(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
-
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
-
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
-
India – INS youth solemnise Don Bosco’s Feast Day with ‘Ka Sur Kynud S-3’ Grand Finale(ANS – Shillong) – The Youth of St John Paul II, Shillong Province, celebrated the Feast Day of St. John Bosco with the Grand Finale of “Ka Sur Kynud, Season 3.” Organised by Don Bosco Media Network Television, the Social Communication Department of the Province, at Don Bosco Youth Centre, Laitumkhrah, Shillong, this two-month-long singing competition, which imitates the global singing competition The Voice, concluded on 31 January 2025, coinciding with the Solemnity of St John Bosco.
SPECIAL REPORTS
-
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
-
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."