(ANS - Turin) - "We, too, celebrated the Patronal Feast of our house, named after Mary Help of Christians, with Mass and a procession with the painting of Mary Help of Christians: thus the Mistress of the House was able to see all her properties and bless the city of Kyiv, the heart of Ukraine." This was the greeting that came with joyful affection from Ukraine, as well as from many brothers and sisters belonging to the different groups of the Salesian Family scattered around the world, from Burundi to Argentina.
(ANS - Santiago) - The Temple of Mary Help of Christians in the center of Santiago, the capital of Chile, experienced a historic day last May 24: during the celebration of the patronal feast day, the church was officially recognized as a Shrine of Mary Help of Christians.
(ANS – Cebu) – The Salesian Province of the Philippines South celebrated its 30th founding anniversary on the 24th of May, 2022, Solemnity of Mary Help of Christians. It was a milestone for the Province as it recalls 30 years of mission in Visayas and Mindanao.
(ANS - Turin) - At the final meeting of the Salesian Family’s World Advisory Council aka Consulta - held in Valdocco from May 19 to 22 - the primary Association of Mary Help of Christians (ADMA) of Turin-Valdocco joyfully announced the date and place of the next International Congress of Mary Help of Christians to the superiors of the 32 groups of the Salesian Family present: it will take place in Fatima, Portugal, from August 29 to September 1, 2024.
Madrid, Spain - May 22, 2022 - The XXIX edition of the “Popular Run” of Mary Help of Christians took place on Sunday, May 22, gathering more than 300 runners of all ages who completed different circuits designed for different categories. The Run is an initiative that the Past Pupils of the Salesian home in Paseo de Extremadura in Madrid have been carrying out for 29 years and has established itself as the longest-running marathon in the entire district. It is a particularly popular tradition, characterized by a typically Salesian atmosphere, with children, families, entertainers, and friends of the Paseo work sharing a day of sport, cheerfulness, and genuine Salesian joy.
Bydgoszcz, Poland - May 2022 - The Solemnity of Mary Help of Christians is always a great feast for the whole Salesian Family, and this year, for the community of St. Mark's parish in Fordon, near Bydgoszcz, it was an extra special day. After the evening Eucharist presided over by Fr Tadeusz Itrych, PLN Provincial, which was attended by numerous faithful, the plaque defining the area located next to the church parking lot, where a statue of the Blessed Virgin Help of Christians has stood since 2016, as Mary Help of Christians Square was unveiled. The ceremony was also attended by representatives of the city of Bydgoszcz. After singing together, led by the children of the Salesian School, all the guests gathered for a moment of conviviality and sharing.
PHOTO GALLERY
INTERVIEWS
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RMG – 150 years ago Fr. Orione, light of charity in the world, was born(ANS - Rome) - St. Luigi Orione was born in Pontecurone, in the province of Alessandria, Italy, on June 23, 1872. For three years, from October 1886 to August 1889, he was a student at the Valdocco Oratory in Turin. Don Bosco, who soon noticed his human qualities, counted him among his favorites, assuring him, "We will always be friends." During his time in Turin, he also became acquainted with the charitable works of St. Giuseppe Benedetto Cottolengo, close to the Salesian oratory, until he later started his "Little Work of Divine Providence." On the occasion of the 150th anniversary of the birth of "don Orione," as he is universally known, we post an interview with Father Tarcisio Vieira, who has just been confirmed by the General Chapter of the Oriones as the Congregation's Director-General.
EDITORIAL
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Listening With Our HeartLittle John was watching the television and the sight of the African children being shown in utter poverty made him cry, and after sobbing in desperation he got up and pulled out a few slices of bread and went near the television and started pushing those slices in every small little hole on the back of the television. In his simplicity, he thought he was offering a little bread to those hungry children. The little boy expresses best what it means to listen with the heart.
The attentive gaze of a mother by the side of her child, and the slightest cry or movement of the child makes her respond immediately with a gentle touch or a caress, and this too is perhaps another example of what it means to listen with the heart. The mother feels what the child needs.
Listening with the heart is the experience of a noble, loving, compassionate person. Looking around, we see millions of people who suffer in silence every day. Everyone longs to be heard and listened to. But the raging fire and chaos, noise and humdrums have caused so much of deafness within, and we only listen to some sounds. We have lost the quality to empathize, to listen and to feel.
The call to listen with the ear of one’s heart, is the invitation of Pope Francis in light of the 56th World Communications Day, that is popularly celebrated on the Ascension Sunday every year. Are we really truly listening? Why do we struggle to listen? How can we listen with our heart? These can be some areas of introspection as we ponder on this theme of the World Communications Day – “Listening with the ear of the heart”.
EVENTS
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Italy – "Auxilium Faculty: female perspectives for Rome as an educating city"(ANS - Rome) - An event on the theme "Auxilium Faculty: female perspectives for Rome as an Educating City" was held yesterday, Tuesday, June 14, 2022, in the Sala della Protomoteca on the Capitol Hill in Rome, organized by the Pontifical Faculty of Educational Sciences "Auxilium," in collaboration with the Municipalities XIII and XIV of the Municipality of Rome, to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the foundation of the Institute of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians (1872-2022).
SPECIAL REPORTS
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RMG – "Communication, Management and Governance": the latest article by Fr. Gildasio Mendes in the series "St. Francis de Sales Communicator. Inner pilgrimage, wisdom in the art of communication."(ANS - Rome) - On the day of the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, a devotion closely linked to the figure of St. Francis de Sales, we publish the last of six articles written by Fr. Gildasio Mendes, General Councilor for Social Communication, on the theme, "St. Francis de Sales Communicator. Inner Pilgrimage, Wisdom in the Art of Communication."
MESSAGES OF THE RECTOR MAJOR
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«MY NAME IS SEAN CAYD». The Story of an Unimaginable GiftDear Readers, friends and most especially friends of Don Bosco's charism, I send you my affectionate greeting. They always come with gratitude for the sympathy you have towards Don Bosco, the saint of the world's youth, and the closeness, respect, or curiosity you feel towards those of us who try to continue his mission in the Church and the world. With all my heart, I thank you!