Rome, Italy – March 2024 - The St Joseph Cafasso Salesian Community in Testaccio has joyfully hosted Fr Stefano Martoglio, Vicar of the Rector Major, for the Extraordinary Visitation held from 8 to 11 March. During the Visit, Fr Martoglio had time to meet with the house council, each confrere of the community, the parish council and the members of the oratory.
(ANS – Rome) – Today we are interviewing Fr Marco Panero, Salesian, professor of Moral Philosophy at the Pontifical Salesian University and Councillor of the Apostolic Penitentiary. His volume of meditations is in the bookstores and is particularly suitable for this time of Lent, with the intriguing title: "In the tent of meeting. Meditations on spiritual life " (Edizioni Ancora, 2023 – ISBN 978-88-514-2783-2).
(ANS – Rome) – The Salesian Missionary Volunteer program meeting, a collaborative effort between the Mission Sector and Youth Ministry Sector, has commenced with two days of profound engagement and learning. Participants from around the world have gathered to deliberate on the Salesian congregation's volunteer programs, with more updates anticipated as the meeting unfolds.
(ANS – Rome) – Accompanying young people on their path to integral maturity cannot ignore education in love, affectivity and sexuality, especially in today’s society, where young people are faced with a complexity of anthropological visions, models and behavioural options as never before. Aware of this, the Salesian Congregation has already been moving for years to ensure that those involved in educating the young know how to be a valid point of reference in the challenges of this era. It is in this regard that the upcoming conference "Youth and Sexuality. Challenges, criteria and educational paths" organised by the Pontifical Salesian University (UPS) in Rome for the coming weekend (1-3 March 2024). It will also involve the General Councillor for Youth Ministry, Fr Miguel Angel García Morcuende, during all the proceedings, and on the final day also Cardinal Ángel Fernández Artime, Rector Major of the Salesians, who will preside at the concluding Eucharist.
(ANS – Rome) – The Salesian Congregation’s Sector for Youth Ministry and the Pontifical Salesian University (UPS) are promoting a higher-level formation course for Salesian leaders in Europe.
(ANS - Rome) - The second session of the Course on Integral Ecology will begin tomorrow, 15th February 2024, chaired by the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross in Rome, while admissions to the course remain open up to 31st March 2024. The first session witnessed a very good participation of more than 500 members from all over the world.
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.”