Vatican City, Vatican - 17 February 2021 - At 9:30 this morning, at the Altar of the Chair of St Peter’s Basilica, the Holy Father Francis celebrated Holy Mass with the rite of blessing and imposition of ashes.
Vatican City, Vatican - February 2021 - On the occasion of the 25th World Day of Consecrated Life which is celebrated on February 2, the liturgical feast day of the Presentation of the Lord, Pope Francis presided at the Mass in St. Peter's Basilica, which was attended by members of the Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life. Also present: Fr Ángel Fernández Artime, Rector Major of the Salesians.
Anisakan, Myanmar - December 2020 - On 26 December, a meeting was organized at the Salesian "Nazareth House" in Anisakan to discuss social ecology and care for creation. The meeting saw the participation of 55 people, including Salesians, young people, volunteers and house staff. The theme of the "ecological vocation", which was already underlined by Saint John Paul II, was studied in depth, and the contribution of Pope Francis to the care of creation was reflected upon.
(ANS - Vatican City) - On January 1, at the beginning of each new year, the Church celebrates Mary Most Holy Mother of God and it is to her that the prayers and hopes of peace for the world have been entrusted in this 2021 which has just begun. In fact, January 1st is also the day on which World Day of Peace is celebrated.
Vatican City, Vatican - December 2020 - On December 24, Pope Francis celebrated Christmas Mass in St. Peter's Basilica.
(ANS - Vatican City) - "WITH A FATHER'S HEART: this is how Joseph loved Jesus, called in all four Gospels 'the son of Joseph'." Pope Francis begins with these incisive words in his Apostolic Letter Patris Corde, published on the occasion of the 150th anniversary of the Quemadmodum Deus decree, with which on December 8, 1870, Blessed Pius IX declared Saint Joseph Patron of the Catholic Church. And to worthily celebrate the anniversary, the Holy Father has also announced a special jubilee year in honor of St. Joseph. The news also filled the Salesian Congregation with joy and satisfaction, which also boasts the Artisan of Nazareth, the Carpenter, among its Patrons.
PHOTO GALLERY
INTERVIEWS
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
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.