(ANS – Genoa) – The new course for motor vehicle repair mechanics began on the afternoon of Wednesday 17 April, at the headquarters of the Salesian Vocational Training Centre in Genoa, in the presence of the Prefect of Genoa, Cinzia Torraco. A 500-hour training course, divided equally between classrooms/workshops and internships in companies, aimed at certifying some important skills with a view to work, social and cultural integration; the course, thanks to the funds of the National Recovery and Resilience Plan, will allow 18 members, all under 25 from the sub-Saharan area and currently housed in the facilities managed by the Genoese White Cross, to learn the basic knowledge for repairs on motor vehicle thermal engines, the starting point for the future qualification of "operator for the repair of motor vehicles".
Genzano di Roma, Italy - April 2024 - The 6th Provincial Chapter of the Salesian Vice Province of Central Italy (ICC), held at Casa Versiglia in Genzano di Roma from April 1st to 6th, 2024, concluded with a Eucharistic celebration led by its Superior Fr. Stefano Aspettati. It was primarily an encounter of fraternity, reaffirming the familial bonds among participants throughout each day: from prayer and the work of the Commissions to shared meals, leisure time, and discussions in the Assembly. This gathering fostered open and honest dialogue regarding consecration and mission, involving laypeople in service to youth. Three documents were drafted as reflections and contributions from the ICC Province for the 29th General Chapter, slated for early 2025 in Turin. Ahead of this, the Chapter engaged in discernment before selecting two Salesians, along with substitutes, to represent the Circumscription at the General Chapter: Fr. Roberto Colameo and Fr. Michelangelo Dessì, with Fr. Daniele Merlini and Fr. Emanuele De Maria as substitutes.
Chennai, India – April 2024 – The Salesian Province of Tiruchy India (INT), celebrates a double goal this year: the 25th anniversary (1999-2024) and its 9th Provincial Chapter. 69 Salesians, 5 members of the Salesian Family and 3 theology students gathered from 2 to 6 April 2024 at the Salesian Provincial House at Chennai (INM), for an event focused on reflection, discussion and decision. The central theme of the Provincial Chapter is the theme of the next GC29: "PASSIONATE ABOUT JESUS CHRIST, DEDICATED TO YOUNG PEOPLE. Living our Salesian vocation faithfully and prophetically.“ The opening Mass was celebrated by Archbishop George Antonysamy, archbishop of Madras - Mylapore, who in the homily underlined the salient aspects of the Salesian mission: friendly accompaniment, participatory governance and fervent evangelisation. During the opening ceremonies, several representatives of the Salesian Family spoke. Fr Robert Simon, moderator of the Provincial Chapter, encouraged members to participate actively, effectively and to make the Chapter a celebration. Fr Agilan Sarprasadam, INT Provincial, declared the Chapter open.
Genzano di Roma, Italy – April 2024 - The 6th Provincial Chapter on the evening of the first day of the Easter Octave with the singing of the Veni Creator and the official opening by the president Fr Stefano Aspettati, Superior of the Salesian Sacred Heart Circumscription of Central Italy (ICC). The Chapter assembly composed of 98 people, including Salesians and invited lay people, met in the Saint Aloysius Versiglia house in Genzano, Rome, where they will remain until Saturday, 6 April, to experience what is the moment of greatest shared responsibility in the life of a Province. The days, led by the Moderator Fr Michelangelo Dessì, will be marked by moments of prayer and assembly work times and commissions whose methodology this year will be inspired by the "spiritual conversations" that have animated the synodal assembly of the Church. The purpose of this is to give Chapter members the opportunity to listen to the Spirit to contribute on the one hand to the reflection in preparation for the 29th General Chapter of the Salesians of Don Bosco (set for 2025), for which the confreres will also be called to elect their own delegates, and on the other to share indications for the life of the Province.
Fr Francesco Galante
Rome, Italy - March 2024 – The Minister of Labor, Marina Elvira Calderone, immersed herself in the educational activity of the Salesian world on 25 March 2024 that is carried out through Vocational Training and working with youth problems at Borgo Ragazzi Don Bosco in Rome. This work involves both a Vocational Training Centre and a Reception Centre. A valuable morning of discussion and exchange, first with those responsible for the Centre and then with the national directorate of the"CNOS FAP" (Centro Nazionale Opere Salesiane – Formazione e Aggiornamento Professionale) Federation. Welcomed by Fr Daniele Merlini, Director of the work, while visiting the various environments the Minister spent time with several boys and girls in the workshops to learn about their experiences and encourage them in what they had undertaken, appreciating their work and describing the paths of Education and Vocational Training as the keystone for the Italian System. In an atmosphere of cordiality, a discussion was then held with Fr Giuliano Giacomazzi, General Director of the CNOS FAP, and with Paola Vacchina, president of "FORMA", an association that brings together the main Italian Training Bodies. The Minister expressed her strong appreciation for the entire world of Vocational Training, calling it the answer to the confusion of young people, a useful tool for their insertion into the world of work and life.
(ANS – Livorno) – The 93-year-old Salesian from Tuscany, Luigi Zoppi, received the "Canaviglia" award on Tuesday 19 March 2024, the feast of Saint Joseph, for his commitment to drug addicts, AIDS patients and migrants. The award is a city honour from the municipality of Livorno – a city where the Salesian has been working, always at the service of the least and at the heart of the Church, for almost 50 years.
PHOTO GALLERY
INTERVIEWS
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Italy – A Salesian on the front line of the war in Ukraine: "Being close counts, words come later"(ANS - Rome) - As he tells with a gentleness that does not seem to come from horror, he is "resting a little bit" in Rome these days. Fr Oleh Ladnyuk is a Ukrainian Salesian priest who is a military chaplain at the front, among the soldiers who fight in defence of their country and among the civilians who for over two years have seen their lives wiped out. He brings humanitarian aid where the missiles fall and from those places he helps with the evacuation of young people and adults - so far at least 500 people, but there are probably many more. These days the Salesian – who carries out his ministry in Dnipro and teaches History in a state school in the city – is in Rome to take part with two other priests and a dozen lay people from his country in the "Accompanying when Trauma Hits" course hosted by the Pontifical Salesian University in collaboration with the Faculty of Educational Sciences, with the DON BOSCO NEL MONDO Foundation and the Don Bosco Network. A project that aims to provide theoretical and methodological tools to deal with the traumas caused by war.
EDITORIAL
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Myanmar – Tragedy of Innocent Children in the midst of Armed Conflicts(ANS – Naypyidaw) - Myanmar finds itself immersed in profound grief and anguish as innocent lives, particularly those of children, continue to be mercilessly lost in the enduring armed conflicts. Families are left devastated by the tragic loss of their loved ones while the relentless violence shows no signs of abating. This week, a heartfelt plea from Myanmar reached our community, shedding light on the heart-wrenching death of a young girl Juliet in a military airstrike, prompting a unified call for prayers and action.
EVENTS
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Italy – "Education and culture of safeguarding in sport. Towards the establishment of protection and prevention models": PGS conference with UPS(ANS – Rome) – The synergy between the Salesian Youth Sports Centres (PGS) and the Pontifical Salesian University (UPS) in Rome gave rise to the conference on "Education and culture of safeguarding in sport. Towards the establishment of models of protection and prevention", which will take place on 13 April, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:45 p.m., at the UPS facilities in Rome.
SPECIAL REPORTS
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United States – INT’L DAY FOR STREET CHILDREN: Salesian Missions highlights programs that provide shelter and support(ANS – New Rochelle) – Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco, joins humanitarian and international organizations around the globe in highlighting the plight of homeless children on the International Day for Street Children. The day provides organizations and the millions of street children in countries worldwide with an opportunity to have their voices heard while ensuring that their rights are not ignored.
MESSAGES OF THE RECTOR MAJOR
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I’M A SALESIAN AND I’M A BOROROTHE MESSAGE OF THE RECTOR MAJOR, Fr Ángel Fernández Artime, SDB
Diary of a Happy and Blessed Missionary Day
Dear friends , I’m writing to you from Meruri in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil. I write this greeting almost as if it were a journalistic report, because it has been only 24 hours since I arrived in the middle of this Brazilian state.