(ANS - Puerto Maldonado) - After three days in Chile, Pope Francis reaches Peru today, January 18, the second and last stage of his apostolic journey to South America. Also in Peru to accompany the celebrations of the pontiff there will be a bit of "salesianity" - as previously in Iquique, where to adorn the altar of the mass there were 12 thousand traditional aluminum flowers by the Salesian past pupil Humberto Alache. This time, however, it is a crucifix and chairs for the Pope, all works created by the youth of the "Taller Don Bosco", to be used tomorrow, January 19, in Puerto Maldonado.
(ANS - Santiago) - It was with a climate of joy and celebration that the priests, consecrated persons and seminarians welcomed Pope Francis to the cathedral of Santiago for their meeting together. "We have long been awaiting you," said Salesian Cardinal Ricardo Ezzati, archbishop of Santiago, at the beginning of his opening address.
Vatican City, Vatican – 7 January 2018 – On Sunday, Pope Francis celebrated the Eucharist and baptized 34 children. "They too have their own dialect which does, and makes us feel, good!", the Pope exclaimed. "We must not forget this language of children, who speak as best they can, but it is the language Jesus likes so much." Then he invited the audience: "In your prayers be as simple as children. Tell Jesus what comes from your heart, as they do. They will do so today, by crying, yes, like children. (...) The dialect of parents is the love to transmit faith, and the children's dialect is to be welcomed by the parents to grow in faith."
(ANS - Santiago) – A few days from now, the Holy Father will visit two Latin American countries: Chile and Peru. In these nations, the Salesians work together with the people in difficult situations of conflict. Chile proposed as a theme: "My peace I give you", a phrase Jesus addressed to his disciples at the Last Supper. Two Salesian bishops will welcome the Holy Father in their respective dioceses: Bishop Héctor Vargas Bastidas, SDB, bishop of Temuco, and the Archbishop of Santiago, Cardenal Ricardo Ezzati Andrello, SDB, who sent a message to all the congregations motivating the Pope Francis' visit to Chile:
(ANS - Iquique) - From 15 to 18 January, Pope Francis will visit Chile. On the last day, he will celebrate Mass in the city of Iquique, 1700 kilometers from the capital. The Holy Father will crown the image of the Virgin of Carmen de la Tirana, being exhibited together with the images of San José, who represents the first migrant, and of San Lorenzo de Tarapaca.
(ANS - Vatican City) - World Day of Peace 2018, a 51-year initiative of courage and prophecy of the Catholic Church. Established by Paul VI with a message dated 8 December 1967, it was first celebrated on 1 January 1968. Since then, the Pope sends a message to the heads of nations and to all men of good that calls for reflection on the theme of peace, disarmament, justice and development.
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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Latin America – Strengthening Vocational and Educational Commitment Today: 30 Years of the Salesian School in Latin America(ANS) – Since the first meeting in Cumbayá (Ecuador), 30 years ago, educational processes on the continent have found a collaborative epicentre which has given rise to the Salesian School in (Latin) America – ESA, in Spanish – as a forum for reflection and a common path. Many Salesians of Don Bosco (SDB), Daughters of Mary Help of Christians (FMA) and other groups of the Salesian Family (SF) have enriched this synodal journey, focusing on young people and their integral development. What are today's demands of us in the educational field? How are we building the Salesian School of the future? Can we further strengthen this great Salesian educational network in America? Some FMAs and Salesians who were at the first meeting in 1994, share their experience and their vision of how this journey has allowed a growth in the understanding of the youth reality, in the strategic decisions within the Provinces themselves and in the challenges that emerge for Salesian education.
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.