Uruguay - Rector Major: "Commitment and life pass through a personal and profound experience of God"
(ANS - Montevideo) - On Thursday morning, 10 May, Fr. Ángel Fernández Artime, Rector Major, began his day by presiding at Mass for aspirants and young people in vocational discernment in the Provincial House. Later he went to "Talleres Don Bosco" for the celebration of the 125 years of the center that combines offering work skills with the development of values, and for the 50 years of the "Benigno Paiva lrisarri" institute, a Salesian house for teenagers located in the countryside around the small town of Sarandí del Yí, in the department of Durazno.
(ANS - Montevideo) - Yesterday, Wednesday 9 May, the Rector Major, Fr Ángel Fernández Artime, experienced an intense series of activities in Uruguay: first the meeting with the President of the Republic, then the meeting with the Salesian Provincial, Fr Alfonso Bauer, and his Council, followed by lunch with the bishops, a visit to the nursing/rest homes of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians, another to the Minga Project center and, finally, he participated in the thanksgiving event by this last towards the community of Las Piedras.
Montevideo, Uruguay - May 2018 - On 9 May, Fr Ángel Fernández Artime, Rector Major, received the bishops of the dioceses of the country from the provincial house of Uruguay (URU): the bishop of Florida, Msgr. Martín Pérez Scremini, with bishop emeritus, mgr. Raúl Scarrone Carrero; the bishop of Canelones, mgr. Alberto Sanguinetti Montero; the bishop of Mercedes and President of the Episcopal Conference of Uruguay, mgr. Carlos Collazzi, SDB; the bishop of Melo, mgr. Heriberto Bodeant; and archbishop emeritus of Montevideo, mgr. Nicolas Cotugno, SDB.
Montevideo, Uruguay - May 2018 - On 9 May the Rector Major of the Salesians, Fr Ángel Fernández Artime, was received by the President of the Republic of Uruguay, Dr Tabaré Vázquez, in the presidential residence of Suárez y Reyes. The X Successor of Don Bosco was accompanied by the Provincial of Uruguay, Fr Alfonso Bauer, and Fr Marcelo Fontona. During the meeting, President Vázquez and the Rector Major discussed current affairs, underlining the impact of several figures, such as Pope Francis, on world affairs. President Vázquez and Fr Á.F. Artime also spoke about the collaboration and support of the Salesians in the process of educating Uruguayan youth and about the first education-work agreements with the "Tacurú Movement", for which the Rector Major thanked the President for his collaboration in favor of young people. The President, underlining his socialist status, highlighted the challenge in exercising government to articulate equality and freedom and he shared several anecdotes with Fr Artime concerning his own youth experience in the Salesian Oratory of La Teja, saying he was an heir of the values of the Salesian oratory.
(ANS - Rome) - The Rector Major, Fr Ángel Fernández Artime, on the occasion of the celebration of the 150th anniversary of the consecration of the Basilica of Mary Help of Christians, and in light of the XXXIV World Youth Day, to be held in Panama, wanted to produce a publication that offers a look at the city much loved by Don Bosco.
(ANS - Montevideo) - "I dream of encountering the 'sympathy' of young Uruguayans," said the Rector Major, Fr Ángel Fernández Artime, on arriving in Uruguay on the night of Tuesday, 8 May. Coming from Paraguay, the Rector Major landed at the Carrasco airport at 9:40 pm, together with his Secretary, Fr Horacio López, and the Regional Councilor for the America South Cone, Fr Natale Vitali.
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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“Speaking with the Heart”: A great Antidote for the Ills of today’s world
‘Revolutionize the world with your kindness, by speaking with your heart’, is the dream that Pope Francis envisions for humanity through his 57th World Communication Day message, that falls on this Ascension Sunday, 21st May 2023. ‘Speak with your heart in truth and charity’, and this is the best antidote that can cure the ills of today’s society.
EVENTS
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Italy – "Labs To Future": the final event of the "Labs To Learn" project in Valdocco
(ANS – Turin) – The final event of the "Labs to Learn" project was held on Tuesday, 5 March 2024, entitled "Labs To Future: The path – The results – The challenges" . The project was selected by the "Con i Bambini" social enterprise within the framework of the Foundation for the Fight against Child Educational Poverty and came into being with the intention of combating early school leaving and preventing educational poverty, increasing the number of young people with difficulties who fulfil their school obligation, access higher education and/or job placement, and opening the way for personal growth according to their inclinations and aspirations.
SPECIAL REPORTS
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Peru – Centenary of the High Altar of the Basilica of Mary Help of Christians in Lima
(ANS – Lima) – The centenary of the consecration of the high altar in the Crypt of the Basilica of Mary Help of Christians in Lima was celebrated on 19 March, on the feast of St Joseph and in homage to Fr José Calasanz Marqués, then Provincial of the Salesians in Peru and Bolivia – now recognised as Blessed by the Church – on account of his name.
MESSAGES OF THE RECTOR MAJOR
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DREAMS THAT KEEP COMING TRUE!
THE MESSAGE OF THE RECTOR MAJOR, Card. Ángel Fernández Artime, SDB
When reflecting on all this, I feel I have a little authority to say: “Dear Don Bosco, your Dream is still VERY ALIVE.”