(ANS – Rome) – In 2022, at the beginning of the war in Ukraine, the Italian Salesian bodies active in international solidarity – the Salesian Mission Office in Turin, Missioni Don Bosco; the DON BOSCO NEL MONDO Foundation; the Foundation “Opera Don Bosco onlus" (Milan); the Foundation “Opera Don Bosco nel mondo” (Lugano) and the Volontariato Internazionale per lo Sviluppo NGO (VIS) – decided to coordinate their work to make their emergency response concrete in the face of the needs arising from the context of war. A series of projects thus came into existence, that over these two years have accompanied the Salesians and the local population to cope with the particularly heavy situations they have had to endure.
(ANS – Rome) – After the publication of the new document on the Salesian Youth Oratory-Centre on 8 December 2023, prepared by the Salesian Youth Ministry Sector and the result of an in-depth process of reflection, updating and collaboration with all the Provinces, the Sector has scheduled the official presentation worldwide of this document: it will take place on Wednesday, 24 April 2024.
(ANS – Rome) – The first business card of a communication project is its title or motto, and its graphic image, i.e. the logo. In the run-up to the Communication 2024 Conference, "Shaping Tomorrow", scheduled to take place from 1 to 7 August 2024 at the facilities of the Pontifical Salesian University (UPS) in Rome, the Congregation's Social Communication Sector today explains the meanings of these two elements.
(ANS - Rome) - Young people from all over the world are once again invited to participate in the "Don Bosco Global Youth Film Festival" (DBGYFF), the Salesian international youth film festival. The Social Communication Sector of the Salesian Congregation has in fact joyfully announced the third edition of the competition, the final of which is scheduled for 17-18 October 2024 - as usual in a multitude of realities and locations in over 100 countries around the world. With reference to the bicentenary year of the dream of Don Bosco at the age of nine, and in tune with the global concern for the care of Creation, the theme of this year's festival is: "I have a Dream - Youth and Climate Change - Making Mother Earth Cleaner and Greener".
(ANS - Rome) – In a meaningful step towards fostering unity and dedication among Salesian Missionary Volunteering (SMV), the Salesian Congregation proudly unveils the SMV Cross. This emblem, infused with the essence and values of the Salesian mission, is jointly introduced by the Youth Ministry and Missions Sectors, serving as a potent symbol of commitment among volunteers.
(ANS – Rome) – Ten years of gifts from Salesian "Strennas". Ten years in which the world has changed while remaining the same. Or rather, human beings, their thoughts, doubts and passions are always the same. The Rector Major of the Salesians, Successor of Don Bosco, writes a pastoral letter every years that is called "strenna", because as St John Bosco wanted and began to carry out, it is a gift.
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.