(ANS – Rome) – The Integral Ecology Course in English, entitled "Course on Integral Ecology: from Laudato si' to Laudate Deum", will start next Thursday, 25 January 2024, offered digitally thanks to the collaboration of the Pontifical Universities and Athenaeums in Rome. This is a common commitment in favour of our Common Home, in response to the appeals and magisterial indications of the Holy Father Pope Francis. The initiative also sees the Pontifical Salesian University (UPS) in the front row and there is no shortage of personalities from the Salesian world on the teaching staff.
Vatican City, Vatican - November 2023 - The WYD Lisbon 2023 delegation, made up of some 800 volunteers from the Local Organising Committee and the WYD Lisbon 2023 Foundation, was received by Pope Francis on 30 November in the Paul VI Hall at the Vatican. Pope Francis said about World Youth Day: "I remember the meeting in Lisbon with great emotion, and also as a memory: simple people, who did everything they could". Pope Francis recalled and reaffirmed the message he gave to millions of young people in Lisbon, that the Church is a place for everyone. "Continue to dream together, continue to involve in successive waves new fellow dreamers of a society made up of all and with respect for each one. I repeat this and I am happy to see that so many are already echoing me: 'everyone, everyone!'" he asked his listeners.
(ANS – Vatican City) – Pope Francis sends a video message for the inauguration of the “Faith Pavilion” during COP28 in Dubai, and highlights the need for alliances that promote care for Creation and peace. At the heart of Pope Francis’ video message to Dubai for the inauguration of the “COP28 Faith Pavilion” is the idea of creating alliances for the common good.
(ANS – Rome) – Today, Thursday 30 November, the "COP28" (28th Conference of the Parties) begins in Dubai, in the UAE, which will last until 12 December: an important climate conference attended by representatives from over 190 countries of the world and 200 private companies and civil society organisations. For the occasion, the Sector for Youth Ministry of the Salesian Congregation and "Don Bosco International" (DBI), the body that represents the Salesians of Don Bosco at the institutions of the European Union, join the prayers of Pope Francis so that this meeting is not only an event, but produces important commitments with lasting and sustainable effects for the planet and for all humanity. In addition, they also invite you to pray for the Holy Father who, for health reasons, will not be able to attend the meeting in person, as initially planned.
(ANS – Vatican City) – Addressing a delegation of the national Federation of Catholic Weeklies, of the Italian Periodical Press Union, of the "Corallo" and "Aiart - Cittadini mediali" associations, encourages them to promote an "ecology of communication" in the digital world and to follow the example of Blessed Carlo Acutis.
Vatican City – November 2023 – Yesterday, 6 November the Paul VI Hall welcomed about 7,500 children from all five continents who arrived to meet Pope Francis as part of the event sponsored by the Dicastery for Culture and Education entitled “Children meet the Pope”. After the initial greeting by Cardinal José Tolentino de Mendonça, Prefect of the Dicastery for Culture and Education, and a performance by singer Mr. Rain, the children welcomed the Holy Father in an atmosphere of great joy. The Pontiff, responding to the children’s questions, addressed delicate issues such as peace and the care of the planet. Pope Francis involved all those present, inviting them to join in praying the Our Father, followed by a minute of silence for the victims of conflict. The event then ended on the notes of the famous song "We are the world" and with a choreography with the globes that were raised to symbolise the land that everyone, starting from the youngest, must take care of.
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.”