(ANS – Rome) – It is enlightening to recall, even if only briefly, some details of the process by which Don Bosco arrived at his intense devotion to Mary under the title of Help of Christians. They may lead us to a better understanding of the physiognomy of his and our vocation.
(ANS – Rome) – It is certainly a fact, and we are very grateful for it, that there is an intimate link between devotion to the Help of Christians and our salesian vocation. It is not difficult to demonstrate this in Don Bosco: from the beginning as in the dream at Becchi at the age of nine, to the end as in the dream at Barcellona in 1886; from the catechism classes begun with Bartholomew Garelli, to the way in which he obtained the approval of the Constitutions of the Society of St Francis of Sales; from the intimate conviction of Don Bosco expressed on so many occasions, to the extremal sign of the wonderful works he accomplished. But the origins are only the first fruits of the total reality.
(ANS - Rome) - Can we speak of an “originality” in our devotion to the Help of Christians which, in our desire to enter whole-heartedly into the Marian movement of the present day, should lead us to emphasize and develop certain characteristic aspects that emerge as distinctive of this devotion?
(ANS – Rome) – Why is it still important to spread devotion to Our Lady? Some Argentine educators, in May 2018, answered this question by presenting Mary Help of Christians and her relevance today.
(ANS – Rome) – As often happens with saints, Don Bosco looked at the history of everything from God's perspective. With his eyes fixed on heaven, he never took his feet off the ground.
(ANS – Rome) – One of the most important legacies that Don Bosco left to the Salesian Family is devotion to Mary Help of Christians. Countless schools, chapels, squares and neighbourhoods around the world bear her name. Millions of children, older youth and adults gather around the Virgin and are sheltered beneath her mantle. Although the devotion existed before, it was Don Bosco who made it popular all over the world and left it as an example, for protection and encouragement.
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 – The houses of "Don Bosco's Madonna" around the world: the Basilica of Mary Help of Christians in Almagro, Buenos Aires(ANS – Rome) – Even after the Feast of Mary Help of Christians, the series of in-depth studies dedicated to the most famous shrines dedicated to Don Bosco's Madonna throughout the world continues. Today we present the church dedicated to her in the Almagro district of Buenos Aires, Argentina.
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.