(ANS – Turin) – The 18th General Chapter of the Caritas Sisters of Jesus concluded with the Eucharist celebrated by the Rector Major Fr Ángel Fernández Artime at the Basilica of Mary Help of Christians in Valdocco, Turin, on 21 October 2021 at 11:30 AM. After two weeks of the General Council in Ariccia, near Rome, the 45 GC18 Delegates travelled to Turin, Valdocco, to entrust their 6 year journey to Mary Help of Christians.
Rome, Italy - October 2021 - On October 15 and 16, a formative meeting was held via Zoom for all the educational-pastoral communities of the Salesian Central Italy Circumscription (ICC) on the theme of Integral Ecology. Fr Stefano Aspurati, ICC Provincial, reminded the 160 participants that the issue also required a response from the ICC Province. Fr Joshtrom Kurrethadam sdb, coordinator of the "Ecology and Creation" sector of the Vatican Dicastery for Integral Human Development, presented the urgency of the ecological conversion promoted by Pope Francis and then illustrated the Laudat Si' platform. Emanuela Chang, VIS operator, Laudato Sì animator and member of the Youth Ministry Department, presented in a video interview the birth of her "ecological" vocation and the creation of the "Circolini Laudato Sì". Fr Enrico Cassanelli, SDB, then presented the birth in the ICC Province of the integral ecology team, made up of 8 members, Salesians, and lay people, aimed at producing a reflection on the theme of integral ecology and promoting concrete initiatives. Finally, Antonio Lapi, a young environmental engineering student from Siena, a team member, presented the centrality of social networks in the dissemination of information, particularly in the world of young people.
Turin, Italy - October 2021 - On Sunday 17 October, as part of the Day of the Salesian Cooperators held at the Auditorium in Valdocco, an ongoing formation session for the Salesian Family was held with the animative inputs of Fr Pascual Chávez Villanueva, Rector Major Emeritus. His keynote address centered on the Encyclical Letter Laudato sì by Pope Francis and also deepened the eighth post-chapter guide line delivered to the Congregation by the Rector Major, Fr Ángel Fernández Artime: "Accompanying young people towards a SUSTAINABLE FUTURE".
(ANS - Cinisello Balsamo) - Friday 22 October is the 26th death anniversary of venerable Maria Cristina Cella Mocellin, wife and mother of a family, Past pupil of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians. On this occasion, the "Holy Family" parish community of Cinisello Balsamo (Milano), her hometown, and the parish community of San Nazario, Valbrenta (VI), where she settled down after her wedding, will celebrate Mass in their respective centers to pray in remembrance of the Venerable.
(ANS - Turin) - Chennor Amadu Bah had never boarded a plane, nor even had had a ride in an elevator or on escalators. He could never have imagined that meeting Don Bosco in the "Pademba" prison in Freetown would change his life so much that he went from being "the king of fights" to the best defender of minors in prison and in the streets. Before returning home to Sierra Leone - on his presentation tour of the "Inocencia entre rejas" (Innocence behind bars) campaign of the Salesian Mission Office "Misiones Salesianas", accompanied by the documentary "Libertad" of which he is one of the protagonists - he flew nine times, visited four countries and traveled thousands of kilometers: all -not only to tell of his testimony of forgiveness and redemption, but also of Salesian works. And since he feels like a "son of Don Bosco" he visited Valdocco and Colle Don Bosco and exclaimed: "I am having one of the best days of my life".
(ANS - Turin) - "I dedicate this victory to a person who for me was a teacher, a father, a guide: Father Aldo Rabino. I wish he was here, but I’m sure he is watching us from up there." These were the first words of the new mayor of Turin, Stefano Lo Russo, elected to lead the Piedmontese capital after the elections to local bodies on Sunday and Monday. A geologist, 46, the First Citizen of Turin wanted to claim and present to the citizens his Salesian formation, which played a decisive role in his life and in his political career.
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.