(ANS - Vallombrosa) - From Sunday 27 June to Saturday 3 July the Rector Major, Fr Ángel Fernández Artime, and other General Council members, spent a week of Spiritual Exercises in the Monastic Community of Vallombrosa, in the province of Florence. The reflections, inspired by the Gospel passage "Whosoever will come after me ..." (Mk 8:34; Mt 16:24; Lk 9:23) were guided by the Salesian biblical scholar Fr Juan José Bartolomé and highlighted gratuitousness and radicality as typical traits of those who want to follow Jesus.
Rome, Italy - July 2021 - The meeting of the formators of Italy-Middle East to address the theme of the text renewal of the Ratio Fundamentalis of the Salesians of Don Bosco was held from 30 June to 2 July at the Salesian Institute "San Tarcisio" in Rome. Promoted by the Department of Formation of the Salesian Congregation and coordinated by the National Formation Office, the meeting saw the participation of 35 people, (29 in presence and 6 online), including the Provincial Vicars and the Directors of the formation houses, together with some members of their respective teams. The reflection was coordinated by Fr Erino Leoni, head of the National Office, and by Fr Francisco Santos and Fr Silvio Roggia, members of the Formation Department. Work centered on renewing Salesian formation in line with the GC28 what the Rector Major himself indicated for the next six years. There were many in-depth analyses on the subject and observations on the elements to be modified, deleted and introduced to the regulatory text. Alongside this reflection, there was no lack of moments of fraternity and sharing.
(ANS - Turin) - The experience of the Spiritual Exercises of families animated by the Association of Mary Help of Christians (Primary ADMA) of Turin, this year sees numerous families carve out a few days in one of the Salesian centers in Valdocco, Colle Don Bosco, Avigliana, Cumiana and Saint Oyenne in June-July 2021. The pandemic has changed the way we all come together in the Alpine setting of Pracharbon, but has not diminished the desire to meet with a new heart and new rules.
Turin, Italy - 1930 - In this photo, belonging to the photographic archive of the Salesian Pontifical University in Rome, a group of students are portrayed during a lesson at the Don Bosco International Institute in Turin - Crocetta. The Don Bosco International Institute was the first Theological Studentate of the Salesian Congregation and began in Foglizzo Canavese in 1904. It was transferred to Turin-Crocetta on 8 September 1923 by Blessed Filippo Rinaldi.
(ANS - Rome) - On 21 June, in the "Sacro Cuore" house in Rome, the editorial team of Note di Pastorale Giovanile - Notes on Youth Ministry (NPG), met for their usual appointment of discernment and discussion as regards the Journal for the coming year. After having to meet online due to the health emergency, this meeting took place in person. The work method was "generative discernment" to indeed foster personal presence and exchanges.
(ANS – Rome) - Every 24th of June, the Salesian congregation celebrates the figure of the Rector Major, Successor and Continuer of the person of Don Bosco. With the participation of all the confreres from the communities belonging to the RMG, the feast took place in the evening at the Generalate, with the Holy Mass in the Sacred Heart Basilica, followed by felicitations and moments of fraternity.
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.