(ANS – New Rochelle) – On November 23rd, the Rector Major, Fr. Ángel Fernández Artime, SDB, spent the morning with Salesian students in New Rochelle.
(ANS – Berkeley) – Intense, with meetings and appointments, the visit of the Rector Major, Fr. Ángel Fernández Artime, to the "St. Andrew" Province of the Western United States (SUO) continues. On Friday, November 18, the 10th Successor of Don Bosco visited the community of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians at Bellflower, before beginning the second part of his visit to Northern California, with stops in Berkeley and Richmond.
(ANS – Long Beach) – From Thursday, November 10, through Sunday, November 13, young people and their youth ministers from the United States gathered in Long Beach, California, to do a number of important things: “Get into the boat with Jesus” and commit their lives ever more deeply to their Catholic faith; give praise and worship to God as a Catholic community; be formed in those skills, attitudes, and choices that would make them more solid in their Catholic faith; be of responsible service to others; and discern their vocation in life.
(ANS - Los Angeles) - On the third day of his visit to the United States West Province (SUO), yesterday, Nov. 17, Rector Major, Fr. Ángel Fernández Artime continued his acquaintance with the Salesian presence in the Los Angeles area. The three main highlights of his day were visits to Saint John Bosco High School and Don Bosco Tech in Rosemead, and, back in Bellflower, the Eucharist in honor of Saint Artemide Zatti, celebrated together with Salesian Family members.
Saint-Jean-de-Sixt, France - November 2022 - On All Saints' Day, the 11th edition of the "Weekend Don Bosco, Youth and Families" gathering was held at the "AEC de Forgeassoud" vacation village in the town of Saint-Jean-de-Sixt. The event gathered 246 participants, many of whom were at their first experience. During the day, which was an opportunity for reunion, spirituality and fun, Fr. Sébastien Robert, Economer of the "St. Francis de Sales" Province of France and Southern Belgium (FRB), specialists Séverine and Jean-Baptiste Hibon, speech therapist and psychologist respectively, and finally Hugo and Geoffroy, two young people from the music group "Holi," which meets several thousand people every year to share moments, talk about their worldview and how they live their faith. The day was also enriched by an interactive show, performed by Isabelle Laurent and titled "The Little Girl Who Wanted to Save the World," an invitation to become aware of our capabilities.
(ANS - Madrid) - In October 2022, the Salesian social institution "Pinardi" and the Community of Madrid launched "Primera Experiencia Profesional" (First Professional Experience), a project that aims to address the problem of youth unemployment with an innovative methodology, and to study its impact. Thanks to this initiative, which has kicked off in the Pinardi centers of the Madrid capital - Atocha, Puerta del Sol, and Pan Bendito - and in the cities of Alcalá de Henares, Fuenlabrada and Parla, 400 young people shall have the opportunity to discover their vocation with training carried out in real work environments within companies.
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.”