THE MESSAGE OF THE RECTOR MAJOR,
Don Ángel Fernández Artime, SDB
This June I wish to present to you the reality of the meaning of the Basilica of the Sacred Heart in Rome (Sacro Cuore). It is a church with a very great history – one that has its roots in Don Bosco himself – for at the Pope’s request he spent the last years of his life, as well as his last energies and strength, on the construction of this beloved church.
(ANS – Rome) – Given its position at the heart of the Eternal City, close to Termini station, every year it is visited by around 800,000 people – many of whom just in passing but also drawn to it by its many beautiful art pieces, and who then discover an oasis of peace and spirituality where they can pause before setting out once more, some to travel, some to return to their daily affairs. This is the Sacred Heart Basilica in Rome, a church that was one of Don Bosco’s major concerns in the final years of his life. Over these days it has been preparing to celebrate its patronal feast.
(ANS - Rome) - As the two major Salesian feasts of January draw near - St. Francis de Sales, on January 24, even more solemn this year on the 400th anniversary of the saint's death, and St. John Bosco, on January 31 - the initiative of daily Masses broadcast live on TV from the Basilica of the Sacred Heart in Rome comes into its own. For several days now, in fact, some members of the General Council have been presiding over the celebrations; and in the last week of the month, there will be none other than the Rector Major, Fr Ángel Fernández Artime, and his Vicar, Fr Stefano Martoglio.
(ANS - Rome) - 2022 opens with good news for the Salesian Family and all the sympathizers and friends of Don Bosco: starting tomorrow, 1 January, and until the feast of Don Bosco, 31 January, TV2000 will broadcast Mass live every day from the Salesian Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in Rome. Furthermore, on Sundays throughout the month, Canale 5 will also broadcast the Mass from the same basilica.
(ANS - Rome) – The funeral mass of Fr. Giuseppe Nicolussi, SDB (1938-2021), presided by the Rector Major F.r Ángel Fernández Artime, took place yesterday, 1st October, in the Sacred Heart Basilica, Rome. The funeral ceremony was well attended by many Salesians in Rome. The live streaming also made it possible for many people from all over the world, to accompany the last journey and pay fitting homage to a Salesian who was much loved in the Congregation, and beyond.
(ANS - Rome) - The basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in Rome is an oasis of peace to pray, enjoy the sacrament of forgiveness and the Eucharist for many people, also due to its location, adjacent to the city's central train station. The church has always been entrusted to the Salesians, as it was built by Don Bosco himself on the mandate of Pope Leo XIII. On the sidelines of last Friday's patronal feast, with the Mass presided by the Rector Major, Fr Ángel Fernández Artime, we asked Fr Javier Ortiz, from the community that animates the parish, and Fr Guido Novella, parish priest, to comment on the celebrations and on the meaning of this Salesian presence in the heart of the city.
PHOTO GALLERY
INTERVIEWS
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RMG – “Do Elderly Salesians have a role in the Digital Culture?”
The answer in the letter “Sharing wisdom and hope in digital culture” from the General Councillor for Social Communication
(ANS – Rome) – In view of the current digital reality, and due to the presence, especially in some regions of the Salesian world, of a large number of elderly Salesians, the General Councillor for Social Communication, Fr Gildasio Mendes, has decided to dedicate a special letter to them, entitled: "Sharing wisdom and hope in digital culture". Here is how he explains to ANS readers today the origins, significance and perspectives of this document.
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 BORORO
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.