Rome, Italy - 4 August 2024 - It was a day of cultural immersion for the participants of the "Shaping Tomorrow" Communication Conference as they embarked on an exhilarating exploration of the rich history and vibrant religious sites of Rome. The day began with a visit to St. Peter's Square, where the group witnessed the profound experience of receiving the Angelus blessing from Pope Francis himself during the Sunday Angelus at the Vatican. Seeing the Pope appear at the window was a deeply moving moment for everyone. The group then embarked on a guided tour of Rome's iconic landmarks, including the grandeur of St. Peter's Basilica, the architectural marvel of the Pantheon, the historic Castel Sant'Angelo, and the lively Piazza Navona. More than just a sightseeing excursion, this outing was a day filled with fun, joy, and meaningful interactions. As the participants marveled at the architectural wonders and absorbed the historical significance of each site, they were not merely observing – they were actively engaging with the city's rich cultural heritage. The day fostered a sense of learning, cultural exchange, and a strong community among the conference attendees, making it a truly memorable part of the media event. This Roman adventure was not just a day of sightseeing, but a deeply enriching experience that allowed the participants to immerse themselves in the timeless beauty and captivating history of the Eternal City. The memories of this journey will undoubtedly linger, serving as a testament to the power of cultural exploration and the value of shared experiences.
(ANS - Rome) - On August 5, 2024, the fifth day of the "Shaping Tomorrow" Communication Conference, two interesting sessions were held on "Communicating with Gen Z and Alpha in Society and in the Church."
Rome, Italy - August 2024 - A compelling testimony on the communication of the three most recent pontificates (John Paul II, Benedict XVI and Francis) rounded off the morning of the fifth day of the World Communication Conference "Shaping Tomorrow". The speaker was Vaticanist Valentina Alazraki, who has been closely following the Popes since 1978. Alazarki highlighted the great media openings of Pope John Paul II, from his first greeting on the day of his election to the free display of his physical decline, through the countless public gestures he made that were perfectly 'newsworthy' for the media. The pontificate of Benedict XVI was then examined, a Pope with a great human trait and a profound word, but often misunderstood or even attacked by the media, due to prejudices towards the 'Theologian Pope', to the more shy and reserved nature of the Bavarian Pope, and to a different management of the communication dynamics of that period. Lastly, the communicative novelty brought by Pope Francis, with his search for direct and personal contact with the people and his unexpected and spontaneous gestures, amidst related challenges and opportunities, was also explored. In conclusion, the speaker emphasised how in all three Popes the Holy Spirit was seen in action: “all three different, each with his own charisma, but all united in the service of the Church”.
(ANS - Rome) - Sunday, 4 August 2024, the fourth day of the "Shaping Tomorrow" Worldwide Communication Conference, commenced with a special celebration of the Sunday Holy Eucharist.
(ANS - Rome) - An attentive and qualified excursus between the past, present and future of the Church's communication on the web constituted the last work session of the weekend for the approximately 150 participants at the World Conference on Social Communication "Shaping Tomorrow". Journalist and President of the Association of Catholic Webmasters (WeCa) of Italy, Fabio Bolzetta, returned to the stage for the second time to address the topic of the Church in the digital world and the approach to new technologies in Church Communication.
Rome, Italy - Aug. 3, 2024 - "Ten good practices of evangelization in social networks, of which the last one is the best": with this catchy beginning Sister Xiskya Valladares returned to the stage of the World Social Communication Conference "Shaping Tomorrow," underway in Rome (Aug. 1-7) to offer in a quick, clear and entertaining way some tricks to be effective in evangelizing and educational communication on the web. Among her suggestions: set relevant and defined goals; know your intended audience well; create relevant and specific content for that audience; have a project mentality, plan and schedule content; capture the audience's attention from the start; optimize content for each platform; keep interaction high with a "call to action" and immediate response to comments; measure and analyze the performance of your actions, and refine your strategy accordingly; take advantage of user-generated content; and finally - most important - take care of Eucharistic life.
PHOTO GALLERY
INTERVIEWS
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RMG - Preparation, objectives, challenges and perspectives of GC29: in dialogue with the Moderator, Fr Alphonse Owoudou
(ANS - RMG) - Just a few days before the beginning of the 29th General Chapter (GC29) of the Salesian Congregation, Fr Alphonse Owoudou, Councillor for the Africa-Madagascar Region and Moderator of GC29, recounts in detail, through an articulate interview, the work preceding and underlying this responsibility, indicating the spirit that will animate it and the attitudes and conditions to make it truly a Cenacle in which the Holy Spirit can act, for the benefit of the Congregation, the Salesian mission and the youth of the world.
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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Spain – 33rd Edition of the Edebé Prize for Children's and Young Adult Literature: Here Are the Winners
(ANS – Madrid) – The 33rd edition of the Edebé Prize for Children's and Young Adult Literature has been awarded to Beatriz Giménez de Ory (Madrid, 1972) for her novel Tres niños tristes y medio unicornio (Three Sad Children and Half a Unicorn) and David Lozano (Zaragoza, 1974) for his novel La cacería (The Hunt).
SPECIAL REPORTS
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United States – CATHOLIC WORLD DAY OF THE SICK: Salesian Missions highlights medical programs for people in need around the globe
(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 the Sick. Every year on Feb. 11, the Pope marks the day with a special message calling for spiritual and physical closeness to all those who are ill. Saint John Paul II instituted the day “to encourage the people of God, Catholic health institutions and civil society to be increasingly attentive to the sick and to those who care for them.”
MESSAGES OF THE RECTOR MAJOR
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GOOD, FAITHFUL, AND COURAGEOUS SERVANTS
THE MESSAGE OF THE VICAR OF THE RECTOR MAJOR, Fr Stefano Martoglio, SDB
During this Jubilee year, in this difficult world, we are invited to rise up, set out again, and, in newness of life, make our journey as human beings and believers.