(ANS - Maputo) – These days, with the slogan "Don Bosco Among Us!", Mozambique's Salesian Family is experiencing moments of festive celebration for the presence of Rector Major Fr Ángel Fernández Artime, X Successor of Don Bosco, on his Animation Visit to the country.
(ANS - Turin) - The mortal remains of Fr Luigi Ricceri, Fr Egidio Viganò, Fr Juan Edmundo Vecchi - respectively, the sixth, seventh and eighth successors of Don Bosco - arrived in Valdocco on the afternoon of Monday, November 20. Their remains lay in the Salesian cemetery at the Catacombs of San Callisto, Rome, until the morning of Saturday, 18 November, when they started their journey from the capital to Turin; in Turin, a delegation from the Community of Mary Help of Christians arranged for their placement inside the dedicated wing, namely, in the Chapel of the Relics of the Basilica of Mary Help of Christians.
(ANS - Luanda) – Having arrived in Benguela on Friday, 17 November, the Rector Major, Fr Ángel Fernández Artime, then spent the next three days bringing his encouragement, as the Successor of Don Bosco, to the young people and the Salesian Family of Angola.
(ANS - Rome) – November is a month full of travel for the Rector Major, Fr Ángel Fernández Artime. 72 hours after his return to Rome following his long and festive Indian tour - between Bangalore, Guwahati and Mumbai - the X Successor of Don Bosco is preparing for a new intercontinental trip to animate the Salesians and Salesian Family of two thriving Vice Provinces: Angola and Mozambique. A trip that will keep him busy from 17 to 26 November: right in time to reach Madrid for the International Youth Ministry and Family Congress (27 November-1 December).
I chose this enigmatic title for my greeting this month because I want to make reference to one Salesian who spent 18 months in captivity and another 34 SDBs and FMAs who will leave for the missions in various parts of the world. Ever since the very first one on November 11, 1875, there have been 148 missionary expeditions for our Salesian Family. These evoke the profound feeling that grace is at work.
(ANS - Mumbai) - Four days of intense activity, including anniversaries, significant encounters, celebrations and moments of animation as the authentic Successor of Don Bosco: how Fr Ángel Fernández Artime, the Rector Major, spent the last days of the week just passed in the Indian Provinces of Guwahati and Mumbai.
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.”