Varazze, Italy - January 2021 - The Don Bosco Oratory of Varazze created the Winter Youth Camp initiative, a project conceived with the aim of supporting families with working parents by giving children moments of serenity, in all safety and in compliance with health rules. The project was entirely conceived and implemented by very young coordinators who showed all their desire to make a difference, all their commitment to offer young children days of joy and recreation.
(ANS – Rome) - The Mother General of the Institute of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians is honored by the Legion of Honor.
Turin, Italy - 1961 - On 11 June 1961 the first stone of the temple at Colle Don Bosco was laid. In the photo we see, in the background, Don Fedele Giraudi, who helped the designer to create the work and, later, Mgr. Fossati, in one of his last public appearances. Further behind, however, we see the little singers and chirichetti of Valdocco.
Naples, Italy - January 2021 - The first major online meeting of the animators of the houses of the Salesians of Don Bosco and of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians present in Southern Italy, in Shkoder and Tirana, took place on 3 January. There are 320 young men and women who, led by the Delegates for Youth Ministry Fr.Gianpaolo Roma, SDB, and Sr. Giuliana Luongo, FMA, broke down the physical distances to let themselves be inspired first by a testimony; they then worked in online groups to identify a Decalogue of the virtuous "symptoms" of Don Bosco's animator today!
Catania, Italy - December 2020 - On 27 December the family members of the Salesians of the Sicily Province (ISI) gathered for the second time via a digital platform to reflect together on the theme "The family and three key words", through the words of Fr Giuseppe Ruta, former ISI Provincial. Referring to the three words entrusted for the first time by Pope Francis to the faithful during an audience in 2015 - permission, thank you, sorry - the family members had the opportunity to reflect on some aspects of daily life. The delegate of the family team, Fr Alfredo Calderoni, invited all married couples present to renew their marriage vows, sharing the Yes of the marriage bond with the Yes of the religious vocation of their Salesians, and the first Yes that made all this possible, Don Bosco's.
(ANS - Turin) - A popular American TV series was "ER”, about doctors on the front line. But if we look around us, we discover that its protagonists are not fruit of the imagination, because they do really exist and live near us.
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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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."