(ANS - Turin) - It ended with an embrace to the world - to the countries where Covid-19 is making the poor pay the highest price, such as India, Brazil, Argentina - the greeting of the Rector Major of the Salesians, Fr Ángel Fernández Artime, on the Feast Day of Mary Help of Christians, celebrated in the basilica of Valdocco on Monday 24 May 2021.
(ANS - Turin) - The eve of the Feast of Mary Help of Christians unfolds on the day of Pentecost and it is not difficult to find the two liturgical moments largely overlapping one another. This is what happened this year, thanks to the closeness of the calendar that did not sacrifice either the preparation of May 24 or the solemn celebration of the gift of the Holy Spirit to the community of the apostles. The program that the Salesians have lived all over the world, which had its fulcrum in the Valdocco spaces, implemented this synthesis.
(ANS - Rome) - On Wednesday, May 19, 2021, the ninth volume of the critical edition of Don Bosco's Epistolario was presented at the Faculty of the Science of Communication of the University of Rome (UPS). This volume collects the 469 letters written by the saint in the three years between 1884 and 1886.
(ANS - Cinisello Balsamo) - Since last Saturday, May 15, the citizens of Cinisello Balsamo can count on a vehicle equipped for the transport of people even with reduced mobility, granted on free loan by "PMG Italia" to the Don Bosco Social Works of Sesto San Giovanni, with the patronage of the Municipality of Cinisello Balsamo. This Guaranteed Mobility Project, called “Il Futuro in Viaggio”, intends to promote forms of autonomy and social integration, thanks to the support of local businesses.
Rome, Italy - May 2020 - On 14 May 1887, Don Bosco attended the consecration of the temple dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. On 16 May 1887, he celebrated his only Mass at the altar dedicated to Mary Help of Christians. "More than 15 times he was seen fighting to finish the Holy Mass," report the Biographical Memoirs. To assist him was Fr Carlo Viglietti, his secretary. "Don Bosco's crying greatly impressed those present and many began to cry." The painting is a work of art by Giuseppe Rollini (1887) and the altar was donated by Prince Torlonia.
(ANS - Rome) - A little more than 10 days from the Feast Day of Mary Help of Christians, two important innovations arrive for Salesian Family members who intend to prepare adequately for this anniversary: first of all, the booklets to accompany them are now available online, booklets for the celebration of the world Novena promoted by the Salesian Headquarters; also, the program of the celebrations scheduled for 23 and 24 May at the Basilica of Mary Help of Christians in Turin was officially clarified.
PHOTO GALLERY
INTERVIEWS
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
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.