Catania, Italy - March 2017 – Matthew is a great friend of the Salesians and of the young foreign students of the Sacred Heart Institute at San Gregorio in Catania. He will be the star of the Telethon to be held in Catania from 24 to 26 March. Matthew’s smile symbolizes hope for a cure for those like him who are suffering from a rare genetic disease called Marinesco-Sjogren's syndrome. This year the fundraising walk will represent the conclusion of three days of music, entertainment and integration. It will be attended by all the boys, and the Salesians and teachers of San Gregorio, all gathered around little Matthew!
(ANS - Rome) - Training and work are an important combination: young people go to school to study and learn knowledge that will be the basis on which they build their professional career and acquire the ability to stay in the workforce. Some schools have a period of work experience in preparation for this step. It is an opportunity for young people to begin to confront the adult world through the learning of a trade, and the development of social skills in the work context. The Reception Centre for Minors at Borgo Ragazzi Don Bosco is implementing this strategy.
Turin, Italy - March 2017 – SYM Day was held on 19 March at Valdocco, with hundreds of young people from different works of the Salesians and the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians in Piedmont and Valle d'Aosta. The young people, with the spirit of joy and celebration so dear to the Saint of Youth, had the opportunity to discuss and share the experience of several witnesses of Christian charity to try to answer the gospel question: "Teacher, where do you live?"
(ANS - Prato) - A home has been opened for separated fathers and their children. Thanks to the contribution of the Poste Insieme Onlus foundation, the Salesians of the Federation SCS / CNOS are able to run "Casa Francesco" in Prato. It offers accommodation to fathers with one or more children who are separated or whose marriage is in crisis.
Jesolo, Italy - March 2017 - On 12 March, the Triveneto Salesian Youth Movement organized a Young Peoples’ Day on the theme "Master, where do you live? ". The event was attended by young people aged between 9 and 14 years. They had moments of animation, entertainment, presentation of the message of the feast, the Eucharist – presided over by Fr Stefano Martoglio, Councillor for the Mediterranean Region - beach games, awards various competitions and games.
Photo Gallery: http://www.donboscoland.it/photoalbums/festa-dei-ragazzi-2017
Rome, Italy - March 2017 - Fr Antonio Spadaro, Jesuit, Director of "La Civilta Cattolica," the oldest magazine in Italy (1850), has been appointed a member of the National Presidency of the Italian Federation of Past Pupils of Don Bosco. He is a Past Pupil and a Priest but not a Salesian. His appointment is an expression of the full and unanimous agreement of CISI (Conference of Salesian Provincials of Italy), presided over by Fr. Stefano Martoglio, Councillor for the Mediterranean Region. In its last meeting from 12 to 16 January, he expressed the wish and gave his approval. Antonio Spadaro was born in Messina on 6 July 1966. He studied at the San Luigi Salesian High School in Messina and for many years attended the oratory of St Dominic Savio in the same city. He was part of the Don Bosco Boys and was one of the founders of the Salesian Youth Movement. He did his philosophical and theological studies at the Theological Institute of St. Thomas which was affiliated to the Salesian Pontifical University. He graduated in Philosophy from the University of Messina (1988), and in 2000 obtained his doctorate in theology at the Gregorian Pontifical University.
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."