(ANS - Rome) - About midnight on Friday, the Italian newspapers shocked the world of literature and culture with the news of the death of Umberto Eco, writer, philosopher, and also a Salesian past pupil. Eco received his Salesian education and, indeed, in many of his works he made reference to the Salesians and Don Bosco. In an interview he remembered the good times spent with the Salesians and expressly remembered Don Celi: "This Salesian taught me how to play a musical instrument."
(ANS - Rome) - It was 6 September 2015 when Pope Francis invited parishes and religious communities across Europe to put the Gospel into practice by accepting refugee families, as a concrete gesture of mercy. Since then, many communities have taken up his call. And in recent days, two more Salesian houses, in Rome and Venice, have opened their doors to refugees.
(ANS - Turin) - In one of the Masses celebrated yesterday morning, 31 January, at Valdocco, Fr Bruno Ferrero, SDB, recalled a poem and said: "Don Bosco is still alive. Do not tell me that Don Bosco is dead. He is on the streets, in the suburbs and schools. Wherever there is a young person, Don Bosco is there." Then, in a later Mass, Archbishop Nosiglia of Turin, spoke of Don Bosco as a deeply merciful man because he was a saint who devoted his life to saving those in need
Rome, Italy - May 2020 - On 14 May 1887, Don Bosco attended the consecration of the temple dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. On 16 May 1887, he celebrated his only Mass at the altar dedicated to Mary Help of Christians. "More than 15 times he was seen fighting to finish the Holy Mass," report the Biographical Memoirs. To assist him was Fr Carlo Viglietti, his secretary. "Don Bosco's crying greatly impressed those present and many began to cry." The painting is a work of art by Giuseppe Rollini (1887) and the altar was donated by Prince Torlonia.
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 – On-Line Course on Integral Ecology 2025: An Initiative of the Alliance for the Care of Our Common Home (Pontifical Universities & Atheneums of Rome)(ANS – Rome) – 2025 marks the tenth anniversary of Laudato Si’, Pope Francis’ landmark encyclical letter on the Care for Our Common Home, in which he invited all people of good to “a new dialogue about how we are shaping the future of our planet” (Laudato Si’, 14). However, as Pope Francis recognizes in Laudate Deum, the apostolic exhortation published on 4th October 2023, “our responses have not been adequate” and “the world in which we live is collapsing and may be nearing the breaking point.” (Laudate Deum, 2).
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."