A quick look at the historical context of Don Bosco is enough to conclude that the success of his apostolic projects was due for a great part to his great capability of leadership. Exactly as today, the society of the late 19th century was going through a moment of deep social and political crisis and a crisis of values. All the borders were blending, all the structures that till that moment seemed solid were put into question and the lives of millions of people, which till that time were based on agricultural economy, were violently crumbling and, even more, were profoundly affecting the beliefs and values of people.
(ANS - Guanajuato) – Starting off from Italy, and passing through more than 130 countries over several years, the relics of Don Bosco have now arrived in Leon, Guanajuato, and will remain there. Youth, children and whole families gathered on Sunday 15 May, the feast of Pentecost, to welcome them.
(ANS - Rome) - On May 9, 1876, Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord, Don Bosco’s plan to form a lay branch of people committed to the education and salvation of the neediest young people received the seal of Pope Pius IX. This year, therefore, marks the 140th anniversary of the Association of Salesian Cooperators, the third group of the Salesian Family, which has over 30,000 members in about 1,400 local centres in 11 regions.
The book by Fr Pietro Braido, SDB, and edited by Fr Francesco Casella, SDB, outlines a spiritual and pedagogical itinerary whose focal point is Don Bosco, not the activity of Don Bosco, but his being: the priest of the young and founder of institutes of consecrated men and women, apostles of youth.
A photograph from 1929, the year of the beatification of Don Bosco. The photo shows a sketch of a huge painting and appears as a single image: Don Bosco, Mary and Jesus with the Angel. This painting is located at the top of the Dome of the Basilica of Mary Help of Christians in Turin. It shows Don Bosco with Mary Help of Christians, taking her hand and receiving from her roses which he then distributes. Historians do not know the date when it was painted on the dome nor the precise meaning of this painting, but the image remains attractive, with Don Bosco’s hand resting on Our Lady, the eyes with which she looks at the saint, and the serene face of Don Bosco as he receives and distributes the roses.
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 – Artificial Intelligence and "The Oratory". Two events for reflection and debate at UPS(ANS – Rome) – The Faculty of Social Communication Sciences (FSC) of the Pontifical Salesian University (UPS), based in Rome, is promoting two events in May, the month in which the World Day of Social Communications is celebrated (this year, Sunday 12th) as well as the anniversary of the charismatic Letter from Rome by Don Bosco (10 May). They will explore the dimension of communication in its current and future panorama and the continuing relevance of the Salesian presence among young people at risk. These issues will be addressed through the presentation of a book on "Artificial Intelligence. In search of humanity", Thursday 16 May 2024, and the screening of the film "The Oratory", Friday 17th.
SPECIAL REPORTS
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RMG – 16 May 1887: Don Bosco's weeping, the Sacred Heart and unwavering faith in Divine Providence(ANS – Rome) – On 16 May 1887, Don Bosco celebrated his first and only Mass at the altar of Mary Help of Christians at the church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus at the Castro Praetorium, in Rome, the church whose construction cost him so much effort and suffering in the last years of his life. In that Mass, interrupted by tears 15 times, Don Bosco, now close to the end of his mortal life, had the grace to understand the entire journey made in the thousand apostolates and in the infinite initiatives for young people throughout his life, and his childhood Dream suddenly became clear to him, thus also giving fulfilment to the prophetic affirmation of that dream: "In due time you will understand everything".
MESSAGES OF THE RECTOR MAJOR
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I’M A SALESIAN AND I’M A BOROROTHE 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.