Rome, Italy - October 2018 - Antonio Boccia is the new World Coordinator of the Association of Salesian Cooperators. The announcement was made by Fr Ángel Fernández Artime, Rector Major of the Salesian Congregation, on the evening of Saturday 27 October, during the 5th World Congress. "To know that the Salesian identity is a priority for you (all) leaves me joyful and peaceful," the Rector Major told the more than 300 participants at the Congress, coming from 66 countries. "Young people, in their reality, are our priority as Salesians in the world. I think that feeling this means that the Holy Spirit continues to accompany our reflection and the journey we take: they have been days of grace for the association." Fr Á.F Artime, referring to the closing of the Synod, in which he took part, recalled how "in the Synod document you will meet many elements that speak of young people, their poverty, their challenges." Before announcing the name of the new World Coordinator, the Rector Major thanked all three candidates and he spent words of gratitude for Noemi Bertola, outgoing Coordinator, for her efforts over the last six years, at the service of the association and young people all over the world.
(ANS - Rome) - "Called to be co-responsible to answer and respond to new challenges", thus the title of the V World Congress of the Association of Salesian Cooperators that began Thursday, October 25. Over 300 Salesian Cooperators from 66 countries across the globe are gathered in the "Fraterna Domus" in Sacrofano, just outside Rome, to outline together the guidelines of the association for the next six years.
(ANS - Vatican City) – Among the guests invited to the daily briefing for journalists reporting on the Synod of Bishops on Youth, on Monday 22 October, the Rector Major of the Salesians, Fr Ángel Fernández Artime also intervened. The assembly's general environment, the requests of young people, the expectations on the final document and where to provide answers, some of the topics dealt with in his quick talk.
(ANS - Vatican City) - The Synod is an opportunity to talk about young people and with young people, but the Church also has a lot to learn from them. It is, therefore, necessary to undertake a journey together. The Rector Major, Fr Ángel Fernández Artime, is fully aware of this.
(ANS - Vatican City) – Being open and near young people, with special attention to those from immigrant communities, the focus of the Salesians' Rector Major, Fr Ángel Fernández Artime, speaking at the Synod of Bishops.
Vatican City, Vatican - October 2018 - Salesian and FMA participants of the Synod of Bishops visited the Salesian community of the Vatican.
PHOTO GALLERY
INTERVIEWS
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Democratic Republic of Congo – Fr Owoudou on the situation in the eastern parts of the country: “No matter how dark the night may seem, dawn will inevitably come”(ANS - Goma) - During his latest phase of the Extraordinary Visit to the "Mary Most Holy Assumption" Province of Central Africa (AFC), Fr. Alphonse Owoudou, Councillor for the Africa Madagascar Region, conducted an interview with the magazine "JAMBO VIJANA," representing the youth engaged in the Salesian works of the Province's Eastern Delegation. Addressing the ongoing violence and conflicts in the region, Fr. Owoudou expressed hope, saying: "No matter the length of the night, dawn will inevitably come."
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.