(ANS - Rome) - For some years now, the experiences of Life in Common of the Salesians with young people have been spreading in the homes of the Central Italy Circumscription (ICC), as a special occasion of fraternity and family spirit among adolescents and young people with Religious Communities and Pastoral Educational Communities, expressing the desire to harmoniously join the spirituality of daily life and the word of God, faith and life. This is a journey, a simple sign of the times that the Church has accepted and that for several years already has been querying many dioceses, many territories and sees various experiences that revitalize its domestic soul, called to be with Jesus.
(ANS - Madrid) - Last Friday, April 14, the Salesian National Center for Youth Ministry (CNSPJ, in Spanish) and the Salesian publishing house "Central Catequística Salesiana" (CCS) organized the first edition of the "Dialogues of Youth Ministry," a forum from a Salesian perspective designed to promote reflection on the affective-sexual education of adolescents and young people.
(ANS - Miyazaki) - After three years of suffering due to the pandemic, the annual Catholic Youth Camp (YCC) took place in Miyazaki, Japan, from 28 to 30 March 2023, with great joy under the leadership of Fr Shinjiro Michael Urata, SDB, Head of the Youth Pastoral Commission of the 'St Francis Xavier' Province of Japan.
(ANS - Piura) - At a time of natural disasters and social upheaval in Peru, the Rector Major, Fr. Ángel Fernández Artime, arrived yesterday, 27 March, in Piura "the city of eternal heat", welcomed indeed by the warmth of the local Salesian Family and a temperature of 35°C.
(ANS – Chennai) – The Student Council and Cultural Club of Don Bosco Arts and Science College, Chennai , organised its first ever mega Intercollegiate Cultural Fest, JIVE’23, on March 13 and 14 with the theme “Choose life! Say no to drugs! It hosted participants from around 200+ colleges (Arts and Science, Medical and Engineering) in and around Chennai. The cultural fest had 17 on and off-stage events in which 1250 students from various colleges like Loyola, Stella Maris, Patrician, Gurunanak, WCC, MGC, St. Thomas, St. Joseph’s, MGR University, Vels University, Madras University, Stanley Medical College and Ramachandra Medical College participated.
(ANS – London) – After a break of four years due to Covid-19, the great Catholic bi-annual youth gathering organised by the CYMFed (Catholic Youth Ministry Federation), finally took off with a bang. It took place on Saturday March 4th, in the Wembley Ovo Arena -North London; a range of exciting activities were on the agenda. About 8. 000 young people from Catholic communities across England, Wales and Scotland took part. Of those young Catholics were about 300 coming from Salesian schools and parishes of all over the country.
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.”