(ANS - Bologna) – The Community of the Mission of Don Bosco, 28th Group of the Salesian Family, carried out their 2nd General Assembly from 2 – 10 July, on the theme “As the Father has loved me, so I love you. Remain in my love (John 15:9) – with a particular spirituality in the Church and in the Salesian Family.” Delegates of the Community and the Salesian Delegates coming from Argentina, Chile, Haiti, Ghana, Burundi, Madagascar, Poland and Italy participated during the assembly days held in Bologna and Rome.
Rome, Italy - July 2016 - The 11th World Assembly of VIDES (International Voluntary Women Education and Development) ended on 18 July at the Salesianum. There were about 150 participants - young people and Daughters of Mary Help of Christians from 34 countries. Also present were Mother Yvonne Reungoat, Superior General of the FMA, Fr Ángel Fernández Artime, Rector Major of the Salesians, and members of the FMA and SDB Councils. Vides was founded by the FMA in 1991 and at present there are 209 groups engaged in volunteer service with the FMA in 42 countries worldwide.
(ANS - Rome) – A meeting of young people at the Salesian Oratory of the Sacred Heart in Rome in the year 1950. In the photo we see a Salesian in a black cassock, and many young people.
Gela, Italy - July 2016 – Summer activities are taking place from 20 June to 25 July in the Salesian Oratory of Saint Dominic Savio in Gela, in the Province of Sicily (ISI). About 450 children and young people are participating in the GREST programme entitled "Edelon, the extraordinary door", a path of human and Christian formation, to discover the plan God has for them. GREST is led by Fr Franco Crimi who is in charge of the oratory, Fr Aurelio di Quattro, Fr Pierpaolo Galota, about 80 leaders and collaborators and about ten parents.
Bari, Italy - June 2016 - On June 28, the Salesian Oratory of the Redeemer in Bari held a feast of law observance in collaboration with the police station as part of the 2016 Summer Camp. The State Police, with the Canine and Bomb Disposal Unit, led by director Dr Anna De Seno, met with 200 young people who daily attend the Salesian oratory in the Liberty district. The aim is to make young people aware of the law and to stop them engaging in unlawful and dangerous behaviour. The police gave a demonstration with sniffer dogs and anti-explosives and met with the young people and their parents on issues concerning law observance and bullying.
(ANS – Selva di Cadore) – The whole group of 16 FMA including Mother Yvonne Reungaut and 15 SDB including the Rector Major Fr. Ángel Fernandez Artime was hosted in the Santa Fosca di Cadore (Belluno, Northern Italy) retreat house in a wonderful weather and paradise-like natural environment of the Dolomites region (1400 meter above sea level). “Misericordes Sicut Pater” (Merciful as the Father) was the main theme of the joint spiritual retreat of both General councils preached by a Salesian Scripture scholar and Bishop Mauro Maria Morfino (Diocese of Alghero – Bosa, Sardegna).
PHOTO GALLERY
INTERVIEWS
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Portugal – Interview with the Rector Major of the Salesians, Cardinal Ángel Fernández Artime(ANS – Fatima) - During his visit to Portugal for the National Day of the Salesian Youth Movement and the Pilgrimage of the Salesian Family to Fatima, Cardinal Ángel Fernández Artime, Rector Major of the Salesian Congregation, gave a brief interview to the Salesians in Portugal, in which he talks about the importance of young people in the Salesian charism, the current challenges of the Congregation and its prospects for the future.
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 – "WE ARE NEVER FOREIGNERS IN FAMILY: Promoting and putting foster care in place for unaccompanied foreign minors"(ANS – Rome) – Next Tuesday, 28 May 2024, the Salesian Borgo Ragazzi Don Bosco work in Rome will host a conference with authorities and experts in the field to discuss a very topical issue: the reception and social inclusion of Unaccompanied Foreign Minors, focusing on the fundamental role that families can play.
SPECIAL REPORTS
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RMG – Houses of Don Bosco's Madonna around the world: the National Shrine of Mary Help of Christians Parañaque City, the Philippines(ANS – Rome) – On the second leg of the journey to discover the churches dedicated by the Sons of Don Bosco to Mary Help of Christians, attention goes to the national shrine erected in Parañaque City, Philippines: a spiritual centre that has been a driving force behind devotion to “Don Bosco’s Madonna” throughout the country.
MESSAGES OF THE RECTOR MAJOR
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MARY HELP OF CHRISTIANS FROM HERE TO THE WORLDTHE MESSAGE OF THE RECTOR MAJOR, Card. Ángel Fernández Artime
Dear readers of the Salesian Bulletin,
My affectionate and cordial greetings during this Easter season. In a world in turmoil, agitated by armed conflicts and no small amount of violence, we continue to declare, announce, and proclaim that Jesus is Lord, raised by the Father, and that he LIVES. We strongly need His Presence in hearts willing to welcome Him.