A new issue of the Portuguese Salesian publication is currently being distributed, founded in 1902 on the model of the similar magazine founded by Don Bosco in Italy in 1877 and spread between the end of the nineteenth and the beginning of the twentieth century in many countries throughout Europe.
In the current March/April issue, there are many articles and insights, all of undoubted interest to readers. For example, one of the key players of World Youth Day in Lisbon 2023, Matilde Trocado, a former student and teacher and coordinator of the Salesian Theatre Academy in Estoril, takes the floor in an interview, responsible for the artistic direction of the central events of World Youth Day in Lisbon. In the interview she says, among other things: "The minutes of silence we experienced in Campo da Graça during the Vigil – one and a half million people together in prayer and silence – is something of a power that I cannot explain."
For current issues, the magazine also addresses, in the "Specials" section, the topic of Artificial Intelligence, which was developing in unpredictable ways until a few years ago. The author Nuno Quaresma continues his journey on Don Bosco's Dream at Nine Years of Age in the section "Let us go forward in the dream". Within the "Focus" space, teacher João Sêco presents the "Space Mission" exhibition which includes a replica of the "Columbus" module of the International Space Station built by the Salesian school community in Lisbon.
In the "Education/Pedagogy" pages, Ana Maria Castro writes about the alliance between the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians and the Association for Education, Culture and Training of the Laura Vicuña Institute in Vendas Novas. And a good in-depth study is dedicated to the Salesian situation in Monrovia, Liberia, where the Salesians carry out various projects: from the construction of primary and secondary schools, to support for vulnerable children, from disaster and emergency relief to technical and vocational training, from higher education to youth centers and safe activities, from food support to equipment and infrastructure improvement.
Topics relevant to the Church today are also put under the magnifying glass, with an article concerning the declaration "Fiducia Supplicans" on the pastoral meaning of blessings, published by the Vatican Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith.
There are also the great classic section of the magazine, articles by the Provincial, Fr Tarcizio Morais, who in the editorial recalls the main texts of the Pontificate of Pope Francis; and the Message of the Rector Major, dedicated on this occasion to hope.
The magazine is then completed with further pages in which to read various national and international Salesian news: about Youth Ministry, the Salesian Family or the Salesian World.
The new graphic layout of the magazine was developed by Leila Ferreira, designer of the Fundação Salesianos communication team; while with regard to environmental sustainability, it should be noted that the inks used are the Brigal vegetable inks of the Bioset series, free of polluting solvents and heavy metals, and with a large percentage of natural and biodegradable ingredients.
The renewed Salesian Bulletin of Portugal and other publications are now available for reading and downloading from the website of the Salesians in POR.
