Turin, Italy - 8 December 2020 - On the occasion of the anniversary of the oratory's foundation, the Motherhouse of Valdocco was the protagonist of an international Marian circle. A group of young people who usually attend the basilica of Mary Help of Christians and participate in the life of the "Mary Help of Christians" community animated an online prayer meeting, involving young people who had been invited to Turin to participate in a week of the work of the 28th General Chapter. The church of San Francesco di Sales welcomed the memory of Don Bosco's meeting with Bartolomeo Garelli, listened to the voices of the young people who manifested their bond with Valdocco and presented the prayer for the whole Salesian Family and for the needs of the world in this pandemic time to the Immaculate Virgin. The General Councilor for Youth Ministry, Fr Miguel Ángel García Morcuende, introduced the meeting and encouraged similar initiatives for the future.
(ANS - Tivoli) - Taking place on Saturday 12 December at the Bishop's Curia of Tivoli in a climate of solemn simplicity was the official opening of the diocesan inquiry for the beatification and canonization of the Servant of God Mons.Giuseppe Cognata(1885-1972), of the Pious Society of Saint Francis de Sales, Titular Bishop of Farsalo, former Bishop of Bova, Founder of the Institute of the Salesian Oblates of the Sacred Heart. The diocesan bishop, Mons. Mauro Parmeggiani, presided over this act.
Italy - December 2020 - On December 8, for the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception and the anniversary of the birth of the Salesian Oratory, the team of family members of the Salesians of the Sicily Province (ISI) organized a meeting with parents, brothers and sisters of the Sicilian Salesians scattered throughout Italy. Led by the Provincial Fr Giovanni D'Andrea and the delegate of the team, Fr Alfredo Calderoni, Salesians and relatives met through the Google Meet platform to continue a journey, undertaken in 2018, of growth and sharing of their own experience, united as they are by a Salesian son or brother. For family members it represented not only a moment of reflection on the importance of the family in the journey of consecrated persons, but also an opportunity to grow in service, in attention, in care for others, as Don Bosco did on that distant 8 December 1841 with the young Bartolomeo Garelli.
(ANS - Tivoli) - Taking place Saturday, 12 December, at 11:00 local time, at the Episcopal Curia of Tivoli, is the opening of the diocesan inquiry into the Cause of Beatification and Canonization of the Servant of God Msgr. Giuseppe Cognata (Agrigento, 14 October 1885 - Pellaro, 22 July 1972), of the Pious Society of St. Francis de Sales, titular bishop of Farsalo, former bishop of Bova and founder of the Institute of the Salesian Oblates of the Sacred Heart (SOSC). The event will be chaired by Msgr. Mauro Parmeggiani, Bishop of Tivoli and Palestrina.
(ANS - Rome) - “We have tried by all means to invite children and young people to be very responsible above all and to follow, as citizens, the indications of the civil and health authorities of each country. In this sense, we have provided, especially to the children of our works, useful pedagogical-educational and didactic indications. When children understand, they are often more attentive than us adults.” Fr Ángel Fernández Artime, Rector Major of the Salesians, analyzes the Salesian response to the pandemic and its consequences, and applauds young people for their commitment - without forgetting the sacrifice of many of his confreres and the challenges still to be overcome.
Rome, Italy - December 2020 - Yesterday, 8 December, Fr Ángel Fernández Artime, Rector Major, inaugurated the renovated Salesian chapel in the Testaccio district of Rome, which houses new mosaics by the famous Jesuit artist Marko Ivan Rupnik. Fr Ivo Coelho, General Councilor for Formation, Fr Juan Carlos Pérez Godoy, Councilor for the Mediterranean Region, and Fr Maria Arokiam Kanaga, Superior of the Vice Province "Maria Sede della Sapienza" of the Salesian Pontifical University (UPS), also took part in the ceremony.
PHOTO GALLERY
INTERVIEWS
-
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
-
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
-
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."