(ANS – Turin) – Cardinal Ángel Fernández Artime, Rector Major, has confirmed the choice of the logo for the celebration of the 150th anniversary of the First Salesian Missionary Expedition. Thirteen provinces submitted their proposals to the logo competition, organised by the Missions Sector, from which a six-member commission selected the best logo according to predetermined criteria. The winning logo comes from the Czech Province of St John Bosco (CEP), and is the work of artist Martina Mončeková.
(ANS – Rome) – 11 November is an unforgettable date for all the Salesians around the world: the day the Congregation began its missionary thrust – a journey that began 148 years ago, on 11 November 1875 with the First Salesian Missionary Expedition, and which it has no intention of stopping. Indeed, the entire Congregation is already looking forward to the 150th anniversary of that date which will be celebrated in two years time in 2025. After not even a century and a half, almost 10,000 Salesians have been sent to mission lands and the educational work that came from Don Bosco extends to over 130 countries on five continents. And the Rector Major's call to send missionaries to places of greatest need continues to be more valid than ever.
(ANS – Rome) – At the beginning of October, missionary month, the cycle of interviews with missionaries who were part of the 154th Salesian Missionary Expedition comes to an end. The last to introduce himself is a young Salesian from Vietnam, who already hopes one day to be remembered as a great servant and missionary for the people he is going to serve.
(ANS – Rome) – Don Bosco also wanted to leave as a missionary, but God's plan for him was different and in the end he never left for the missions ad gentes. But yet this Father and Master of the Young remains a model for missionary life as well. This is the witness given by today's young Vietnamese interviewee Quang Qui Nguyen Thomas, also a member of the 154th Salesian Missionary Expedition and destined for the Salesian mission in Great Britain.
(ANS – Rome) – Among the equipment that a missionary must never lack, there is undoubtedly the awareness that he is not alone in carrying out the mission. This knowledge is well rooted in the head and heart of the young missionary interviewed today. Strong in his unshakeable faith, he does not fear any difficulties along the path he will have to face, and only tries to take inspiration from the missionary action of the Good Shepherd.
(ANS – Rome) – That internationality and multiculturalism are distinctive features of the Salesian Congregation today is certainly not new. Indeed, several times the Rector Major has said that these are prophetic traits and destined to grow in the global face of Don Bosco's work. Therefore, the human and religious journey of Fr Jean Marie Karam, another of the missionaries of the 154th Salesian Missionary Expedition is not surprising: Lebanese by birth, with a Salesian formation carried out entirely in Italy, and already a missionary for two years in the Sudan Delegation belonging to the East Africa Province (AFE).
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.”