Wisła, Poland – March 2024 – Last weekend (8-10 March) the first Lenten retreat of the Young Salesian Cooperators of the Krakow Province (PLS), from Oświęcim, Staniątki and Zabrze, was held in Wisła. During the three days, led by Fr Andrzej Król, SDB, the participants reflected on Eucharistic Pedagogy, discussing the sacraments of Penance and the Eucharist seen through the eyes of St John Bosco. It was a meeting full of fruitful conversations and mutual reinforcement. There was no lack of joy and time to mix together during an evening of celebration, a trip to the mountains and making music together.
Photo: Manuela Wieczorek
Krakow, Poland – March 2024 – The Salesian Cooperators Association (ASC) from the Province of Krakow (PLS) had its Lenten Spiritual Retreat at the Shrine of Our Lady of Oyster Brahma in Skarżysko Kamienna on 9 March 2024 . Representatives of local ASC communities from Jaslo, Skawa, Przemyśl, Rzeszów, Lublin, Kielce and Oświęcim took part, almost 50 people in all, along with five SDB delegates. During the Eucharist presided over by Fr Zygmunt Kostka, PLS Vice-Provincial, there was a special moment of prayer for all the concerns of the Salesian Family, especially for Ukraine, some works of which are under the aegis of the PLS Province. During the conference, Fr Wojciech Krawczyk shared his reflections on the Rector Major's Strenna 2024. Finally, the Way of the Cross, presided over by Fr Jan Kaczkowski, completed the retreat. At the same time, the youngest members of the Association experienced their three-day retreat in Wisła.
Wrocław, Poland – March 2024 - The "Oratoriada" event is a meeting for young people from the various Salesian presences in the Province of Wrocław (PLO), mainly for secondary schools. The meeting took place in the Twardogóra Oratory, and also included an event for young adults. The meeting was full of stimulating panels, creative workshops and spiritual experiences that left an indelible memory on all participants. The focal point of each day was the Eucharist and Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, which were deeply moving and spiritually enriching.
Pieszyce, Poland – February 2024 - the Youth Formation Meeting took place in the picturesque town of Pieszyce, from 23 to 25 February 2024, a unique event that brought together young people from various parts of the Salesian Province of Wrocław, Poland (PLO). Through various activities, more than 30 participants, from Środa Śląska, Tarnowskie Góry, Lubin, Wrocław and Twardogóra have developed their personality and skills as leaders in a process aimed above all at spiritual growth during Lent.
Krakow, Poland – February 2024 – The 93rd edition of the sacred representation of the Passion of Christ entitled "Misterium" was staged on 17 February, at the theatre in the Salesian Seminary (WSDTS) in Krakow. Actors were the Salesian clerics in Krakow and also some young people from the "Ziemia Boga" group. This year the theme of the performance is to invite all Christians to remember their baptism and to rediscover their relationship with Jesus and with others. "Misterium" is interwoven with meetings and relationships. It is a valuable help to live Lent and prepare for Easter. Director and author of the screenplay, for twelve years now, is an actor from the "Bagatela" Theatre in Krakow, Mr Marcin Kobierski. The show will run every Saturday and Sunday of Lent until 23 March.
Photo: Agnieszka Krzyształowicz
Krakow, Poland – February 2024 – A meeting of Rectors of and others in charge of Salesian presences of the Province of Poland-Cracovia (PLS) took place on 6-7 February in the Salesian Seminary in Krakow. Some special guests spoke: Mrs Joanna Urbańczyk, who spoke about the richness of the Salesian charism, seen through the eyes of a layperson; and Mrs Marta Trojanowska and Mr Tomasz Ślusarczyk, who gave a conference on the theme of the care of the Salesians' historical heritage: works of art and archival documents in Salesian institutions. In addition, the participants listened to the Provincial Delegates who presented the situation of the Youth Ministry, Social Communication and Salesian Missions Sectors.
Photo: PLS Facebook page
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.