(ANS – Turin) – Fr Alfred Maravilla has returned to the Salesian Missions Department, not as a collaborator this time, but as Councilor. Filippino, with a long, firsthand missionary experience, until recently the Superior of a thriving Vice Province, Father Maravilla speaks to us in this interview about his feelings as regards his new position.
(ANS - Rome) - “When we received the ashes on our heads, on Wednesday of the beginning of Lent, we did not imagine that this climate of 'Holy Saturday' where everything is suspended would make itself felt earlier, a time when silence dominates and the sense of emptiness makes the setting unreal. Yet even Holy Saturday experiences a not desperate anguish, but confident; as believers we know that the victory over death and pain is certain, even if only Easter day will be fully participated." These are the words of Fr Roberto Dal Molin, President of "Salesiani per il Sociale APS", which frame the situation being experienced in Italy and in various other countries of the world due to the spread of the coronavirus.
(ANS - Rome) - The spread of COVID-19, which has been gripping Italy in recent weeks, has required exceptional prevention measures that are upsetting the normal habits and social life of citizens. With Don Bosco's own concreteness, the Salesians and young people permeated by his charism are, however, responding to these challenges with two weapons: solidarity and creativity.
Mestre, Italy - March 2020 – On March 3, the Veneto Councilor for Education, Formation, Work and Equal Opportunities, Elena Donazzan, took part in the conference on the future of the Vocational Training Schools in Veneto. It was held at the Salesian institute "San Marco" of Mestre. During the event, chaired by the Salesian VTC Director, prof. Alberto Grillai, the Councilor repeatedly emphasized the excellence of the Salesian school and formation as a point of reference for other institutions. In particular, the Salesian Institute "San Marco" is an "Apple Distinguished School", thanks to the exclusive agreement with Apple that provides the tools to the institute (iPads for teachers and students) and it also takes advantage of the "Google Classroom" platform, application of the suite that Google makes available to schools. All this to ensure continuous and updated training, in addition to the traditional classroom lesson. The councilor visited the institute, touching firsthand the available technologies and the quality of the services provided for e-learning.
by Francesca Bonotto
Italy – GC28: Chapter also transposes Decree of Italian President of Council of Ministers of 4 March
(ANS - Turin) - The 28th General Chapter of the Salesian Congregation, in progress in Turin, also implements the Decree of the President of the Italian Council of Ministers of 4 March 2020, concerning measures to combat, contain, inform and prevent COVID-19 nationwide.
Turin, Italy - October 1, 1947 - On October 1, 1947, a souvenir photo of the 108 Salesians of Don Bosco was taken at the "Valsalice" Institute in Turin, among Provincials and delegates from various parts of the world who participated in the 16th General Chapter of the Salesian Congregation, in which Fr Pietro Ricaldone was re-elected Rector Major. In that Chapter, the Spiritual Exercises were preached by Msgr. Vincenzo Cimatti and Fr Eugenio Ceria.
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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RMG - St. Francis de Sales Communicator: All for Love(ANS – Rome) - The figure of St. Francis de Sales, chosen by Don Bosco as an example of a communicator, teaches that communication is a matter of the heart. In his expression, "Everything in the Church is love: everything lives in love, for love, and of love," we understand his revolution in the way of communicating, and how communication becomes fruitful when it allows communion and the exchange of one's experiences in a path of accompaniment and collaboration in God's project.
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."