Rome, Italy – July 2023 - The annual meeting of Salesians involved in the various stages of formation in Italy was held at the National Centre of Salesian Works in Rome from Thursday 29 June to Sunday 2 July. Beginning with what had emerged from last year's meeting, attention was once again focused on the question of education and growth in our manifold affections as an expression of relationship, both on the part of the Salesians in formation and their formators. Various speakers helped the participants to consider the topic in all its complexity: Father Adrien Candiard O.P.; Father Andrea Bozzolo, Rector Magnificus of the Pontifical Salesian University (UPS) in Rome; Sister Fulvia Sieni, Abbess of the Augustinian Sisters at the Santi Quattro Coronati Monastery (Rome); and Dr. Chiara D'Urbano, Consultor for the Dicastery for the Clergy. In addition to the lectures, ample space was given to discussion and sharing the urgent needs that formators find in the process of growth of young Salesians, and that they have to face personally. The days took place in a serene and genuinely fraternal atmosphere, characterised by the common desire to understand human affections more deeply, in the light of intrinsic needs and the redemption for which we yearn. Cconsecrated life, especially Salesian life, is called to be an expression of this.
Rome, Italy – June 2023 - The final Advisory Council for the pastoral year of the Association of Salesian Cooperators from Italy, Middle East and Malta Region was held in Rome on Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 June. During the meeting there was time to meet the National Secretariat of the Salesian Youth Movement (SYM) for a moment of acquaintance and discussion. The two groups also shared the celebration of the Eucharist with Fr Fabio Attard, Head of Formation of Salesians and Laity in Europe as main celebrant. The work of the Council focused on a review of the past year and planning for the coming year: all the provincial coordinators of the Region participated (in person and online), as well as the members of the Regional Executive Secretariat. The next meeting will be in October at Colle Don Bosco for the first Advisory Council meeting of the next pastoral year.
(ANS – Cogne) - The Rector Major, Fr Ángel Fernández Artime and the General Council went to Valle d 'Aosta in Cogne from 30 June to 2 July as guests of the Alpine Villaggio Alpino Don Bosco di Cogne. Located in the heart of the Gran Paradiso National Park, this house is run by the Salesians from the Piedmont and Valle d 'Aosta Special Circumscription (ICP), and offers school camps, retreats, meetings and vocational guidance opportunities, study courses, holidays for the clergy and formation meetings for the laity.
(ANS – Rome) – On 27 June the Rector Major, Fr Ángel Fernández Artime, with the consent of the General Council, appointed Fr Domenico Parternò Superior of the new Special North African Circumscription dedicated to Saint Augustine (CNA), which was canonically erected on 14 March 2023.
Bologna, Italy – June 2023 – On 17 June in the Don Bosco parish in Bologna, six young Salesians were ordained priests by Cardinal Daniel Fernando Sturla Berhouet, SDB, Metropolitan Archbishop of Montevideo, Uruguay. Fr Giuliano Giacomazzi, Superior of the Lombardo-Emilian Salesian Province (ILE), was present.
(ANS – Turin) – The regional European meeting of the Past Pupils of Don Bosco was held at the Salesian Mother House at Valdocco, Turin from 22 to 25 June 2023, in the presence of the World President of the Past Pupils Confederation, Bryan Magro.
PHOTO GALLERY
INTERVIEWS
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RMG - Preparation, objectives, challenges and perspectives of GC29: in dialogue with the Moderator, Fr Alphonse Owoudou(ANS - RMG) - Just a few days before the beginning of the 29th General Chapter (GC29) of the Salesian Congregation, Fr Alphonse Owoudou, Councillor for the Africa-Madagascar Region and Moderator of GC29, recounts in detail, through an articulate interview, the work preceding and underlying this responsibility, indicating the spirit that will animate it and the attitudes and conditions to make it truly a Cenacle in which the Holy Spirit can act, for the benefit of the Congregation, the Salesian mission and the youth of the world.
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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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
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GOOD, FAITHFUL, AND COURAGEOUS SERVANTSTHE MESSAGE OF THE VICAR OF THE RECTOR MAJOR, Fr Stefano Martoglio, SDB
During this Jubilee year, in this difficult world, we are invited to rise up, set out again, and, in newness of life, make our journey as human beings and believers.