(ANS – Turin) - The basilica of Mary Help of Christians wore a youthful look as young people of the Salesian Youth Synod gathered with a profound sense of reverence and joy for the Inaugural Mass at the Basilica of Mary Help of Christians in Valdocco. This sacred celebration was presided over by the Rector Major, Cardinal Ángel Fernández Artime, accompanied by several members of the Salesian Youth Ministry Sector and numerous Salesians of Don Bosco from around the world. The Cardinal extended a warm welcome to everyone attending, both in person and via live stream, expressing his joy at seeing so many young people from across the globe gathered in the very place where Don Bosco had envisioned their presence centuries ago.
(ANS – Turin) – The much-anticipated Salesian Youth Synod opened today, 11 August 2024, in Valdocco, with an atmosphere of joy, prayer, and eager anticipation. This significant gathering brings together 376 participants, including 292 young people from around the world, along with numerous Salesians and Daughters of Mary Help of Christians.
(ANS - Turin) - The Youth Synod begins today. There are 376 participants; 292 young people have the right to vote in the Assembly. The other participants in the Synod, without the right to vote, are: the Rector Major and 45 Salesians: representatives of the Regions/responsible for content and entertainment, logistics, social communication, translators and technical staff; 19 FMA; 15 musicians and 5 lay technicians.
(ANS – Castelnuovo Don Bosco) – Once again this year, the Strenna theme inspired the various temporary exhibitions at the Missionary Ethnological Museum (MEM) at Colle Don Bosco, a place that bears witness to the global dimension of the dream. Specifically, in this Bicentennial year of Don Bosco's Dream at Nine Years of Age, an exhibition has been set up in two displays: one that acts as a common thread throughout 2024 and exhibits an African fabric (or tapestry) that depicts, according to local art, the dream at 9 years of age; the other that varies according to the period, highlighting the different characters in the dream: Don Bosco, Jesus (the noble Man), Mary (the Woman of majestic appearance), young people.
(ANS - Rome) – "Salesians today promote justice, peace and solidarity through social communication". This was stated by the Salesian Congregation's General Councillor for Social Communications, Fr Gildasio Mendes, during an interview conducted by Fr João Carlos Ribeiro and journalist Jocasta Pimentel from "FM Don Bosco" radio station in Fortaleza, in the Province of Recife, Btrazil (BRE), during a break in the "Shaping Tomorrow" World Congress held in Rome from 1 to 7 August 2024. Below is an extensive summary of the interview, the full audio of which was broadcast by the "Tempo de Paz" radio program and the full text of which is available in the Portuguese version of the article.
(ANS – Castelnuovo Don Bosco) – In July 2024, two intense working days were held at the Missionary Ethnological Museum (MEM) at Colle Don Bosco, in Castelnuovo Don Bosco, to digitise some finds belonging to the collection. All this happened in relation to the KNOT project (Knowledge of Things: Reassessing the Indigenous American Heritage in Italy). In addition, during these summer weeks, the rich collection of the MEM was the subject of an important inspection by the Cultural Heritage Authority, which underlined the value of the finds and the quality of the conservation work carried out by the Salesian institution.
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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Myanmar – Tragedy of Innocent Children in the midst of Armed Conflicts(ANS – Naypyidaw) - Myanmar finds itself immersed in profound grief and anguish as innocent lives, particularly those of children, continue to be mercilessly lost in the enduring armed conflicts. Families are left devastated by the tragic loss of their loved ones while the relentless violence shows no signs of abating. This week, a heartfelt plea from Myanmar reached our community, shedding light on the heart-wrenching death of a young girl Juliet in a military airstrike, prompting a unified call for prayers and action.
EVENTS
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Italy – On-Line Course on Integral Ecology 2025: An Initiative of the Alliance for the Care of Our Common Home (Pontifical Universities & Atheneums of Rome)(ANS – Rome) – 2025 marks the tenth anniversary of Laudato Si’, Pope Francis’ landmark encyclical letter on the Care for Our Common Home, in which he invited all people of good to “a new dialogue about how we are shaping the future of our planet” (Laudato Si’, 14). However, as Pope Francis recognizes in Laudate Deum, the apostolic exhortation published on 4th October 2023, “our responses have not been adequate” and “the world in which we live is collapsing and may be nearing the breaking point.” (Laudate Deum, 2).
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."