(ANS - Rome) - The Salesian commitment to fight Covid-19 is a global initiative as much as the pandemic is global, and has not left any Salesian Province or presence in the world indifferent. This is true not only in the extreme peripheries of the Congregation, but also at its base: last Friday, at the "Sacred Heart" in Rome, which houses the Salesian Headquarters, the young people of the Salesian oratory, in collaboration with the international volunteer organization "Serve the City", distributed health kits for the prevention of coronavirus infections to the homeless around Termini station.
Turin, Italy - October 2020 - Once the Don Bosco House Museum was inaugurated, last 4 October, and after listening to the requests of many faithful in recent years and the desire of many friends of the Salesian house in Valdocco, in perfect harmony with the project planned for the Salesian Places of the Mother House, and with the support of the Rector Major, Fr Ángel Fernández Artime, and all the people who worked to make this dream come true, on 24 October, the monthly commemoration of Mary Help of Christians, Perpetual Adoration began at the Pinardi di Valdocco Chapel. From 8:30 am to 8:30 pm the Pinardi Chapel will remain open for those looking for a quiet, peaceful and silent place of prayer in Valdocco. Already during the inauguration day, a good group of people went to the chapel to pray the Rosary, thank the Lord for this wonderful gift, and present their deepest needs to the Lord.
(ANS - Rome) - The picture outlined by Caritas Italiana in its annual report on poverty and social exclusion, published last Saturday, October 17, on the occasion of the World Day to Fight Poverty, is a picture with many shadows and some light. Because the Covid-19 pandemic has hit a citizenry that has already been in difficulty for more than a decade and has brought people and households into a situation of need that until that moment were struggling: they are the "new poor". Positive notes, instead, come from the parallel growth of solidarity.
Messina, Italy - October 2020 - On 17 October, in the church of San Francesco all'Immacolata, Fr Ángel Fernández Artime, Rector Major, presided over the Perpetual Professions of eleven Salesians from the "San Tommaso" Salesian communities of Messina. Also present: Fr Giovanni D'Andrea, Provincial of Sicily and Tunisia (ISI), Fr Giuseppe Cassaro, "San Tommaso" director, various Salesians and Daughters of Mary Help of Christians. The eleven Salesians come from different parts of the world: Luis Ángel Banegas from Ecuador, Cristóvão Fonseca Luis Baptista and Kiesse Paulo De Sousa from Angola, Thierry Bashemezimana from Burundi, Philemon Anthony Chacha from Tanzania, Samuel Habumugisha from Rwanda, Daniel Jimbo Ojijo and John Murithi Mbogo from Kenya, Jacquesa Massa and Jean Paul Ngoie Kabila from Congo, Rocco Tasca from Gela (Italy).
(ANS - Turin) – This year the restrictions imposed for the containment of Covid-19 prevent the "Race of the Saints" - the sporting and solidarity event promoted by the Salesians on the occasion of the Feast of All Saints - from taking place in the manner that previously characterized it. Nonetheless, the event, promoted by "Missioni Don Bosco", the Salesian Mission Office of Turin, has been scheduled, albeit in a different form, and fully respecting the inspiring principles that have always guided it: as a collective celebration, sporting event and instrument of solidarity. The 2020 edition will, in fact, be a "virtual race": from 7:00 on 30 October 2020 to 20:00 on 3 November 2020 (UTC +1), anyone can participate in the event by running 10 kilometers on any track.
Catania, Italy - October 2020 - On the weekend of 10 and 11 October, the first joint meeting of the Global School and Giovani in Cammino, youth on the march, took place, in which about 60 young people from all over Salesian Sicily took part. Despite the pandemic, thanks to the work of the two teams led by the SDB and FMA Delegates of Youth Ministry and Missions, and to the welcome of the friends of the "Colonia Don Bosco" in Catania, the group spent two peaceful and meaningful days, respecting social distancing. To get to the core of the year's theme "In the heart of the world", the group had the chance to listen to and discuss issues with Sefora Motta, a young filmmaker, reporter, author of documentaries, founder of the missionary association "HPS Charity", which works for solidarity in the poorest areas of Africa. On Sunday, the participants of "Giovani in Cammino" elaborated the "Decalogue of the good Christian in a Salesian style" and the “Scuola di Mondialità” presented the year's thematic path focused on Laudato Sì and the integral ecological crisis, with a number of testimonies.
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."