Rome, Italy – November 2024 – On November 8, the course for Spanish, Portuguese, and French-speaking Provincial Secretaries, coordinated by Fr. Guido Garino, Secretary of the General Council, concluded at the Pontifical Salesian University (UPS). During the course, secretaries from around thirty Salesian jurisdictions learned essential content for their roles and engaged in discussions with several members of the Salesian Headquarters in Rome, including Fr. Luis Botasso from the General Economer’s office for financial matters, Fr. Pier Fausto Frisoli on legal topics, and Salesian Brother Marco Bay, Director of the Central Salesian and Photographic Archive, for cataloging and statistics. Participants also had an opportunity to discuss the fundamental role of the Provincial Secretary with Fr. Stefano Martoglio, Vicar of the Rector Major. Today, delegates also enjoyed a visit to St. Peter's Basilica, appreciating the beauty of Rome.
(ANS - Rome) - Over 2.1 billion euro will be invested in 2023 for training and labour policies, of which 70%, 1.4 billion, will be earmarked for vocational training and 30%, 640 million, for active labour policies. These are the figures that will be presented next Thursday, 14 November 2024, at the ‘Sala Zuccari’ at Palazzo Giustiniani in Rome, during the annual seminar organised by the Centro Nazionale Opere Salesiane-Formazione e Aggiornamento Professionale (CNOS-FAP) and the PTSCLAS consultancy firm ‘on vocational training and employment policies.
(ANS – Rome) – In recent years 1 September is a date that has gained considerable significance for the Christian community, as it was chosen to celebrate the act of Creation. Currently, this date is known as: "World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation", or "The Feast of Creation" or "Creation Day".
Italy – November 2024 - From Tuesday 29 October to Saturday 2 November, 400 pilgrims, members and friends of the Salesian Family, coming from the various works of the France and Southern Belgium Province (FRB), went on a pilgrimage in the footsteps of Don Bosco, in the places of his life as a child and as an adult: the Bezcchi and Valdocco, in Turin. The previous editions had been held in Lourdes but, this time, the SDB and FMA Provinces wanted to go to Italy to celebrate the 200th anniversary of Don Bosco's Dream at 9 Years of Age. All were welcomed by Fr Daniel Federspiel, Superior of the FRB Province, and Sister Marie-Agnès Chetcuti, Provincial of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians in the Notre-Dame des Nations Province (France, southern Belgium, Tunisia). There were numerous Salesian Cooperators, past pupils and young people from the Salesian Youth Movement. On the spot, they were accompanied in particular by Fr Mike Pace, SDB, deputy director of the "Museo Casa Don Bosco" in Turin, who explored John Bosco's Dream at 9 Years of age, again when he was 29 years old, in 1844, and the 1886 dream in Barcelona, a "missionary" dream with the future deployment of the Congregation in the world. The All Saints' Mass, celebrated in the lower basilica of Colle Don Bosco, was presided over by Fr Emmanuel Petit, the last ordained for the Congregation and now on mission in Guadeloupe. Finally, on the last evening, the children from two Salesian works in the south of France, La Navarre and Saint-Cyr, presented a musical comedy dedicated to Michael Magone: "From the street to the light, a teenager on the way".
Rome, Italy – November 2024 - The second session of the course for French, Portuguese and Spanish-speaking Provincial Secretaries is taking place from 5 to 8 November at the Pontifical Salesian University in Rome, coordinated by Fr Guido Garino, Secretary of the General Council, with the support of Davide Colombo and Marco Fragapane. There are about thirty participants and they come from Provinces and Vice-Provinces of Central and South America, Francophone Africa and Timor-Leste. The course deals with issues related to the role of the Provincial Secretary, analysing the various challenges he faces on a daily basis.
(ANS – Castelnuovo Don Bosco) – The General Councillor for Youth Ministry, Fr Miguel Angel García Morcuende, visited the European novitiate at Colle Don Bosco from 27 to 30 October 2024. The Salesian community is currently composed of six formators and 27 novices belonging to the Province of Croatia (CRO), Slovenia (SLO), Northeast Italy (INE), Lombard-Emilian Italy (ILE), Piedmont and Valle d 'Aosta Circumscription Italy (ICP), Saint James the Greater Spain (SSM), Mary Help of Christians Spain (SMX), Austria (AUS), Warsaw Poland (PLE), Piła Poland (PLO) and Ukraine (UKR).
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 – Don Bosco and his religious dimension today: an evening of in-depth study in the Basilica of Mary Help of Christians(ANS – Turin) – The first of the three Tuesdays organised by the Basilica of Mary Help of Christians in preparation for the feast of Don Bosco (31 January), on the theme "Today with Don Bosco, pilgrims of hope", took place as scheduled on the evening of 14 January.
SPECIAL REPORTS
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United States – CATHOLIC WORLD DAY OF PEACE: Salesian Missions highlights programs that lead to peaceful, supportive environment(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 Peace. Every year on Jan. 1, the Pope marks the day with a special message inviting all people to reflect on the important work of building peace. Pope Paul VI established the day in 1967. The day was first observed on Jan. 1, 1968.
United States – CATHOLIC WORLD DAY OF PEACE: Salesian Missions highlights programs that lead to peaceful, supportive environment(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 Peace. Every year on Jan. 1, the Pope marks the day with a special message inviting all people to reflect on the important work of building peace. Pope Paul VI established the day in 1967. The day was first observed on Jan. 1, 1968.Pope Francis focused his message for the day on the theme “Forgive us our trespasses: grant us your peace” inspired by his encyclical letters Laudato Si’ and Fratelli Tutti. The day focuses on hope and reconciliation and represents “a call to conversion, not oriented toward condemnation but toward reconciling and being reconciled.”The Vatican Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development noted that by “considering the reality of conflicts and social sins afflicting humanity today in light of the hope inherent in the jubilee tradition of the forgiveness of sins concrete principles emerge that can lead to a much-needed spiritual, social, economic, ecological, and cultural change.”To mark Catholic World Day of Peace 2025, Salesian Missions is proud to highlight programs that address social and economic needs of youth that lead to a peaceful and supportive environment.DOMINICAN REPUBLICMore than 9,700 Haitian refugees and their families, who fled their home country due to the ongoing political crises and settled in the community of Jarabacoa, Dominican Republic, have received meals to support their nutritional needs. The meals were provided through a partnership between Rise Against Hunger and Salesian Missions. Daughters of Mary Help of Christians distributed the meals to families in need during the first half of 2024.Most of the recipients work in construction or engage in maintenance work at a Salesian school. Many workers are undocumented and live in isolated places with their families in small, rented houses. They are not always paid fairly and have few labor benefits due to their migration status.A Salesian explained, “The socio-political situation in Haiti continues to be a major difficulty, as workers are often exposed to unfair treatment, the risk of deportation and living in precarious conditions because they have entered the country illegally. The distribution of food helps to reduce some of these dangers. Some of them are very shy, and they show fear when you first interact with them and can resist help. However, the help they received has made them feel welcomed and has allowed them to integrate better into the life of the community and open up.”ECUADORYouth attending programs at the Salesian Madre del Salvador Center, in the Santa Marta neighborhood in the Parish of La Merced, Ecuador, have a new recreation and sports area thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions. Youth and their families in the area live in situations of vulnerability, poverty and danger from violence due to gangs and drug trafficking. Located on the Esmeraldas River, the area also suffers from flooding and high pollution.Youth need a refuge and a place to feel safe, and the donation impacted the lives of 143 youth. Salesians were able to use donor funding to make the recreation area of the center more welcoming, secure, and accessible so youth have a proper environment to play sports and engage in recreational activities with their peers.A Salesian missionary explained, “This project permitted the construction of a synthetic soccer field and additional recreational areas. The joy of the children and youth is evident. The new spaces have changed the environment, and youth feel a sense of belonging and dignity. This investment reinforces our commitment to providing a more dignified quality of life.”INDIADon Bosco Higher Secondary School, located in Perambur, Chennai, India, purchased 15 sets of interactive intelligent panel boards to facilitate a more dynamic and engaging learning environment for students. The boards were purchased thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions.The boards have been installed for classes in eighth, ninth and eleventh grades as well as the audio video hall for staff. More than 700 youth will be impacted by this new technology. Most of the students are from challenging family situations. The technology will also support 63 staff people. On special occasions, other classes will have access to this technology.One young student said that he found it easier to concentrate and grasp concepts better thanks to the new boards. Other students have voiced the same opinion. Salesians report that many students thanked the school management for having brought about this enhancement into the classroom. Parents have also been pleased.UGANDASalesian missionaries with Don Bosco Children and Life Mission (Don Bosco CALM), in Namugongo, northeast of Kampala, Uganda, had the funding for a rain harvest water system thanks to the Salesian Missions Clean Water Initiative. The project was completed in June 2024.The new water system has ensured reliable clean water for the 558 students at the Salesian school along with staff, others on campus and people in the nearby community. The water is available for drinking, cooking and hygiene. The new system is also working to ensure that the campus no longer floods during heavy rains by controlling the impact of running water over the grounds. With the addition of the new system, Salesians are saving money on expensive water bills and can reinvest this money into the school.Okori Timothy, age 10, is one of the students who have benefited from the project. He explained, “Before the new water system, my friends and I struggled to have the water we needed for washing clothes and for bathing. During the rainy season it was difficult to play because the field would be flooded. This new water system is solving both problems. We have the water we need and can use the grounds to play and be with our friends.”Don Bosco CALM rescues, rehabilitates and reintegrates street children back into society. Salesians meet basic needs and provide education, socio-cultural activities, and recreation such as sports programming to help youth have a bright future.
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."