(ANS – Madrid) – Hundreds of athletes have taken part during the month of May, or since the end of April, in various solidarity races in honour of Mary Help of Christians, whose liturgical celebration took place on 24 May. There are many Salesian presences organising night cross-countries, popular races or children's races encouraging the educative and pastoral communities and the Salesian Family to run for different solidarity causes.
Buenos Aires, Argentina – May 2024 - The 107th pilgrimage to the Shrine of Mary Help of Christians in Fortín Mercedes, south of the province of Buenos Aires, was celebrated under the motto "With Mary in prayer we are mission". The shrine is an expression of gratitude to Mary for the evangelising activity in Patagonia, land of Don Bosco's dreams. The pilgrimage of the local communities took place on Friday 24 May , from the railway station in Pedro Luro to the Shrine where the Eucharist was celebrated at 5 pm. The pilgrimage was joined by many children, members of the 45th Battalion of the Argentine Explorers of Don Bosco, the musical band, teachers and students from educational communities, the FMA and pastoral agents at the Shrine. On Saturday 25th, pilgrims from different places, including Mar del Plata, arrived at the Shrine. At 5 pm the Eucharist was celebrated, entrusting Mary, patroness of Argentine agriculture, with the care of the homeland. At 7 pm, young people and educators from the educational communities in Bahía Blanca arrived and made a 30 kilometre pilgrimage on foot. The image of Mary Help of Christians was brought from the Shrine to welcome them. A solemn Eucharist was celebrated on Sunday 26th, the feast of the Most Holy Trinity.
(ANS – Rome) – Even after the Feast of Mary Help of Christians, the series of in-depth studies dedicated to the most famous shrines dedicated to Don Bosco's Madonna throughout the world continues. Today we present the church dedicated to her in the Almagro district of Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Turin, Italy – May 24, 2024 – Friday, 24 May the Solemnity of Mary Help of Christians was celebrated at the Salesian Mother House in Valdocco, Turin. In the morning, the Eucharistic celebration was presided over by Archbishop Roberto Repole, Archbishop of Turin and Bishop of Susa, and concelebrated by Card. Ricardo Ezzati Andrello, SDB, Archbishop Emeritus of Santiago de Chile. In the evening, at 6.30 pm, the Eucharistic celebration was presided over by the Vicar of the Rector Major, Fr Stefano Martoglio.
(ANS – Rome) – Enthroned on the front of her Basilica in Lima, an almost eighty-year-old image of Mary Help of Christians is a silent witness to the daily movement of the thousands of passers-by who pass daily before her. Located right where Avenida Brasil is, one of the main and busiest roads in the capital of Peru, the figure is protected from the elements by a glass screen placed ten years ago during the restoration work of the church, declared a Cultural Heritage of the Nation.
(ANS – Rome) – Cardinal Ángel Fernández Artime will spend his last Feast of Mary Help of Christians as Rector Major of the Salesians of Don Bosco in the city that has been his home – apart from his many trips – in the last 10 years: Rome. The 10th Successor of Don Bosco will preside over the solemn festive Eucharist at 6 pm (UTC+2) at the Salesian Basilica of Mary Help of Christians in Via Tuscolana, the church which the Holy Father Francis, on 30 September 2023, assigned him as his cardinalate.
PHOTO GALLERY
INTERVIEWS
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RMG – Interview with Fr Francisco Lezama, Provincial of Uruguay(ANS – Rome) – Fr Francisco Lezama was born in the city of Montevideo on 11 September 1979. He got to know the Salesians in the Salesian work of Las Piedras, where he took part in youth groups and parish activities.
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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Spain – 2024 Pastoral and Theological Updating(ANS – Santiago de Compostela) – The two Provinces of the Salesians of Don Bosco in Spain, Saint James the Greater (SSM) and Mary Help of Christians (SMX), are organising their Theological and Pastoral Updating meetings this year for the second part of July. This is an event that has become traditional, organised by the Formation Delegates of both Provinces, and aimed mainly at cultivating spirituality and ongoing formation among Salesians throughout the country.
SPECIAL REPORTS
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Solomon Islands – Salesian presence in the country(ANS – Honiara) – The presence of Don Bosco has reached every continent in the world. We can say that only Antarctica is missing, and even in the islands of Oceania the Salesian charism, which is well adapted to the different cultures and traditions, is spreading.
MESSAGES OF THE RECTOR MAJOR
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WHEN AN EDUCATOR TOUCHES HIS CHILDREN’S HEART— OR THE ART OF BEING LIKE DON BOSCOTHE MESSAGE OF THE RECTOR MAJOR, Cardinal Ángel Fernández Artime
The art of being like Don Bosco: “Remember that education is a matter of the heart, of which God alone is the master, and that we can achieve nothing unless God teaches us the art and hands us the key” (The Biographical Memoirs of Saint John Bosco, XVI, 376).