(ANS - Vatican City) – Celebrated today, like every 8 February, the feast of Saint Josephine Bakhita, the World Day of Prayer and Reflection against Human Trafficking, promoted by the International Unions of Superiors Generals (male and female) (UISG / USG ). The day aims to raise awareness on this issue, invites to ask how it is possible that in the XXI century there is still the trafficking of people and wants to understand how this business really works in order to fight it and eliminate it.
(ANS - Abu Dhabi) - In the eighth centenary of the meeting between St. Francis of Assisi and the sultan al-Malik al-Kāmil, once again a Francis journeyed to meet some of the leading Islamic authorities; and dialogue was indeed the cornerstone of the Argentine Pope's journey. Yesterday, 4 February, at the end of the interreligious meeting in the "Founder's Memorial" of Abu Dhabi, the Holy Father and the Imam of Al-Azhar Ahamad al-Tayyib - the greatest doctrinal authority of Sunni Islam - signed a common document on "Human Brotherhood for World Peace and common coexistence."
(ANS - Vatican City) - First in front of about 700,000 young people in Panama City; then in the general audience at the Vatican; finally, yesterday, during the morning Mass celebrated in the "Domus Sanctae Marthae", for the third time in less than a week Pope Francis indicated Don Bosco as a model and example to follow.
Panama City, Panama - January 28, 2019 - The last words pronounced at WYD by a Pontiff close to the young, with a current language. "Go forward, with courage and audacity, and please do not forget to pray for me."
(ANS - Panama City) - The World Youth Day in Panama ended with the last greeting the Holy Father addressed to the approximately 700,000 young people present in the Campo St John Paul II - Metro Park. Each of his words becomes, from this moment on, a program of life for the young, for priests, for bishops, for the laity, for families.
(ANS - Panama City) - Before thousands of young people, the Holy Father spoke on topics of great relevance for today’s youth and with a simple language, deep and close to young people’s understanding. He told them that “the life that Jesus gives us is a ‘love story’, a story of life that wants to mix with ours and take root in the good soil of each one of us”, as it has been the case with our saints.
PHOTO GALLERY
INTERVIEWS
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Democratic Republic of Congo – Fr Owoudou on the situation in the eastern parts of the country: “No matter how dark the night may seem, dawn will inevitably come”
(ANS - Goma) - During his latest phase of the Extraordinary Visit to the "Mary Most Holy Assumption" Province of Central Africa (AFC), Fr. Alphonse Owoudou, Councillor for the Africa Madagascar Region, conducted an interview with the magazine "JAMBO VIJANA," representing the youth engaged in the Salesian works of the Province's Eastern Delegation. Addressing the ongoing violence and conflicts in the region, Fr. Owoudou expressed hope, saying: "No matter the length of the night, dawn will inevitably come."
EDITORIAL
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“Speaking with the Heart”: A great Antidote for the Ills of today’s world
‘Revolutionize the world with your kindness, by speaking with your heart’, is the dream that Pope Francis envisions for humanity through his 57th World Communication Day message, that falls on this Ascension Sunday, 21st May 2023. ‘Speak with your heart in truth and charity’, and this is the best antidote that can cure the ills of today’s society.
EVENTS
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Italy – "Labs To Future": the final event of the "Labs To Learn" project in Valdocco
(ANS – Turin) – The final event of the "Labs to Learn" project was held on Tuesday, 5 March 2024, entitled "Labs To Future: The path – The results – The challenges" . The project was selected by the "Con i Bambini" social enterprise within the framework of the Foundation for the Fight against Child Educational Poverty and came into being with the intention of combating early school leaving and preventing educational poverty, increasing the number of young people with difficulties who fulfil their school obligation, access higher education and/or job placement, and opening the way for personal growth according to their inclinations and aspirations.
SPECIAL REPORTS
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Peru – Centenary of the High Altar of the Basilica of Mary Help of Christians in Lima
(ANS – Lima) – The centenary of the consecration of the high altar in the Crypt of the Basilica of Mary Help of Christians in Lima was celebrated on 19 March, on the feast of St Joseph and in homage to Fr José Calasanz Marqués, then Provincial of the Salesians in Peru and Bolivia – now recognised as Blessed by the Church – on account of his name.
MESSAGES OF THE RECTOR MAJOR
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DREAMS THAT KEEP COMING TRUE!
THE MESSAGE OF THE RECTOR MAJOR, Card. Ángel Fernández Artime, SDB
When reflecting on all this, I feel I have a little authority to say: “Dear Don Bosco, your Dream is still VERY ALIVE.”