(ANS – Madrid) – The courtyards, classrooms and theatres of the Salesians in Spain are dressing up to celebrate Christmas 2023, highlighting adults and children with living nativity scenes, parties, singing competitions and visits from the Three Kings. From children in kindergarten and primary school, who sang and danced to the rhythm of Christmas music, to the older ones who participated in parish choirs or collaborated in the setting up of living nativity scenes, everyone was able to enjoy "Salesian Christmas" for the umpteenth time.
(ANS – Valladolid) – On Friday 15 December 2023, in Valladolid, due recognition was given to the creativity and dedication of students and educational institutions engaged in the learning-service methodology, aimed at promoting a significant development of students and social action in the communities. All this was possible thanks to the event of the delivery of the Learning-Service Awards (ApS in Spanish), 2023 edition.
(ANS – Vigo) – “These 75 years show that education is really a matter of the heart.” This is what Fr Fernando García Sánchez, Superior of the Salesians from St James the Greater Province, Spain, told those present at the celebration for the 75th anniversary of the Hogar Afundación institute in Vigo. The commemorative event, held on Tuesday 19 December, filled the Centre's auditorium and involved several authorities.
Madrid, Spain - December 2023 - On 16 December, Fr Alfred Maravilla, General Councillor for the Missions, Salesian Brother Jean Paul Muller, Economer General, and Fr Juan Carlos Pérez Godoy, Councillor for the Mediterranean Region, took part in the ordinary six-monthly meeting of the Board of Directors of the Salesian Mission Office Madrid, "Misiones Salesianas". The presence of the three General Councillors as ex-officio members is an expression of communion with the Rector Major on the part of the Missionary Office, established by him to support the missionary activity of the whole Congregation (cf. Regulations, 24). Among the other members of the Board of Directors of "Misiones Salesianas" were the two Superiors of the Salesian Provinces of Spain: Fr Fernando García Sánchez (SSM) and Fr Fernando Miranda Ustero (SMX).
Salamanca, Spain - December 2023 - "They are our best young people, they are the ones God has given us." With these words the General Councillor for Youth Ministry, Fr Miguel Angel García Morcuende, addressed the participants at the meeting held on 16 December at the Salesian work in Pizarrales, Salamanca. The event was part of the activities organised on the occasion of the 125th anniversary of the arrival of Don Bosco's Salesians in Salamanca, and was attended by a broad representation of the various Salesian environments, the educational communities of the city's Salesian centres, Salesian Cooperators, and members of the Youth Centres. During his address, the General Councillor recalled the essence and roots of the Salesian spirit inherited from Don Bosco, paying particular attention to the dedication of this Salesian community to young people. He emphasised that even if the generations and customs of young people change, they are the best young people because they are the ones God has given us. After the reflection and sharing of the work carried out by the different Salesian environments in Salamanca, a more informal meeting took place, and then the event closed with the Eucharist.
Logroño, Spain – December 2023 – With the theme “The dream trip. Jesus shows you the way", between 8 and 10 December the CampoBosco 2023 was held in Logroño, as part of the Faith Education Curriculum. 150 young people, 30 leaders and 9 Salesians participated, all coming together with the intention of experiencing an intense weekend and family atmosphere. CampoBosco 2023 was organised by the Youth Ministry Sector of the St James the Greater (SSM) Province, Spain, preparing a rich program for the participants. After numerous activities and moments of reflection, the event ended on 10 December with the Eucharist presided over by Fr Xabier Camino, Delegate for Youth Ministry in the SSM Province.
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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Latin America – Strengthening Vocational and Educational Commitment Today: 30 Years of the Salesian School in Latin America(ANS) – Since the first meeting in Cumbayá (Ecuador), 30 years ago, educational processes on the continent have found a collaborative epicentre which has given rise to the Salesian School in (Latin) America – ESA, in Spanish – as a forum for reflection and a common path. Many Salesians of Don Bosco (SDB), Daughters of Mary Help of Christians (FMA) and other groups of the Salesian Family (SF) have enriched this synodal journey, focusing on young people and their integral development. What are today's demands of us in the educational field? How are we building the Salesian School of the future? Can we further strengthen this great Salesian educational network in America? Some FMAs and Salesians who were at the first meeting in 1994, share their experience and their vision of how this journey has allowed a growth in the understanding of the youth reality, in the strategic decisions within the Provinces themselves and in the challenges that emerge for Salesian education.
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.