1934: Mario Giuseppe Francesco and Regina María Sívori, who met at the Salesian Oratory in San Antonio, get married.
1936: Jorge Mario Bergoglio receives the first Catholic sacrament in the parish of San Carlo Borromeo and Basilica of Mary Help of Christians.
Vatican City, Vatican - December 2019 - On December 5, Pope Francis received Delegations from the Italian regions of Trentino and the Veneto at the audience in the Apostolic Palace of the Vatican for the gift of the Christmas Tree and the Crib set up in St. Peter's Square. During the address to those present, the Pontiff expressed his deep gratitude, and underlined among other things "The crèche is a simple and admirable sign of our faith and should not be lost, on the contrary, it is beautiful that it is handed down by parents to children, from grandparents to grandchildren."
(ANS - Tokyo) - "From November 23 to 26 we received Pope Francis in Japan. We were surprised by his warm closeness, by his vigorous messages against the use and immoral possession of atomic weapons, on the protection of human life and the care of Creation, on the solidarity of refugees and immigrants." Thus, the bishop of Saitama, the Salesian Msgr. Mario Yamanouchi.
(ANS - Venice) - There is much excitement these days at the "Salesian University Institute of Venice" (IUSVE): the institute has begun the new academic year with two new degree courses in the sector most in vogue at the moment, social networks; and with this, yesterday, Wednesday 27 November, the institute's radio, Cube Radio, had an exceptional sponsor for the launch of its new Christmas broadcast called "Xmas Facts": Pope Francis, on the sidelines of the general audience, gave the start to the new multimedia show.
(ANS – Tokyo) – The Pastoral Visit of Pope Francis to Japan was held from November 23rd to 26th. The Pope, who was eager to mission in Japan when he was a seminarian, with the authority of Jesus Christ met many people on a hard schedule here in Japan and had the opportunity to share and pray together. Here Mr. Chihiro Okawa, a Salesian Past Pupil, shares how he lived this experience.
Hiroshima, Japan - November 2019 - On November 24, Pope Francis visited the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park in the presence of about 1,300 faithful, religious leaders, survivors and relatives of the victims of the atomic bomb that exploded on August 6, 1945, and instantly killed 80,000 people. After lighting a candle for all the victims and listening to the testimony of two survivors, who still today fight against the atomic bomb's devastating effects, Pope Francis sent the world a message: “With conviction I wish to reiterate that the use of energy Atomic for purposes of war is, today more than ever, a crime, not only against man and his dignity, but against any possibility of future in our common home.”
PHOTO GALLERY
INTERVIEWS
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Italy – Fr Bruno Bertolazzi's 100th anniversary, a life worth telling
(ANS - Potenza) - One hundred years well spent, with numerous successful paths and many anecdotes to be shared. But above all, a hundred years of life given to others. They are those experienced by the Salesian Fr Bruno Bertolazzi, who passed from the military uniform, worn during the Second World War against the Nazis, to the “Don Bosco uniform”, in the service of young people and the Salesian Congregation. Today he resides in Potenza, still concelebrates Mass and uses Facebook to keep in touch with the many past pupils who still seek him.
EVENTS
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Spain – "Salesian communication in Spain is a point of reference for the whole Congregation"
(ANS - Madrid) - The National Delegation of Social Communication held the VII Salesian Communication Day on Wednesday 24 February on the theme “From online content to communication”. This edition, which took place online, brought together more than 120 Delegates and those responsible for communication from the various Salesian presences and entities. The meeting's central moment revolved around the intervention of Fr Gildásio Mendes dos Santos, General Councilor for Social Communication.
SPECIAL REPORTS
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France – Migrants and young people, Salesian network at the forefront
(ANS - Paris) - For many years, unaccompanied foreign minors (UASC) have been welcomed in the Homes of Children of a Social Character (MECS) of the “Don Bosco Action Social” network. But in the last five years this apostolate has received a clear acceleration, so much so that today there are almost a thousand UASCs accompanied by the Salesian network. Like? Where? Why? Here is the answer to all these questions.
MESSAGES OF THE RECTOR MAJOR
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LORD, HELP ME NEVER STOP BEING AMAZED OR BECOME INURED TO REALITY
«This is my prayer after having visited over 100 nations around the world where there are Salesian presences... and where I came to know realities that are so incredible, fascinating, precious, and often times so painful».