Capriglio, Italy - April 2024 - A Mass was celebrated in memory of the Venerable Margaret Occhiena, mother of Saint John Bosco on Tuesday, 2 April at 9:00 p.m., at the Parish of San Martino in Capriglio, in memory of her birth on 1 April 1788. The Mass was presided over by Fr Mario Maritano SDB, professor emeritus of Church History and Patrology. Concelebrating with him was the diocesan Vicar of the Mamma Margaret Pastoral Unit (formed by the communities of Capriglio, Montafia, Viale and Cortazzone) Fr Domenico Valsania. The Mass also featured the Mamma Margaret Choir, Capriglio. In his homily Fr Maritano, taking up the Gospel of the day, underlined how Jesus, calling Mary by name, also calls each of us by name. A personal, direct call that renews life in the light of his resurrection and the paschal mystery. So too Mamma Margaret was called by name by Jesus and her answer was prayer but above all charity towards her neighbour: she helped people less fortunate than herself during her life at the Becchi and then she was a caring mother for many boys at the Valdocco Oratory. The president of the Friends Association of the Mamma Margaret Museum, Diego Occhiena, with reference to the bicentenary year of John Bosco's childhood dream, highlighted the prophetic interpretation his moth made of the dream, imagining a priestly vocation for her son.
Chennai, India – April 2024 – The Salesian Province of Tiruchy India (INT), celebrates a double goal this year: the 25th anniversary (1999-2024) and its 9th Provincial Chapter. 69 Salesians, 5 members of the Salesian Family and 3 theology students gathered from 2 to 6 April 2024 at the Salesian Provincial House at Chennai (INM), for an event focused on reflection, discussion and decision. The central theme of the Provincial Chapter is the theme of the next GC29: "PASSIONATE ABOUT JESUS CHRIST, DEDICATED TO YOUNG PEOPLE. Living our Salesian vocation faithfully and prophetically.“ The opening Mass was celebrated by Archbishop George Antonysamy, archbishop of Madras - Mylapore, who in the homily underlined the salient aspects of the Salesian mission: friendly accompaniment, participatory governance and fervent evangelisation. During the opening ceremonies, several representatives of the Salesian Family spoke. Fr Robert Simon, moderator of the Provincial Chapter, encouraged members to participate actively, effectively and to make the Chapter a celebration. Fr Agilan Sarprasadam, INT Provincial, declared the Chapter open.
Genzano di Roma, Italy – April 2024 - The 6th Provincial Chapter on the evening of the first day of the Easter Octave with the singing of the Veni Creator and the official opening by the president Fr Stefano Aspettati, Superior of the Salesian Sacred Heart Circumscription of Central Italy (ICC). The Chapter assembly composed of 98 people, including Salesians and invited lay people, met in the Saint Aloysius Versiglia house in Genzano, Rome, where they will remain until Saturday, 6 April, to experience what is the moment of greatest shared responsibility in the life of a Province. The days, led by the Moderator Fr Michelangelo Dessì, will be marked by moments of prayer and assembly work times and commissions whose methodology this year will be inspired by the "spiritual conversations" that have animated the synodal assembly of the Church. The purpose of this is to give Chapter members the opportunity to listen to the Spirit to contribute on the one hand to the reflection in preparation for the 29th General Chapter of the Salesians of Don Bosco (set for 2025), for which the confreres will also be called to elect their own delegates, and on the other to share indications for the life of the Province.
Fr Francesco Galante
(ANS – Naples) – The "Don Bosco" of Naples gave life to the event to celebrate an anniversary of great importance: the 90th anniversary of the arrival of the Salesians in the outskirts suburb of Doganella. Under the title of "EDUCATING THE HEART OF NAPLES, for 90 years on Via (di) Don Bosco", the commemoration came to life in the splendid setting of the court theatre of the Royal Palace of Naples on Tuesday, 26 March.
(ANS – Rome) – As is the case every year, the retreat for the Zeffirino Namuncurà international community in Via della Bufalotta, Rome, the place for the students of theology, takes place once lessons conclude at the Pontifical Salesian University, before the Easter break, until Holy Thursday.
(ANS – Rome) – "The protocol signed on 27 March is a sign of fundamental importance that expands the network between associations and institutions to cultivate a correct culture of legality among young people, especially those at risk," said Cardinal Augusto Paolo Lojudice, honorary president of the Fonte d 'Ismaele association, one of the five associations involved in the "Free to Choose" project aimed at removing family members and especially minors from "criminal" contamination.
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 – "Education and culture of safeguarding in sport. Towards the establishment of protection and prevention models": PGS conference with UPS(ANS – Rome) – The synergy between the Salesian Youth Sports Centres (PGS) and the Pontifical Salesian University (UPS) in Rome gave rise to the conference on "Education and culture of safeguarding in sport. Towards the establishment of models of protection and prevention", which will take place on 13 April, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:45 p.m., at the UPS facilities in Rome.
SPECIAL REPORTS
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Latin America – Strengthening Vocational and Educational Commitment Today: 30 Years of the Salesian School in Latin America(ANS) – Since the first meeting in Cumbayá (Ecuador), 30 years ago, educational processes on the continent have found a collaborative epicentre which has given rise to the Salesian School in (Latin) America – ESA, in Spanish – as a forum for reflection and a common path. Many Salesians of Don Bosco (SDB), Daughters of Mary Help of Christians (FMA) and other groups of the Salesian Family (SF) have enriched this synodal journey, focusing on young people and their integral development. What are today's demands of us in the educational field? How are we building the Salesian School of the future? Can we further strengthen this great Salesian educational network in America? Some FMAs and Salesians who were at the first meeting in 1994, share their experience and their vision of how this journey has allowed a growth in the understanding of the youth reality, in the strategic decisions within the Provinces themselves and in the challenges that emerge for Salesian education.
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.