Rome, Italy - November 2021 - On the occasion of the first centenary of Fr Paul Albera's death, a short commemorative ceremony took place on Friday 29 October in the street dedicated to him in the territory of the “Santa Maria Ausiliatrice” parish in Rome. At 5.00 pm a representative group of the entire parish community gathered in via Paolo Albera, where the parish priest, Fr Valerio Baresi, SDB, after a brief presentation of the life of the Second Successor of Don Bosco, led the participants in prayer and blessed the houses and shops of the entire street. The parish "Santa Maria Ausiliatrice" within its territory has a large number of locales with Salesian references: Santa Maria Ausiliatrice, Santa Maria Domenica Mazzarello, San Domenico Savio, Frs. Michele Rua, Paolo Albera, Filippo Rinaldi, Giacomo Costamagna, Card. Giovanni Cagliero, and Fr Michele Unia.
Rome, Italy - November 2021 - The Election of the National Council of the Italian Federation of Past Pupils of Don Bosco took place at the "Pius XI" Salesian house in Rome on 6 and 7 November. After two intense days of debate and analysis of the state of the Association, the Delegates of the 13 Provincial Federations re-elected Giovanni Costanza as the National President for the four-year period 2021-2025. The following members of the new National Council were also elected: Nicoletta Iuliano, Nino Bruno, Andrea De Gennaro, Alessandro Pensabene (youth representative), Silvia Simonato (youth representative), Mauro Loi, Enrico Leone, Daniele Libralon and Valerio Martorana. "The renewed trust expressed in me, while on the one hand, it bestows on a greater responsibility, on the other, it confirms to me that the path taken five years ago is the right one," said Mr. Constanza, an engineer by profession. The National Council also renewed the mandate of the three members of the Board of Auditors: Nicola D’Urso, Franco Murru, and Paolo Profili.
(ANS - Rome) - "He spent hours and hours in the confessional and over the years he had become the point of reference for all the Salesians in Buenos Aires and the surrounding communities ... he was truly a great confessor." These were the words of the Holy Father, about Fr Enrico Pozzoli, the Salesian missionary who baptized little Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires on Christmas day 1936. This and much more is contained in the book published by the Vatican Publishing House (LEV) "Ho fatto cristiano il Papa" by the journalist from Lodi, Ferruccio Pallavera, which will be presented across various locations including Rome, on Friday 12 November at the Pontifical Urbaniana University in an event that will also see the Rector Major of the Salesians, Fr Ángel Fernández Artime, together with other illustrious figures.
(ANS - Schio) – In Italy, 4 November 2021 is not just the anniversary of the Day of National Unity and the Day of the Italian Armed Forces, but also the centenary of the burial, at the Altare della Patria (Altar of the Fatherland -at Piazza Venezia) in Rome, of the remains of the Unknown Soldier, as a tribute to all the Italian soldiers who sacrificed themselves on the frontlines in World War I. As a result of this symbolic anniversary, the students of the Salesian Vocational Training Center in Schio, together with students of the "De Pretto" State Industrial Technical Institute, climbed along the Route of the 52 Galleries on Monte Pasubio, a place of fierce fighting during the Great War, to pay homage to the soldiers who died to defend the homeland. "To play our part in the society in which we live, to participate in the life of the community, to be in solidarity and to protect democracy" was the message addressed to young people on this occasion.
(ANS – Rome) – Two Past Pupils of the Schools of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians are among the 25 best students in Italy recognized with the “Alfieri of work” Award on 26 October 2021, in Rome at the Quirinale Palace, by the President of the Italian Republic, Sergio Mattarella.
(ANS - Rome) - The two days, 30-31 October 2021 - of the International Conference dedicated to Rector Major Fr Paolo Albera on the first centenary of his death (29 October 1921) was held in precise manner as planned. Organized by the Salesian Historical Institute – the Istituto Storico Salesiano (ISS) - at the Salesian Pontifical University (UPS), the conference was promoted by the current Rector Major Fr Ángel Fernández Artime.
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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GOOD, FAITHFUL, AND COURAGEOUS SERVANTSTHE MESSAGE OF THE VICAR OF THE RECTOR MAJOR, Fr Stefano Martoglio, SDB
During this Jubilee year, in this difficult world, we are invited to rise up, set out again, and, in newness of life, make our journey as human beings and believers.