Caracas, Venezuela - August 2023 - The Salesian Youth Ministry Sector for St Luke Province Venezuela is conducting the "Oratory on Holiday" (Ovas, in Spanish) 2023 programme over these weeks in all Salesian works and presences. Its motto is "Like Mary, do what Jesus tells us to do." Over 7,000 children, teenagers and young adults are participating in the various summer activities, carried out with the aim of continuing to educate and evangelise Venezuelan youth even during the school break. Last week, leaders and participants experienced their activities in an atmosphere of connection and spiritual communion with the more than one million pilgrims who came to Lisbon for the great event of World Youth Day. Through their testimonies, the youngsters are happy to be part of the great movement of young people who continue to seek Jesus in their lives and their vocation.
(ANS – Žytomyr) – Thinking about relief and fun for young Ukrainians during this summer is the task that the Salesians in the country have given themselves. “Although the war continues and there are frequent alarms night and day, we tried to make our children happy” they write from Žytomyr, a region bordering Belarus.
(ANS – Kiev) – The war in Ukraine has now lasted for over 500 days. Many families are taking advantage of the summer to return to their hometowns and reunite with their families, but millions of refugees and displaced people are unable to do so due to the danger of shelling. Children, who suffer most from separation from their families and from the traumas of the Russian invasion, have the opportunity in recent weeks to participate in numerous summer camps organised by the Salesians both in Ukraine and in the countries hosting Ukrainian refugees.
(ANS – Vatican City) – The role of educator is undoubtedly fascinating, especially when it takes place in a setting like the Vatican. The Salesians who are conducting the Estate Ragazzi 2023 know something about this They are young people who have become educators by choice and by mission. Faithful to Don Bosco's and Mary Domenica Mazzarello's charism, they seek to bring the Gospel message to the new generations and, at the same time, to form and encourage creativity so that minds can grow.
(ANS – Vatican City) – For the fourth consecutive year, what is happening in many other Salesian oratories and summer centres around the world is being renewed in the shadow of the Dome of St Peter's: Estate Ragazzi (Summer Youth). Coordinating what is not only time for play and recreation, but also of formation, socialisation and friendship is, as in past years, Salesian Fr Franco Fontana, chaplain of the Directorate of Security and Civil Protection Service and the Vatican Museums, the one whom Pope Francis last August called “the spiritual soul of the Vatican”.
(ANS - Damascus) - More than three months after the Feb. 6 earthquake and the countless aftershocks that followed, the situation for the people of Syria has not improved significantly. The war's aftermath, the economic and social crisis the country is experiencing, rising prices, lack of food, lack of work... have thrown the population into a great and widespread depressive mood, to which even children are no strangers. Like every year, the Salesians in Syria are now preparing summer activities for children, which this year have a stated purpose: to help nearly 2,000 children, teenagers, and young people overcome the trauma caused by the earthquake.
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.”