Rome, Italy - October 2021 - The "Borgolimpiadi 2021", a sporting activity much loved by the young people of the neighbourhood and beyond, came to an end on 17 October at the "Borgo Ragazzi Don Bosco" Salesian house. This year, despite all the difficulties of the pandemic period, 140 athletes took part, including children and young people, and about 40 team leaders, animators and organisers, who competed in the courtyards of the oratory. After individual performances in long jump, archery, vortex, darts, shot put, speed and endurance running, there were competitions in three team sports, football, basketball and volleyball, and the final marathon.
(ANS - Rome) - On Monday 18 October 2021 the Mother General of the FMA Institute, Sr. Chiara Cazzuola, appointed, with the consent of the General Council, Sr. Maria Luisa Nicastro, of the Roman Province "San Giovanni Bosco" (IRO), as the Secretary-General of the FMA Institute and communicated it to the participants in the XXIV General Chapter.
(ANS - Sondrio) – The traditional meeting to commemorate the Salesian holiness linked to Valtellina (Sondrio Province) was marked this year by two special anniversaries: the centenary of the birth of the Venerable Fr Giuseppe Quadrio (Vervio, 28 November 1921) and the 50th anniversary of the death of the Servant of God Fr Carlo Braga (San Fernando - Philippines, 3 January 1971).
(ANS – Ariccia) – Caritas Sisters of Jesus (CSJ, or “Suore della Carita di Gesù”, in Italian language) have elected during their 18th General Chapter on October 14th (Ariccia, next to Rome, Italy) their new Superior General, Sr. Emiliana Park. She succeed the former Superior Sr Teresia Furuki (2015-2021) as the leader of the more than 900 sisters strong religious congregation, born in 1937 in Miyazaki, Japan.
(ANS – Rome) – The inauguration of the Academic Year 2021-2022 of the Salesian Pontifical University (UPS) was held yesterday, 14 October 2021. The Rector Major and Grand Chancellor of the UPS, Fr Ángel Fernández Artime, presided over the Eucharist at the parish church of "Santa Maria della Speranza" adjacent to the university campus. Subsequently, as the Academic part of the event, the new Rector, Fr Andrea Bozzolo, gave the introductory speech, followed by the keynote address of Prof. Susy Zanardo, professor of Moral Philosophy at the European University of Rome, on the guiding theme of the inauguration and the entire new year: "With young people for a new beginning. Change of era and grace of hope".
(ANS - Rome) - On the occasion of the year that the Rector Major, Fr Ángel Fernández Artime, has dedicated to Fr Paolo Albera - Don Bosco's second Successor at the head of the Congregation - on the first centenary of his death (Turin-Valdocco, 29 October 1921), the Salesian Historical Institute (ISS) and the Salesian Pontifical University (UPS) have organized an international conference dedicated to rediscovering and deepening the figure and legacy of Albera. The conference is scheduled on 30-31 October 2021 at the UPS headquarters and will feature live streaming and translations into English.
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.