(ANS - Corteno Golgi) - The birthplace of the blessed Maria Troncatti (1883-1969), ie., Corteno Golgi (Brescia), thanks to the pastoral commitment of the parish priest, Fr Alessandro Nana, and to the great love of the whole civil and religious community for its distinguished citizen, wanted to commemorate and celebrate in solemn and participatory form the 50th anniversary of the birth in heaven of this Daughter of Mary Help of Christians, a missionary among the Shuar of Ecuador.
Catania, Italy - August 2019 - On 29 August, Fr Stefano Martoglio, Councilor for the Mediterranean Region, presided over the installation ceremony of the new Salesian Provincial of Sicily (ISI), Fr Giovanni D’Andrea, who succeeds Fr Giuseppe Ruta. Fr D'Andrea will be assisted in the work of government and animation of the ISI Province by the new Provincial Vicar, Fr Franco Di Natale, by the new Provincial Economer, Fr Marcello Mazzeo, and by the new members of the Provincial Council.
(ANS - Cetraro) - The fifteenth edition of the “Family Animators Formation School” (SFAF), organized by the Cerchi D’Onda Onlus association, ended on Sunday 25 August. Over 270 people - families with children, consecrated men and women, priests - took part in the one-week formation course with teachers and formators. Held in Cetraro, province of Cosenza, in the Colonia San Benedetto, it was a week in which the family was the absolute protagonist.
Rome, Italy - August 2019 - The 5th General Chapter of the Apostles of the Holy Family, led by Fr Eusebio Muñoz, Delegate of the Rector Major for the Salesian Family, ended on 5 August. The Chapter participants sent the summary message to all the sisters. "In this historical moment of the life of our Institute we hear our Founder's exhortation resound more and more loudly: 'Your sole purpose is to be sanctified by practicing charity in all forms possible for you.' Therefore, holiness for us is a personal and community goal that is established through interpersonal and fraternal relationships. With this, the X General Chapter wants to remind every Apostle of the Holy Family of their commitment to growth in their baptismal vocation and, as Mother Teresa Ferrara recommended, 'We must make firm intentions to progress in the path of holiness, which is acquired not with the ecstasies, but with the sacrifice of one's own will.' Hence, and also in the wake of the Holy Family and of Salesian spirituality, we learn that holiness is acquired in everyday life with a great spirit of faith and trust in the Providence of God and not with grand works." The General Chapter elected the Institute's new government: Superior General, Sister Maria Chiara Mellace; Vicar General, Sr. Luigina Bellomo; Councilor: Sr. Anna Lopardo, Sr. Adriana Federici, Sister Immacolata Surdo.
Treviglio, Italy - August 2019 - On 26 August, Fr Stefano Martoglio, Councilor for the Mediterranean Region, began the Extraordinary Visitation of the Lombardy-Emilia Province (ILE), featuring a day of retreat and the provincial assembly at the Salesian Institute of Treviglio.
Piazza Armerina, Italy - August 2019 - Agostino Sella, president of the Don Bosco 2000 association, presented the "Gogòl Ambasciatore Del Sorriso" award to Aly Traore. Aly, a citizen of Mali, arrived in Italy via boat in 2014 and was welcomed by the community of Aidone. "He immediately distinguished himself for the service within the activities of the Don Bosco 2000 association," explained Agostino Sella. "He obtained his diploma in Italy, the qualification of cultural mediator, speaks 8 languages and is a bridge between migrants and the Italian community. He currently works as a key account manager in an accommodations facility. In 2018 he enrolled in the Faculty of Political Science and International Relations with excellent results. He teaches Arabic at the Don Bosco high school in Catania."
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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Panama – Social communication, the central theme of the Conference in honour of Saint Francis de Sales 2025(ANS – Panama City) – On Saturday 18 January 2025, the "Domingo Savio" room, located at the Don Bosco Basilica, was the scene of an event dedicated to music, reflection and dialogue, on the occasion of the conference in honour of Saint Francis de Sales 2025.
SPECIAL REPORTS
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United States – CATHOLIC WORLD DAY OF PEACE: Salesian Missions highlights programs that lead to peaceful, supportive environment(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 Peace. Every year on Jan. 1, the Pope marks the day with a special message inviting all people to reflect on the important work of building peace. Pope Paul VI established the day in 1967. The day was first observed on Jan. 1, 1968.
United States – CATHOLIC WORLD DAY OF PEACE: Salesian Missions highlights programs that lead to peaceful, supportive environment(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 Peace. Every year on Jan. 1, the Pope marks the day with a special message inviting all people to reflect on the important work of building peace. Pope Paul VI established the day in 1967. The day was first observed on Jan. 1, 1968.Pope Francis focused his message for the day on the theme “Forgive us our trespasses: grant us your peace” inspired by his encyclical letters Laudato Si’ and Fratelli Tutti. The day focuses on hope and reconciliation and represents “a call to conversion, not oriented toward condemnation but toward reconciling and being reconciled.”The Vatican Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development noted that by “considering the reality of conflicts and social sins afflicting humanity today in light of the hope inherent in the jubilee tradition of the forgiveness of sins concrete principles emerge that can lead to a much-needed spiritual, social, economic, ecological, and cultural change.”To mark Catholic World Day of Peace 2025, Salesian Missions is proud to highlight programs that address social and economic needs of youth that lead to a peaceful and supportive environment.DOMINICAN REPUBLICMore than 9,700 Haitian refugees and their families, who fled their home country due to the ongoing political crises and settled in the community of Jarabacoa, Dominican Republic, have received meals to support their nutritional needs. The meals were provided through a partnership between Rise Against Hunger and Salesian Missions. Daughters of Mary Help of Christians distributed the meals to families in need during the first half of 2024.Most of the recipients work in construction or engage in maintenance work at a Salesian school. Many workers are undocumented and live in isolated places with their families in small, rented houses. They are not always paid fairly and have few labor benefits due to their migration status.A Salesian explained, “The socio-political situation in Haiti continues to be a major difficulty, as workers are often exposed to unfair treatment, the risk of deportation and living in precarious conditions because they have entered the country illegally. The distribution of food helps to reduce some of these dangers. Some of them are very shy, and they show fear when you first interact with them and can resist help. However, the help they received has made them feel welcomed and has allowed them to integrate better into the life of the community and open up.”ECUADORYouth attending programs at the Salesian Madre del Salvador Center, in the Santa Marta neighborhood in the Parish of La Merced, Ecuador, have a new recreation and sports area thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions. Youth and their families in the area live in situations of vulnerability, poverty and danger from violence due to gangs and drug trafficking. Located on the Esmeraldas River, the area also suffers from flooding and high pollution.Youth need a refuge and a place to feel safe, and the donation impacted the lives of 143 youth. Salesians were able to use donor funding to make the recreation area of the center more welcoming, secure, and accessible so youth have a proper environment to play sports and engage in recreational activities with their peers.A Salesian missionary explained, “This project permitted the construction of a synthetic soccer field and additional recreational areas. The joy of the children and youth is evident. The new spaces have changed the environment, and youth feel a sense of belonging and dignity. This investment reinforces our commitment to providing a more dignified quality of life.”INDIADon Bosco Higher Secondary School, located in Perambur, Chennai, India, purchased 15 sets of interactive intelligent panel boards to facilitate a more dynamic and engaging learning environment for students. The boards were purchased thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions.The boards have been installed for classes in eighth, ninth and eleventh grades as well as the audio video hall for staff. More than 700 youth will be impacted by this new technology. Most of the students are from challenging family situations. The technology will also support 63 staff people. On special occasions, other classes will have access to this technology.One young student said that he found it easier to concentrate and grasp concepts better thanks to the new boards. Other students have voiced the same opinion. Salesians report that many students thanked the school management for having brought about this enhancement into the classroom. Parents have also been pleased.UGANDASalesian missionaries with Don Bosco Children and Life Mission (Don Bosco CALM), in Namugongo, northeast of Kampala, Uganda, had the funding for a rain harvest water system thanks to the Salesian Missions Clean Water Initiative. The project was completed in June 2024.The new water system has ensured reliable clean water for the 558 students at the Salesian school along with staff, others on campus and people in the nearby community. The water is available for drinking, cooking and hygiene. The new system is also working to ensure that the campus no longer floods during heavy rains by controlling the impact of running water over the grounds. With the addition of the new system, Salesians are saving money on expensive water bills and can reinvest this money into the school.Okori Timothy, age 10, is one of the students who have benefited from the project. He explained, “Before the new water system, my friends and I struggled to have the water we needed for washing clothes and for bathing. During the rainy season it was difficult to play because the field would be flooded. This new water system is solving both problems. We have the water we need and can use the grounds to play and be with our friends.”Don Bosco CALM rescues, rehabilitates and reintegrates street children back into society. Salesians meet basic needs and provide education, socio-cultural activities, and recreation such as sports programming to help youth have a bright future.
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."