(ANS – Rome) – During Lent, registration begins for the 2024 edition of the "Laudato Si 'Animators" formation to inspire and mobilise communities on a common path of ecological conversion. The Salesian Youth Ministry Sector, through its Office for Integral Ecology, is among the promoters of this formation course, which also includes some special innovations in Italy.
(ANS - Rome) - On Wednesday, March 13th, Giuseppe Valditara, the Minister of Education and Merit (Italy), delivered a video message for the 'Didacta Italia Fair', the primary national event focusing on innovation in the realm of education - including universities this year. The fair is scheduled to take place from March 20th to 22nd in Florence and is dedicated to Don Bosco, the Father and Teacher of Young People. In his address, the Minister underscored the significance of the event and elucidated the rationale behind this dedication.
(ANS – Rome) – The Salesian Missionary Volunteering continues to flourish, with participants deeply engaged in discussions about critical topics and plans to strengthen the program's impact. In the latest gathering, which spanned four days, attendees delved into essential themes such as identity, formation, accompaniment, and network building.
(ANS – Rome) – The La Violetta di Don Bosco initiative promoted by Salesians for Social APS, will return on the weekend of Saturday 16 and Sunday 17 March 2024, in 22 oratories, parishes and piazzas in 11 Italian regions. By buying a Violetta map it will be possible to support the projects carried out in the over 80 facilities where Salesians for Social is present every day, and where more than 1,300 children, teenagers and young people among the most needy are housed and accompanied daily.
Turin, Italy – March 2024 - The second Savio Club event was held for children from first to third grade, this time, exceptionally, in Valdocco on 9-10 March 2024. The approximately 300 young people present at each of the two days – chosen according to the needs of the groups – tried to discover with the guidance of the leaders the secret of the holiness of Dominic Savio through a mixture of ingredients that Don Bosco already dreamed of: games, meetings, formation. The youngsters got involved and were available, thanks to the great work done by the program's leadership team.
Source: salesianipiemonte.info
(ANS – Rome) – The Salesian Central Italy Circumscription (ICC), through its Integral Ecology team, and the Cinecircoli Giovanili Socioculturali APS (CGS) association intend to launch a challenge to young people, entitled "Please look forward". The proposal will serve to raise awareness among teenagers and young adults aged 15 to 30 on the issues of integral ecology, through designing and creating audiovisual products. "Salesians for Social APS" and the Salesian VIS - International Volunteering for Development NGO will also collaborate in the initiative.
PHOTO GALLERY
INTERVIEWS
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RMG – “Do Elderly Salesians have a role in the Digital Culture?”
The answer in the letter “Sharing wisdom and hope in digital culture” from the General Councillor for Social Communication
(ANS – Rome) – In view of the current digital reality, and due to the presence, especially in some regions of the Salesian world, of a large number of elderly Salesians, the General Councillor for Social Communication, Fr Gildasio Mendes, has decided to dedicate a special letter to them, entitled: "Sharing wisdom and hope in digital culture". Here is how he explains to ANS readers today the origins, significance and perspectives of this document.
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 – Artificial Intelligence and "The Oratory". Two events for reflection and debate at UPS
(ANS – Rome) – The Faculty of Social Communication Sciences (FSC) of the Pontifical Salesian University (UPS), based in Rome, is promoting two events in May, the month in which the World Day of Social Communications is celebrated (this year, Sunday 12th) as well as the anniversary of the charismatic Letter from Rome by Don Bosco (10 May). They will explore the dimension of communication in its current and future panorama and the continuing relevance of the Salesian presence among young people at risk. These issues will be addressed through the presentation of a book on "Artificial Intelligence. In search of humanity", Thursday 16 May 2024, and the screening of the film "The Oratory", Friday 17th.
SPECIAL REPORTS
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RMG – 16 May 1887: Don Bosco's weeping, the Sacred Heart and unwavering faith in Divine Providence
(ANS – Rome) – On 16 May 1887, Don Bosco celebrated his first and only Mass at the altar of Mary Help of Christians at the church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus at the Castro Praetorium, in Rome, the church whose construction cost him so much effort and suffering in the last years of his life. In that Mass, interrupted by tears 15 times, Don Bosco, now close to the end of his mortal life, had the grace to understand the entire journey made in the thousand apostolates and in the infinite initiatives for young people throughout his life, and his childhood Dream suddenly became clear to him, thus also giving fulfilment to the prophetic affirmation of that dream: "In due time you will understand everything".
MESSAGES OF THE RECTOR MAJOR
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MARY HELP OF CHRISTIANS FROM HERE TO THE WORLD
THE MESSAGE OF THE RECTOR MAJOR, Card. Ángel Fernández Artime
Dear readers of the Salesian Bulletin,
My affectionate and cordial greetings during this Easter season. In a world in turmoil, agitated by armed conflicts and no small amount of violence, we continue to declare, announce, and proclaim that Jesus is Lord, raised by the Father, and that he LIVES. We strongly need His Presence in hearts willing to welcome Him.