NEWS PHOTOS
Lima, Peru – May 2023 - On 31 May, the feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and in the presence of Fr Juan Pablo Alcas, Provincial of Peru (PER), a group of 25 members of the Magdalena del Mar group of the Association of Mary Help of Christians (ADMA) renewed their commitment to love the Blessed Virgin and spread devotion to the Help of Christians through the example of their live. The Salesian responsible for the group, Fr Martín Cipriano, had presented the approval of the ADMA group from the Parish of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Magdalena de Mar, in Lima on 24 February 2023. The document is registered as no. 2269, signed by the Rector of the Basilica of Mary Help of Christians, by the President of the ADMA Primary in Turin, Italy, and by the Spiritual Animator of the ADMA. During the celebration, Fr Alcas received the consecration of some children and young people to the Virgin Mary. Subsequently, the Provincial blessed the medals of Mary Help of Christians and gave them out, inviting everyone to spread devotion to Mary through the example of their life. Later, he called on ADMA members to renew the commitment they had taken on as members. "We seek to tirelessly promote devotion to Mary Help of Christians and adoration of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament with words and life inspired by the Gospel, in the spirituality and mission of Don Bosco. May Mary Help of Christians accompany you with her motherly assistance and help you to grow in friendship with Jesus. May your renewed commitment help you to be signs of God's love.”
Kanyarucinya, D.R. Congo – June 2023 – After helping the internally displaced persons who live in the Don Bosco Shasha camp, about 40 km southwest of Goma, on 25 May, on 1 June in honour of Mary Help of Christians, Salesians from the Central Africa East Delegation (AFC-EST) made a new delivery of humanitarian goods, this time to displaced persons at the Kanyarucinya Camp, 15 km north of the city of Goma. More than 200 vulnerable families, consisting of the elderly, people with disabilities, breast-feeding mothers, pregnant women and young mothers received aid consisting of cornmeal, beans, salt, vegetable oil and soap, collected thanks to the benefactors of the Don Bosco AFC-EST Mission and the Salesian International Volunteers for Development NGO (VIS). This charitable and humanitarian gesture by the Salesians is the second in a month for the displaced, who no longer receive sufficient aid. Their situation is aggravated by famine, epidemics and climatic disturbances that have devastated all the fields in the city and surroundings. The beneficiaries never stop thanking their benefactors from near and far. The Emergency Coordination on behalf of the displaced is managed by Fr Carlos Balezi, SDB and the Economer of the AFC-EST Delegation, in collaboration with VIS; in addition, the camp team, led by Salesian Brother Augustin Mupoyi, was recently reinforced by Salesian practical trainee of Guatemalan origin, José Guillermo Ramirez.
Schio, Italy – May 2023 – The new Don Bosco Oratory in Schio was opened on 31 May with a Mass celebrated by the Bishop of Vicenza, Bishop Giuliano Brugnotto. The ribbon was but by Bishop Brugnotto, Fr Juan Carlos Pérez Godoy, Councillor for the Mediterranean Region, Fr Igino Biffi, Superior of the Salesian Province of North-East Italy (INE), Fr Enrico Gaetan, Rector, Economer and Principal of the Salesian work in Schio, as well as Walter Orsi, Mayor of the city. The work saw the complete restoration of the historic building, maintaining the original quality of the building and recovering the centrality of the old courtyard overlooked by the games room, the bar and the lecture hall. The facilities were completely renovated and, with the renovation of the two upper floors, classrooms were recovered for the Vocational Training Centre. Hundreds of people, mainly young people, took part in the festive evening, which took place in a typically Salesian atmosphere.
Concepcion, Chile – 30 May 2023 – The Vicar of the Rector Major, Fr Stefano Martoglio, visited the Salesians in Concepcion and blessed the St Dominic Savio Hall. The occasion was enthusiastically welcomed by community representatives and student councils. The event began with a warm greeting from the Rector, Fr Claudio Cartes, the Principal, Ida Sepúlveda, and the President of the Student Centre, Patricio Báez. During the reception Fr Martoglio was introduced to the rich history of the school and to the objectives of the educational project that, for more than a century, has formed young people committed to the service of the region and the country in different social areas. The Vicar of the Rector Major addressed a few words to the community, highlighting the fundamental aspects of the Preventive System and its implementation in over 135 countries around the world where Salesians form young people to service, thus contributing to the construction of a society that honours human dignity. He encouraged young people to continue to demonstrate their qualities in an environment that has always maintained a strong sense of belonging and a Salesian identity. Then Fr Martoglio proceeded to bless the St Dominic Savio Hall which will be available for meetings of teachers and families, and was honoured with a commemorative plaque. Before concluding the blessing, the community gave the Vicar of the Rector Major the school's medal of honour on which are engraved the insignia and the motto “ora et labora”, symbols that identify the life of the institute.