(ANS - Rome) - There is an air of great expecation throughout the Salesian world for the celebration of the Mass of the episcopal consecration of Card. Ángel Fernández Artime, the Rector Major of the Salesians of Don Bosco, Titular Archbishop-elect of Ursona; and that of Archbishop Giordano Piccinotti, Titular Archbishop-elect of Gradisca, President of the Administration of the Patrimony of the Apostolic See (APSA), which will take place next Saturday, 20 April 2024, in the Papal Basilica of St. Mary Major, starting at 3:30 p.m. (UTC+2). Both prelates will concelebrate their First Mass as bishops the following day, Sunday, 21st April, in the Salesian Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in Rome, starting at 11:30am.
THE 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.
(ANS – Rome) – Cardinal Ángel Fernández Artime, Rector Major of the Salesian Congregation, will be on retreat at the Santa Chiara convent of the Poor Clares in via Vitellia 95, Rome, from Friday 12 April 2024, until Monday 15th. A similar retreat is also being made by Archbishop Giordano Piccinotti, President of the Administration of the Patrimony of the Apostolic See (APSA), who will be consecrated bishop together with the Rector Major on 20 April 2024.
(ANS - Madrid) - On the evening of Thursday, April 4th, the premiere of 'Sueños, el musical', a production by Fr. Toño Casado, who is already known as the author and composer of other successful musicals such as '33 el musical' and 'Viacrucis', took place at the Salesian opera house 'Paseo' in Madrid. The musical narrates the story of Saint John Bosco and his dreams, particularly the prophetic dream he had at the age of nine, which profoundly influenced his life. Among the attendees at the premiere were the Rector Major of the Salesian Congregation, Cardinal Ángel Fernández Artime, Cardinal José Cobo Cano, Archbishop of Madrid, and the Archbishop Emeritus of Madrid, Cardinal Carlos Osoro Sierra.
(ANS – Salamanca) – After studying the final documents prepared by the five committees, the 2024 Provincial Chapter of Spain’s St James the Greater Province (SSM) Province, held from 31 March to 3 April 2024 in Santa Marta de Tormes (Salamanca), has concluded its work. Chapter members studied the two drafts of each of the prepared topics until they reached the final texts that were voted on the morning of Wednesday, 3 April. At the end of the work, the concluding Eucharist was celebrated by Cardinal Ángel Fernández Artime, Rector Major of the Salesians of Don Bosco.
(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.