THE MESSAGE OF THE RECTOR MAJOR Don Ángel Fernández Artime
“Once again in my travels around the Salesian world I was able to see for myself that Mary Help of Christians—as Don Bosco promised—is a beacon that illuminates, a safe harbor, and maternal love for her Son and for all of us, her sons and daughters.”
Seville, Spain - 1973 - On May 11, 1973, the first National Congress of Mary Help of Christians began in Seville. The Congress, which lasted until May 15, focused on how to serve Mary in times when issues such as poverty, immigration, social exclusion, and vulnerable families were emerging.
(ANS - Rumia) - On Saturday, May 6, 2023, the National Congress of the Polish Association of Mary Help of Christians (ADMA) began in Rumia. The event kicked off with the unveiling of the miraculous picture of Mary Help of Christians of Rumia, accompanied by a Hail Mary uttered with the fervor of all participants, which recalled the first Hail Mary uttered by Don Bosco with Bartolomeo Garelli in Turin. Among the many guests, of note was the presence of members of various groups of the Salesian Family, welcomed by Mrs. Katarzyna Majda, president of the ADMA of the Province of North Poland (PLN), based in Piła.
(ANS - Turin) - The Solemnity of Mary Help of Christians in the Basilica dedicated to Her in Turin in this year 2023 is marked by the initiative of Marian Saturdays: "Saturday Evenings for Women": these are three evenings, beginning next May 13, aimed at exploring three different feminine dimensions: the strength of women, the courage of women, and the beauty of women.
(ANS – Rome) – The Novena to Mary Help of Christians begins today, Monday 15 May. It will accompany many consecrated and lay people of the Salesian Family on their spiritual journey towards this annual celebration that was so dear to Don Bosco. For those who wish to go on this journey together with the Father and Center of Unity of the Salesian Family, Fr Ángel Fernández Artime, the videos of this Worldwide Novena are being made available on the different language channels of ANSChannel and on TELEGRAM SDB.ORG, starting from yesterday. They will be uploaded gradually each day until the eve of the feast day.
(ANS - Rome) - The tradition of the World Novena to Mary Help of Christians (May 15-23), promoted by the Salesian Central Headquarters and of relevance for all members of the Salesian Family who intend to adequately prepare for this recurrence, is renewed again this year. The videos and accompanying booklets for Novena 2023 will be made available online in the coming days, while the presentation video can already be viewed as of today, Thursday, May 4.
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.