(ANS - Turin) - The General Chapter is a great two-faced "machine". The first, very important, is the spiritual charismatic one, custodian of the great hopes of the entire Salesian Family. The second, minor but necessary for the functioning of an authentic choral participation, is the IT network, the true nervous system of the chapter body.
(ANS - Turin) - The official opening of the 28th General Chapter took place on Saturday, 22 February, to which Salesian bishops and cardinals of the world were invited. Among those who arrived in Turin-Valdocco was Cardinal Óscar Andrés Rodríguez Maradiaga, SDB, who, in addition to having a grateful heart for the "Mother Congregation", as he stated in his interview, is one of the members of the Council of the Cardinals of Pope Francis. In this interview, conducted by Antonio Labanca, the cardinal sees an exciting future.
Bari, Italy - February 2020 - On February 23, Pope Francis reached Bari to conclude the meeting "Mediterranean frontier of peace", promoted by the CEI, at the Basilica of San Nicola, in which 58 bishops of the 20 Mediterranean churches participated. In his speech, Pope Francis outlined the path to follow to build peace relations in the Mediterranean, urging Christians to be "tireless peacemakers." He then spoke of the "madness of war" which is the failure of every human and divine project, of the migratory phenomenon, of the protection of religious freedom and of migrants, and urged to transform the Mediterranean from a cemetery to a place of Resurrection. The Pontiff stressed that extremisms and fundamentalisms deny the dignity of man and his religious freedom, urging a more lively encounter between the different religious faiths. Finally, he stressed that the prerequisite for building peace is justice. He concluded his intervention by indicating Saint Paul as an example to follow in order to transmit the faith.
(ANS - Turin) - Diversity of faces and multiplicity of languages are the expression of the variety of cultures and situations in which Don Bosco's educational experience is embodied. There is no lack of fraternity, which creates bridges on every occasion in which there is a border to overcome and a thought, an experience, a tradition and a history to understand.
(ANS - Turin) -The Rector Major began with several words of thanks for the many guests, Salesians and representatives of the groups of the Salesian Family. For Fr Angel, too, the first focus is that of a prophetic and hopeful gaze for an especially significant commitment: "responsibly guiding and animating a charism of the Church, for the Church and for the world, aroused by the Spirit."
(ANS - Turin) - Don Bosco is certainly happy and rejoices at hearing the expressions uttered on the official opening morning of General Chapter 28.
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."