(ANS - Bogotá) - In June, the first meeting of 2022 was held regarding the process of community reconstruction of the Salesian Historical Memory of the "St. Peter Claver" Province of Colombia-Bogotá (COB).
Tuluá, Colombia - June 2022 - The Salesian school "San Juan Bosco" in Tuluá organized a day of loving-kindness toward our "Common Home" on June 8. The youth of the Salesian Youth Movement (SYM) carried out the symbolic planting of 100 trees. This initiative is part of a large project in favor of the environment that includes the planting of 7,000 trees in the facilities of the farm "La Flora," belonging to the Institute, distributed thus: 3 hectares of forest, 2 km of a fence with hedges, 4 hectares for reforestation, 2 hectares of protective forest and 4 hectares of the silvopastoral system - a form of agroforestry in which the wooded area is used as pasture for livestock.
Copacabana, Colombia - May 2022 - On May 31 in the Salesian postnovitiate "Blessed Filippo Rinaldi" the official act and symbolic planting of 23 trees took place as the beginning of the alliance established between the Salesian Province of Medellín (COM) and the Metropolitan Area of Valle de Aburrá. The activity took place as part of the project called "Promotion and development of environmental culture in the social works and educational services of the Salesian Province 'San Luis Beltrán' of Medellín (COM)," sponsored by the German NGO "Don Bosco Mondo." The project plans to plan alliances with national and departmental entities that promote activities in favor of the environment, such as tree planting. To achieve this goal, for more than a year, contacts have been made with the Metropolitan Area to implement collaboration with would allow the planting of trees in the Salesian postnovitiate facilities in the municipality of Copacabana, Antioquia. After several inspections to analyze the land and the feasibility of planting, it was found that 3,800 trees could be planted in an area of about 24,045 square meters. The intervention aims not only to beautify the area but also to improve water infiltration processes, take care of water sources, promote ecological connectivity of the area, and provide shade and food for people and animals. Given the species present, it will be a nature reserve of native species and an observatory to assess their behavior.
Bogotá, Colombia - May 2022 - The Salesian Family celebrated the feast day of Mary Help of Christians with various activities. The feast to which so many faithful gather began with the Eucharist and the Holy Rosary; throughout the day there were artistic presentations, floral offerings, school contests, processions, and fireworks. This feast was welcomed with joy and brought together hundreds of parishioners from across the country since it had not been able to be celebrated for two years due to the pandemic.
Bogotà, Colombia - 1972 - The Past Pupils of the Salesian Institute "Juan del Rizzo," who finished their studies in 1972, celebrate the 50th anniversary of their graduating class. On this occasion, they shared this old black and white photograph of them right in front of the institute.
Colombia - Joint meeting of Provincial Councils of Bogotá and Medellín: fostering work in synodality
Bogotá, Colombia - May 2022 - To strengthen the work in synodality of the Salesian Provinces of Bogotá (COB) and Medellín (COM), a joint meeting of the Provincial Councils was held from May 1-3 at the "St. Francis de Sales" Spirituality Center, to review the Provincial projects. During the meeting, the work done by the inter-provincial commissions of Salesian Youth Ministry, Formation, Evangelization and Catechesis, and Joint Formation was shared. Similarly, the work done in the Provincial Chapters was also shared, where opportunities, tasks, and challenges that Salesians face deal with in shared mission in the service of Colombian youth were presented. A formative space was led by researcher Lola Cendales Gonzáles, who oriented the reflection on the need to strengthen the social projection of the Salesian charism in Colombia and shared her experience of accompanying young Colombians in vulnerable situations. The event concluded with a follow-up meeting on the educational-pastoral projection work of both Provinces. A general evaluation of the meeting and a visit to the campus of the Salesian University Foundation ended the gathering.
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.”