(ANS - Turin) - As the wait for the feast of Mary Help of Christians comes alive, even more solemn this year for the 150th anniversary of the consecration of the Basilica dedicated to Her in Turin-Valdocco, ending Monday, May 21st, was the Animation Visit of the Rector Major, Fr Ángel Fernández Artime, to the Special Circumscription of Piedmont and Valle d'Aosta.
(ANS - Novara) - The Provincial visit of the Rector Major, Fr Ángel Fernández Artime, to the Salesian District of Piedmont and Valle d'Aosta (ICP) began on Friday 18 May. After the meeting with the Provincial Council, in the morning, the tour in the land of Don Bosco began: the first stop was the Salesian Institute "San Lorenzo" of Novara, celebrating its 125th anniversary.
(ANS - Santiago) - A ceremony held at the "Hilda Chiang" Auditorium launched the Catholic University's first "Doctorate in Social Sciences with a focus on Youth Studies." The event, chaired by the Rector of the "Silva Henríquez" (UCSH), prof. Galvarino Jofré, SDB, celebrated the doctoral program given by the Faculty of Juridical, Economic and Social Sciences, with the Center for Youth Studies (CEJU) as a technical body.
Uruguay - Rector Major: "Commitment and life pass through a personal and profound experience of God"
(ANS - Montevideo) - On Thursday morning, 10 May, Fr. Ángel Fernández Artime, Rector Major, began his day by presiding at Mass for aspirants and young people in vocational discernment in the Provincial House. Later he went to "Talleres Don Bosco" for the celebration of the 125 years of the center that combines offering work skills with the development of values, and for the 50 years of the "Benigno Paiva lrisarri" institute, a Salesian house for teenagers located in the countryside around the small town of Sarandí del Yí, in the department of Durazno.
(ANS - Madrid) - Fr Juan José Bartolomé, SDB, extracts "Three stories of vocation" of the Holy Scriptures - those of Samuel, Jeremiah and the rich young man - to show that "God also speaks to young people" (Dios habla también a los jóvenes is the title of his latest book, published by "Editorial CCS"). These are pieces that, according to this New Testament teacher, currently active at the Salesian Theological Institute of Tlaquepaque, Mexico, share an "obvious" message: "In times of crisis, God can make adolescents prophets ... if they dedicate themselves to listening to Him."
(ANS - Sevilla) - They come from different countries, with different cultures, but they have something in common: they have left their places of origin due to conflict or persecution. They are the young refugees welcomed by the Salesians through their social platforms in Madrid and Seville. "After leaving Iran, I crossed through 10 countries, and they told me I could not stay. In Pinardi-Nicoli, they welcomed me," says one of the young men.
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.”