(ANS - Turin) – Two days dedicated to the places that preserve the memory and legacy of the "Greats". It is to celebrate these places full of charm that the Associazione Nazionale Case della Memoria has decided to promote throughout Italy the National Days of the houses of Italian famous people, scheduled for next Saturday 6 and Sunday 7 April 2024. An event that this year has reached its third edition and which has been joined by the Casa Don Bosco Museum, custodian of the memory of the Father and Teacher of Youth.
Capriglio, Italy - April 2024 - A Mass was celebrated in memory of the Venerable Margaret Occhiena, mother of Saint John Bosco on Tuesday, 2 April at 9:00 p.m., at the Parish of San Martino in Capriglio, in memory of her birth on 1 April 1788. The Mass was presided over by Fr Mario Maritano SDB, professor emeritus of Church History and Patrology. Concelebrating with him was the diocesan Vicar of the Mamma Margaret Pastoral Unit (formed by the communities of Capriglio, Montafia, Viale and Cortazzone) Fr Domenico Valsania. The Mass also featured the Mamma Margaret Choir, Capriglio. In his homily Fr Maritano, taking up the Gospel of the day, underlined how Jesus, calling Mary by name, also calls each of us by name. A personal, direct call that renews life in the light of his resurrection and the paschal mystery. So too Mamma Margaret was called by name by Jesus and her answer was prayer but above all charity towards her neighbour: she helped people less fortunate than herself during her life at the Becchi and then she was a caring mother for many boys at the Valdocco Oratory. The president of the Friends Association of the Mamma Margaret Museum, Diego Occhiena, with reference to the bicentenary year of John Bosco's childhood dream, highlighted the prophetic interpretation his moth made of the dream, imagining a priestly vocation for her son.
Genzano di Roma, Italy – April 2024 - The 6th Provincial Chapter on the evening of the first day of the Easter Octave with the singing of the Veni Creator and the official opening by the president Fr Stefano Aspettati, Superior of the Salesian Sacred Heart Circumscription of Central Italy (ICC). The Chapter assembly composed of 98 people, including Salesians and invited lay people, met in the Saint Aloysius Versiglia house in Genzano, Rome, where they will remain until Saturday, 6 April, to experience what is the moment of greatest shared responsibility in the life of a Province. The days, led by the Moderator Fr Michelangelo Dessì, will be marked by moments of prayer and assembly work times and commissions whose methodology this year will be inspired by the "spiritual conversations" that have animated the synodal assembly of the Church. The purpose of this is to give Chapter members the opportunity to listen to the Spirit to contribute on the one hand to the reflection in preparation for the 29th General Chapter of the Salesians of Don Bosco (set for 2025), for which the confreres will also be called to elect their own delegates, and on the other to share indications for the life of the Province.
Fr Francesco Galante
(ANS – Naples) – The "Don Bosco" of Naples gave life to the event to celebrate an anniversary of great importance: the 90th anniversary of the arrival of the Salesians in the outskirts suburb of Doganella. Under the title of "EDUCATING THE HEART OF NAPLES, for 90 years on Via (di) Don Bosco", the commemoration came to life in the splendid setting of the court theatre of the Royal Palace of Naples on Tuesday, 26 March.
(ANS – Rome) – As is the case every year, the retreat for the Zeffirino Namuncurà international community in Via della Bufalotta, Rome, the place for the students of theology, takes place once lessons conclude at the Pontifical Salesian University, before the Easter break, until Holy Thursday.
(ANS – Rome) – "The protocol signed on 27 March is a sign of fundamental importance that expands the network between associations and institutions to cultivate a correct culture of legality among young people, especially those at risk," said Cardinal Augusto Paolo Lojudice, honorary president of the Fonte d 'Ismaele association, one of the five associations involved in the "Free to Choose" project aimed at removing family members and especially minors from "criminal" contamination.
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
-
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
-
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."