which Michele Rua, aged sixteen, wrote on January 26, 1854: “On the evening of January 26, 1854 we gathered in Don Bosco's room; with Don Bosco himself, Rocchietti, Artiglia, Cagliero and Rua. A practical exercise of charity towards one's neighbour, with the help of the Lord and of St. Francis de Sales, was proposed to us; and later to take a promise, if it seems possible and convenient, to make a vow to the Lord. From that evening the name Salesian was placed on those ready to do the same.”
(ANS - Madrid) - The composer Fr Carlos Martinez Voces, a Salesian, this week released a musical album entitled “Con Alegria Missa”, A Mass with Joy. It is a collection of 15 pieces of various genres, specially composed for Eucharistic celebrations. From rock to pop, passing through rap and blues, the album was born from the profound joy of believing in God. A loving God who wants to reach everyone.
Warsaw, Poland - December 2020 - “You, Lord Jesus, are reborn in every child, you identify with those who are hungry, who are sick, who are naked; who have nowhere to take refuge, with all those who are hungry not only for bread, for clothes, for home, but for love.” This is a famous prayer of Mother Teresa of Calcutta. The many children and young people who are beneficiaries of the “A gift for the whole year” campaign by the Salesian Mission Office in Warsaw are hungry, for love and for life. Through this initiative, the Salesians help many young people by providing them with food, education, courses, moments of leisure and prayer.
(ANS - San Salvador) - The Salesian organization "Fundación Salvador del Mundo" (FUSALMO), with the support of the Latin American Faculty of Social Sciences in Costa Rica (FLACSO Costa Rica) and the Research Center for International Development (CRDI), has presented the systematization of the socio-occupational management program whose main objective was to present the results of the research "Entrepreneurs and employment of young people residing in contexts of violence in El Salvador: an analysis of socio-occupational trajectories and culture of company [business]". The event took place on 2, 3 and 4 December in San Salvador.
(ANS - Rome) - “We have tried by all means to invite children and young people to be very responsible above all and to follow, as citizens, the indications of the civil and health authorities of each country. In this sense, we have provided, especially to the children of our works, useful pedagogical-educational and didactic indications. When children understand, they are often more attentive than us adults.” Fr Ángel Fernández Artime, Rector Major of the Salesians, analyzes the Salesian response to the pandemic and its consequences, and applauds young people for their commitment - without forgetting the sacrifice of many of his confreres and the challenges still to be overcome.
(ANS - Fatumaca) - On 12 November the Salesians of Fatumaca honored the feast day in memory of the national heroes. In fact, November 12 is a historic date for the people of East Timor. On this day we remember the "Santa Cruz Massacre", a violent repression of East Timor's independence demonstrations which took place in the cemetery of Santa Cruz, in Dili, on November 12, 1991, during the Indonesian occupation of East Timor.
PHOTO GALLERY
INTERVIEWS
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Uruguay – "Don Bosco School of Arts & Crafts - Tacurú Movement": for 50 years a presence of God in Marconi district
(ANS - Montevideo) - The “Don Bosco School of Arts and Crafts - Tacurú Movement” recently celebrated its 50th anniversary in the Marconi district of Montevideo, Uruguay. To find out more about this charismatic Salesian presence, we interviewed Beatriz Brites, the project's Coordinator.
EVENTS
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RMG - Towards Salesian Family Spirituality Days 2021
(ANS - Rome) - The Spirituality Days of the Salesian Family take place online from Friday 15 to Sunday 17 January. To date, more than 5,000 registrations have already been made among the 12 regional-linguistic coordination centers.
SPECIAL REPORTS
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Italy – Salesians in Sardinia: a centuries-old commitment
(ANS - Cagliari) - They have formed generations of Sardinians who look to the Salesians, even after so many years, with affection and gratitude. The first presence of the Sons of Don Bosco on the island dates back to 1898: the first Salesian house with the Oratory and the vocational center was established in Lanusei. Now these institutes are no longer managed by the Salesians, but remain the symbol of a historical presence that has made the religious a point of reference not only for Ogliastra, but for the whole island.
MESSAGES OF THE RECTOR MAJOR
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DON BOSCO – THE GENIUS WHO KNEW HOW TO MAKE HIS BOYS HAPPY
Dear readers and friends, this January issue coincides with the great worldwide celebration of Don Bosco’s feast on January 31. And there is something else: