Rome, Italy - July 2016 - The 11th World Assembly of VIDES (International Voluntary Women Education and Development) ended on 18 July at the Salesianum. There were about 150 participants - young people and Daughters of Mary Help of Christians from 34 countries. Also present were Mother Yvonne Reungoat, Superior General of the FMA, Fr Ángel Fernández Artime, Rector Major of the Salesians, and members of the FMA and SDB Councils. Vides was founded by the FMA in 1991 and at present there are 209 groups engaged in volunteer service with the FMA in 42 countries worldwide.
(ANS - Rome) – A meeting of young people at the Salesian Oratory of the Sacred Heart in Rome in the year 1950. In the photo we see a Salesian in a black cassock, and many young people.
Gela, Italy - July 2016 – Summer activities are taking place from 20 June to 25 July in the Salesian Oratory of Saint Dominic Savio in Gela, in the Province of Sicily (ISI). About 450 children and young people are participating in the GREST programme entitled "Edelon, the extraordinary door", a path of human and Christian formation, to discover the plan God has for them. GREST is led by Fr Franco Crimi who is in charge of the oratory, Fr Aurelio di Quattro, Fr Pierpaolo Galota, about 80 leaders and collaborators and about ten parents.
Bari, Italy - June 2016 - On June 28, the Salesian Oratory of the Redeemer in Bari held a feast of law observance in collaboration with the police station as part of the 2016 Summer Camp. The State Police, with the Canine and Bomb Disposal Unit, led by director Dr Anna De Seno, met with 200 young people who daily attend the Salesian oratory in the Liberty district. The aim is to make young people aware of the law and to stop them engaging in unlawful and dangerous behaviour. The police gave a demonstration with sniffer dogs and anti-explosives and met with the young people and their parents on issues concerning law observance and bullying.
(ANS – Selva di Cadore) – The whole group of 16 FMA including Mother Yvonne Reungaut and 15 SDB including the Rector Major Fr. Ángel Fernandez Artime was hosted in the Santa Fosca di Cadore (Belluno, Northern Italy) retreat house in a wonderful weather and paradise-like natural environment of the Dolomites region (1400 meter above sea level). “Misericordes Sicut Pater” (Merciful as the Father) was the main theme of the joint spiritual retreat of both General councils preached by a Salesian Scripture scholar and Bishop Mauro Maria Morfino (Diocese of Alghero – Bosa, Sardegna).
(ANS - Rome) - Over 2 million young people enrolled, 350 thousand volunteers and animators involved, 8,000 buildings utilized – these are the statistics for the summer oratory in Italy in 2016. According to the Forum for the Italian Oratories (FOI), about 2000 new oratories have opened since 2001. This year the attendance is up by 10% on last year. The Salesian oratories in Italy offer a summer experience to young people who often come from difficult and problematic backgrounds.
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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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."