NEWS
(ANS - Santiago) - On the afternoon of Sunday 18 October, the churches dedicated to Maria Assunta and St Francesco Borgia in the center of Santiago were attacked by local demonstrators: the church of the Assumption was totally destroyed, while the second, the institutional chapel of the Carabinieri, was damaged, but was saved by the intervention of the Fire Department. The attacks took place on the first anniversary of the social mobilization that began with marches and clashes that left thousands injured and thirty dead and put Sebastián Piñera's government in crisis. The archbishop of Santiago, Msgr. Celestino Aós, and the Provincial of the Salesians of Chile, Fr Carlo Lira, expressed their views on the matter.
(ANS - Palabek) - The production and distribution of over 24,000 masks in the Palabek refugee camp in northern Uganda has earned Salesian missionaries recognition from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). The symbolic award gives even more value to the work of the Salesians among the approximately 56,000 refugees present in the camp, mostly women and children who fled the war in South Sudan.
(ANS – Boddupalli) – This story needs to be said. It’s not a story of massive donations received and distributed to the needy during the pandemic. This is the true story of a different kind of “Widow’s Mite”. But a story which was long in the making. Four very young little heroes, school children who are members of our Human Rights Clubs.
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.”