Castelnuovo Don Bosco, Italy – September 2024 – From 19 to 22 September, "Camp 4" took place at Colle Don Bosco: a moment of retreat and formation for young people aged 18 to 29. Within the week, on Saturday 21 September, the Assembly of the Salesian Youth Movement (SYM) was held which involved the Rectors of the Salesian houses in Piedmont and Val d 'Aosta, Salesians, Daughters of Mary Help of Christians and young people sharing responsibility for the mission of the Salesian houses. In his speech to the Assembly, Pierluigi Dovis, President of Caritas Turin, addressed two central themes: the need for an intergenerational community and the important role of young people. In his conclusion, he invited young people to live their faith as a collective path, made of mutual accompaniment and sharing. Immediately after, a large amount of personal reflection and sharing time was dedicated to small groups and a space for questions. Dovis concluded with an invitation to hope, perceived as a living force, nourished by the certainty that God's love is addressed to each one and welcomes human imperfections and limitations. "Camp 4" then ended with the pilgrimage to Chieri, on Sunday 22nd.
Rome, Italy – September 2024 - On the morning of 24 September, professors from of the five Faculties of the Pontifical Salesian University (UPS) prepared for the start of the new academic year by meeting for a moment of common formation, focused on the theme "Salesian Charism and University". Leading the reflection was Prof. Mario Rafael Olmos Argueta, SDB, Rector of the Don Bosco University of El Salvador, Doctor in Sociology, who held the role of General Coordinator of Salesian University Institutions in the Congregation from 2010 to 2016. The reflection prompted a fruitful exchange of ideas between the professors at the working tables. The morning of formation ended with the celebration of Mass and a convivial lunch.
Source: unisal.it
(ANS – Turin) – A monographic course in six lessons is being offered by the Pontifical Salesian University (UPS) - Turin Section, in collaboration with the International Centre for Shroud Studies (CISS), the Museum of the Shroud in Turin and the "Cultores Sindonis" Association.
(ANS – Rome) – In the morning of Saturday, 28 September 2024 (11 a.m. UTC+2), In the Pius XI Hall, the Pontifical Lateran University (PUL) will host the screening of the film "Resurrection", a documentary film on the legacy of Fr John Lee Tae-seok, a Korean Salesian, doctor and missionary in the community at Tonj, in present-day South Sudan, from 2001 to 2009. He died of an illness in 2010.
(ANS – Trento) – The "Religion Today Film Festival", founded in 1997 as a pioneer of spiritual and inter-religious cinema in Italy, celebrates its 27th edition this year. The cultural event is dedicated to reflection on issues of faith, spirituality and inter-religious dialogue and offers an annual opportunity to discuss the evolution of spiritual and religious cinema and its role within society. This year's edition also saw significant Salesian participation.
(ANS – Rome) – The World Council of the Association of Salesian Cooperators (ASC) met digitally on 21 and 22 September 2024. As is now customary in online meetings, two separate sessions were held on two consecutive days, in order to have more time to devote to the topics covered.
PHOTO GALLERY
INTERVIEWS
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Chile – Former Salesian student in the fight against Alzheimer's disease(ANS - Santiago) - Dr Nibaldo Inestrosa, graduate of the Salesian Institute in Valdivia and national prize of Natural Sciences winner, is a pioneer and expert in the study of Alzheimer's disease in the country. In this interview, he offers an insight into the current challenges, but not before reflecting on his formative experience at the Salesian Institute in Valdivia and how this influenced his interest in biology and science.
EDITORIAL
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Myanmar – Tragedy of Innocent Children in the midst of Armed Conflicts(ANS – Naypyidaw) - Myanmar finds itself immersed in profound grief and anguish as innocent lives, particularly those of children, continue to be mercilessly lost in the enduring armed conflicts. Families are left devastated by the tragic loss of their loved ones while the relentless violence shows no signs of abating. This week, a heartfelt plea from Myanmar reached our community, shedding light on the heart-wrenching death of a young girl Juliet in a military airstrike, prompting a unified call for prayers and action.
EVENTS
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Italy – On-Line Course on Integral Ecology 2025: An Initiative of the Alliance for the Care of Our Common Home (Pontifical Universities & Atheneums of Rome)(ANS – Rome) – 2025 marks the tenth anniversary of Laudato Si’, Pope Francis’ landmark encyclical letter on the Care for Our Common Home, in which he invited all people of good to “a new dialogue about how we are shaping the future of our planet” (Laudato Si’, 14). However, as Pope Francis recognizes in Laudate Deum, the apostolic exhortation published on 4th October 2023, “our responses have not been adequate” and “the world in which we live is collapsing and may be nearing the breaking point.” (Laudate Deum, 2).
SPECIAL REPORTS
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RMG - St. Francis de Sales Communicator: All for Love(ANS – Rome) - The figure of St. Francis de Sales, chosen by Don Bosco as an example of a communicator, teaches that communication is a matter of the heart. In his expression, "Everything in the Church is love: everything lives in love, for love, and of love," we understand his revolution in the way of communicating, and how communication becomes fruitful when it allows communion and the exchange of one's experiences in a path of accompaniment and collaboration in God's project.
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."