Rome, Italy - June 2018 - The Rector Major, Fr Ángel Fernández Artime, following the discernment held in the curatorium of the Pinerolo novitiate house "Monte Oliveto", and with the consensus of the General Council, officially communicated the appointment to the aforementioned house of Fr Leonardo Mancini as its Director - Master of the house of Pinerolo "Monte Oliveto" for 2018-2021, a first term of three years. Fr Mancini accepted this task in obedience, which he will assume in the next month of September, succeeding Fr Pietro Migliasso. Among the tasks of Fr Mancini there will also be that of accompanying the transfer of this formation house of Pinerolo "Monte Oliveto" to Colle Don Bosco, during the course of this next 2018/19.
Rome, Italy - June 2018 - On 25 June, at the Salesian Headquarters in Rome, a joint meeting was held between the Dicastery and the Salesian Youth Ministry, coordinated by Fr Fabio Attard, SDB, and Sr. Runita Borja, FMA. The meeting, which has been repeated for years every six months, allows the two organs of world animation of Youth Ministry of the Salesians of Don Bosco and of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians to explore and discuss themes of common interest, share processes, coordinate programs and common events. This last meeting, for example, represented an opportunity to study closely the theme of the next Synod of Bishops on "Youth, faith and vocational discernment", in light of the participatory process animated by the Secretariat of the Synod in recent months and of the recent publication of the Instrumentum Laboris. Among the common projects at the center of the agenda were the participation of the Salesian Youth Movement at the World Youth Day in Panama in January 2019, the animation processes of the Salesian Schools in America, the international coordination of the Salesian Youth Sports associations and participation in the International Congress entitled: "Youth and life choices: educational perspectives", to be held from 20 to 23 September 2018 in Rome, thanks to the collaboration between the Salesian Pontifical University and the Pontifical Faculty of Educational Sciences "Auxilium".
Turin, Italy - June 2018 – On June 16, the past, present and future of basketball at the Oratory of the Crocetta met in Via Piazzi to celebrate their first 70 years of activity. After the children's mini-basket games, there was a parade of all the current young "crocettine" teams. The celebrations then moved from PalaBallin, the sports stadium, to the Oratory Theater, the event presented by the twins Giorgio and Paolo Viberti, both established journalists and former basketball players of Don Bosco Crocetta. The President of the Coni, the Italian sports governing body, Giovanni Malagò, sent a message of good wishes, as did the President of the Italian Basketball Federation, Gianni Petrucci in a video wherein he traced and praised the long path of the Salesian “Crocettini”. Also present were the Piedmont Region President, Sergio Chiamparino, and the Regional Councilor for Sport, Giovanni Maria Ferraris, who consigned a plaque to the President of Crocetta, Roberto Romagnoli, as a sign of gratitude for the work carried out with and for young people in all these years.
Vasto, Italy - June 2018 – Taking place on June 21, at the "Aqualand del Vasto", was the 2018 Summer Youth Festival of the Salesian oratories of Vasto, Sulmona, Ancona, Porto Recanati and Civitanova.
(ANS - Turin) - Next Sunday, June 24, is the feast of St. John the Baptist, which the past pupils of Don Bosco took to celebrate as a celebration of gratitude towards the Father, Teacher and Friend of young people. In view of this anniversary, we wish to rediscover what guided all the pastoral and educational action of Don Bosco, his dreams. We do so with Fr Andrea Bozzolo, who recently published the book, "I Sogni di Don Bosco," or "The Dreams of Don Bosco. Spiritual experience and educational wisdom."
Valdocco, Turin - 1887 - On that sofa and around that lectern Don Bosco spent the last months of his life. There he rested, prayed, worked, received visits and told his secretary the beginnings of the Oratory.
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 – Don Bosco and his religious dimension today: an evening of in-depth study in the Basilica of Mary Help of Christians(ANS – Turin) – The first of the three Tuesdays organised by the Basilica of Mary Help of Christians in preparation for the feast of Don Bosco (31 January), on the theme "Today with Don Bosco, pilgrims of hope", took place as scheduled on the evening of 14 January.
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."