Arrangements for the Salesian Congregation after the Rector Major’s appointment as Cardinal
(Rome, July 14, 2023) – Following the unexpected announcement by Pope Francis of the appointment of Fr Ángel Fernández Artime, Rector Major of the Salesian Congregation, as Cardinal, the Rector Major himself has written a letter to Salesians and the Salesian Family, sharing what the future foresees for governance of the Congregation.
Fr Á.F. Artime began by stressing that the news was completely "unexpected" for him, and that he welcomed it as a "gift that Pope Francis has given us as a Salesian Congregation and as the Family of Don Bosco".
“How much the Pope loves us!!!” the Rector Major writes.
Pope Francis himself, recounts the 10th Successor of Don Bosco, summoned Fr Á.F. Artime to the Vatican on Tuesday 11 July, for an appointment that he wanted, with fatherly attention, "to agree on the necessary timing of my service as Rector Major, for the good of the Congregation."
At the end of the conversation with the Rector Major, the Holy Father, who “was attentive, warm and a profound admirer of Don Bosco's charism and particularly affectionate”, has decided that Fr Á.F. Artime continue his service as Rector Major and Cardinal at the same time, for one year. He will then convene a General Chapter – the Congregation’s 29th – to be held in February 2025,during which a new Rector Major will be elected. He will offer his resignation from governance of the Congregation on 31 July 2024. From that point on his Vicar, Fr Stefano Martoglio, will assume governance of the Congregation ad interim, and it will be he who presides at GC29.
The Rector Major states in his communique that when his resignation becomes effective, he will take up the task entrusted to him by the Holy Father, a task he is not yet aware of. And he asks the Salesians and the Salesian Family to intensify their prayers for the Pope and also for himself "faced with the prospect of this new service in the Church which, as a son of Don Bosco, I accept in obedience, without having sought it, nor wanted it.”
The complete letter of the Rector Major is available at the bottom of the page (on ANS website) in Italian, English, Spanish (Spain), Latin American Spanish, French and Portuguese.
- Nomina_Cardinale_ITA.pdf (1800 Downloads)
- Nomina_cardinale_ENG.pdf (1787 Downloads)
- Nomina_Cardinale_ESP.pdf (1800 Downloads)
- Nomina_Cardinale_LAT_AM.pdf (1781 Downloads)
- Nomina_Cardinale_FRA.pdf (1782 Downloads)
- Nomina_Cardinale_POR.pdf (1765 Downloads)
PHOTO GALLERY
INTERVIEWS
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RMG - Preparation, objectives, challenges and perspectives of GC29: in dialogue with the Moderator, Fr Alphonse Owoudou(ANS - RMG) - Just a few days before the beginning of the 29th General Chapter (GC29) of the Salesian Congregation, Fr Alphonse Owoudou, Councillor for the Africa-Madagascar Region and Moderator of GC29, recounts in detail, through an articulate interview, the work preceding and underlying this responsibility, indicating the spirit that will animate it and the attitudes and conditions to make it truly a Cenacle in which the Holy Spirit can act, for the benefit of the Congregation, the Salesian mission and the youth of the world.
EDITORIAL
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RMG – Don Bosco: “The Fascinating Saint”(ANS - Rome) - Don Bosco is perhaps the most amazing and fascinating saint, history has ever produced. The humble work which he began for the welfare of his poor and abandoned boys in Italy has produced astonishing results, and today there are nearly 14000 Salesians working in 138 countries, and there are more than 200,000 members belonging to the 32 groups of the worldwide Salesian Family sharing the charism of Don Bosco and reaching out to the needy young people.
EVENTS
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India – INS youth solemnise Don Bosco’s Feast Day with ‘Ka Sur Kynud S-3’ Grand Finale(ANS – Shillong) – The Youth of St John Paul II, Shillong Province, celebrated the Feast Day of St. John Bosco with the Grand Finale of “Ka Sur Kynud, Season 3.” Organised by Don Bosco Media Network Television, the Social Communication Department of the Province, at Don Bosco Youth Centre, Laitumkhrah, Shillong, this two-month-long singing competition, which imitates the global singing competition The Voice, concluded on 31 January 2025, coinciding with the Solemnity of St John Bosco.
SPECIAL REPORTS
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United States – CATHOLIC WORLD DAY OF THE SICK: Salesian Missions highlights medical programs for people in need around the globe(ANS – New Rochelle) – Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco, joins Catholic organizations around the globe in honoring the Catholic World Day of the Sick. Every year on Feb. 11, the Pope marks the day with a special message calling for spiritual and physical closeness to all those who are ill. Saint John Paul II instituted the day “to encourage the people of God, Catholic health institutions and civil society to be increasingly attentive to the sick and to those who care for them.”
MESSAGES OF THE RECTOR MAJOR
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WHAT A GIFT TIME IS!THE MESSAGE OF THE VICAR OF THE RECTOR MAJOR,
Fr Stefano Martoglio, SDBThe beginning of the new year is illuminated in our liturgy by the ancient formula with which the Israelite priests blessed the people: "May the Lord bless you, and keep you. May the Lord show His face to you, and have mercy on you. May the Lord turn His countenance to you, and give you peace."