(ANS – Rome) – In the year in which the entire Salesian Family focuses on Don Bosco's Dream at Nine Years of Age, many other small dreams are arising in the Salesian world, carried out by those who call on him for the education and evangelisation of young people. This explains, for example, the new initiative that is being developed at Sacred Heart in Rome: the first Salesian Symphony Orchestra (OSS), a project, moreover, still in its embryonic phase, but which has already received the blessing and explicit support of Cardinal Ángel Fernández Artime, Rector Major of the Salesians.
Venice Mestre, Italy – January 2024 – The 8th Provincial Chapter of the Salesian Province of Italy-North-East (INE) began on 20 January, , convened specifically and as a priority in view of General Chapter 29, to explore the theme "Passionate about Jesus Christ, dedicated to Young People"; as well as to elect the Delegate, or Delegates, to the General Chapter and their substitutes. The first session began with the Eucharistic Celebration presided over by Fr Igino Biffi, Superior of INE Province. Then the regulations, the Provincial Chapter process and other documents related to the Chapter were presented to the 70 Chapter members, with the first discussions on the proposed methods, presented by the President of the Provincial Chapter, Fr Biffi and the Moderator, Fr Loris Benvenuti. In the afternoon, Dialogue Groups were held to share and reflect on two of the three themes required by the GC29: Core Area 1. "Animation and Care of the true life of each Salesian"; and Core Area 2: "Salesians, Salesian Family and Lay people together ‘with’ and ‘for’ young people". The second session of the Chapter will take place from 25 to 27 April 2024, where the document to be submitted to the GC29 will be drawn up and there will be the election of delegates from INE Province.
(ANS – Prato) – It is not easy to be able to give a new direction to your life when you are forced to run away from your country, taking with you the bare minimum, and having to take care of safeguarding two young children in the first place. Yet Mahdi and Tayeba, two Afghan refugees, are doing this. Thanks to their commitment and thanks to the "DON BOSCO NEl MONDO" Foundation and its "We are with you!" Project, which promotes an integrated and pilot system of reception, integration, formation and social inclusion for Afghan families who arrived in Italy thanks to the activation of humanitarian corridors. It can be found in Salesian settings today.
(ANS – Castelnuovo Don Bosco) – 11 Salesian museums are participating in the first ever meeting of museums at the Congregation level. They are mostly from Latin America and Italy, with one from India and one from Spain. 24 Salesians and lay people are involved in this five-day programme at Colle Don Bosco, from 18 to 22 January 2022.
Italy, Turin – January 2024 – The Salesian Family Spirituality Days 2024 ended yesterday, Sunday, 21 January. These were intense days, during which about 400 members of this great religious family, together with the 4,000 connected online, met in Valdocco with the Rector Major, Cardinal Ángel Fernández Artime. Together, they prayed, shared spirituality, listened to testimonies and reflected on Strenna 2024: "The dream that makes you dream. A heart that transforms ‘wolves’ into ‘lambs’”. Also this year, the Salesian Family Spirituality Days were therefore an important moment of communion and fellowship between the different groups that have come into being on the great charismatic tree that Don Bosco began. In fact, the Rector Major commented on these days, drawing a positive balance sheet and stating how the maturity of the Salesian Family was evident in them.
(ANS - Turin) – On the 3rd day of the Salesian Spirituality Days, (Saturday, 20 January) the over 350 participants (to which other daily "visitors", members and friends of the Valdocco communities were added), reached the peak of the focus on the theme. In the morning, divided into groups they took turns to listen (in presence or via Web) to the testimonies of young people from all over the world. In the afternoon was time was dedicated to visiting the significant places related to the origins of Salesianity.
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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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
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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
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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."