(ANS - San Severo) - “Religion is the interpenetration of the needs of others”; “What is our altar? The Tabernacle of the Temple and the hand of the poor”. These are two expressions of Fr Felice Canelli, priest of the diocese of San Severo (Foggia, Italy) and Salesian Cooperator, today recognized by the Church as a Servant of God. They are two mottos that he himself lived first: for almost a century (1880-1977), moved by his faith in Jesus, he was the "universal brother" - using an expression of Pope Francis - of many poor, young, abandoned people who resorted to him.
Naples, Italy - March 2021 - On March 31, the students of the Vocational Training School "la Scuola del Fare" of "Don Bosco Napoli", as part of its logistics activities, sorted out the food aid packages that Coldiretti, the Italian farmers' association, donates to Neapolitan families in financial difficulty this Easter. Each package, with over 50 kg of local, zero-kilometer made-in-Italy agricultural products, is a tangible expression of a relay race of social solidarity; which starts from the Italian agri-food chain to reach the most vulnerable territories, thanks to the close action carried out by the Salesians with the diocesan Caritas.
Rome, Italy - March 2021 - In the center of Rome, in the working-class district of Testaccio, entering our Salesian parish church "Santa Maria Liberatrice", you can admire the representation of the Passion, Death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ, made in an Easter Nativity scene. This is the special initiative, wanted by the parish priest Fr Maurizio Spreafico, SDB, and carried out by some members of the Confraternity of Santa Maria Liberatrice, to bring the faithful closer to the Easter holidays despite the pandemic. The Easter Nativity is something very beautiful and evocative that deserves to be seen up close and the news is making its way around the city. In fact, many faithful have already wanted to visit and take photos of the Easter diorama since Palm Sunday.
Fr Maurizio Palomba, SDB
(ANS - Perugia) - In 2022 the first hundred years since the arrival of the Salesians in Perugia will be celebrated. A real "jubilee", as Fr Wieslaw Dec explains, a Salesian of Polish origin who has lived in Perugia for three years. “Our life is made up of rhythms, cycles, the alternation of ordinary days, ordinary time with holidays. I believe it is necessary to celebrate our anniversaries. For this reason, we started thinking about this centenary three years in advance, planning many initiatives to remember and show gratitude to God for what we have been able to do in the city of Perugia.”
(ANS - Torre Annunziata) - The Salesian presence in Torre Annunziata, a town on the outskirts of Naples, represents an educational oasis in an area full of challenges, significantly increased and aggravated, moreover, by the pandemic. For this reason, the reopening of the Salesian Day Center "Casa Valdocco", animated by the Salesians and their lay collaborators, after almost two months of closure due to the Covid-19 emergency, is a ray of hope for those children who most need a friendly presence at their side.
Turin, Italy - March 2021 - The traditional appointment of the Salesian Youth Movement of the Special Circumscription of Piedmont and Valle d'Aosta (ICP) called "SYM Day" took place on 20 and 21 March. Thanks to the live streaming that allowed many young people to be able to connect from home or from their center, everyone was able to better enjoy the various activities proposed in the two days: games, reflections, testimonies and prayers. On the Youth Ministry page dedicated to SYM Day, it is possible to relive the salient parts of the event, such as the testimony of Alessandro Ciquera, (co-author of the book La speranza ha il vestito azzurro. Storie di vite che non si arrendono - Hope has a blue dress. Stories of lives that do not give up), the presentation of the Competition for the National logo, extract of the homily of the Provincial Fr Leonardo Mancini and his "Good Night", and finally the greeting of Sister Carmela Busia.
https://salesianipiemonte.info/mgs-day-rivivi-levento/
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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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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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."