(ANS - Vatican City) - One cannot think of the Church without the presence of young people. The Holy Father explained and repeated: "We need young people, living stones of a Church with a young face, but without make-up, that is, not rejuvenated, but renewed from within." The long-awaited Synod of Bishops on "Youth, faith and vocational discernment", which ends on October 28, 2018, opens today. In the homily of the Mass celebrated in St. Peter's Square, crowded with young people and the Synodal Fathers, Pope Francis said: "The young call us to care for them with commitment ... Do not leave them alone."
Palermo, Italy - September 15, 2018 - As part of the pastoral visit to the diocese of Palermo, on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the martyrdom of Blessed Pino Puglisi, Pope Francis met the youth in Piazza Politeama on September 15. Among the participants, many young people from the Salesian Youth Movement, who oversaw the animation of the event.
(ANS - Rome) - In recent days, Mother Yvonne Reungoat, Superior General of the Institute of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians sent a letter to Pope Francis to show her support and solidarity, especially in this moment of difficulty and tribulation, and transform them into prayer and penance, as the Holy Father himself asked of the People of God. The letter of Mother Reungoat expresses a feeling common to the whole Salesian Family.
Palermo, Italy - September 2018 - Preparations are underway in Palermo for the visit that tomorrow, September 15th, the Holy Father Francis will undertake on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the martyrdom of Blessed Pino Puglisi. The Salesian Family of Palermo contributes to the success of the event; for one, the young people of the Salesian Youth Movement in Palermo will take care of the "stage" animation, with dances and themed songs, on September 14th and 15th, both for the Regional Youth Conference and for the Youth Festival with the Holy Father. In addition, the Salesians Cooperators of Don Bosco Ranchibile handcrafted the tablecloths to be set at the tables for the lunch the Pope will share with migrants, prisoners and poor in the mission of Biagio Conte.
(ANS - Vatican City) - On Tuesday 11 September, the feast of Our Lady of Coromoto, Patron of Venezuela, Pope Francis received the 46 bishops of the Venezuelan Episcopal Conference, who arrived at the Vatican for the Ad Limina Apostolorum visit. The Holy Father asked the bishops to reaffirm their sense of belonging and service to the people.
(ANS - Rome) - When considering the death penalty, an infinite number of ideas, preconceptions and, above all, many questions arise. Does the image of the criminal in his grave really relieve the pain of someone who has lost a loved one, a victim of the worst atrocities? In the name of what may an institution, a man or a woman claim the right to pronounce and impose a death sentence?
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.