(ANS – Rome) – Given its position at the heart of the Eternal City, close to Termini station, every year it is visited by around 800,000 people – many of whom just in passing but also drawn to it by its many beautiful art pieces, and who then discover an oasis of peace and spirituality where they can pause before setting out once more, some to travel, some to return to their daily affairs. This is the Sacred Heart Basilica in Rome, a church that was one of Don Bosco’s major concerns in the final years of his life. Over these days it has been preparing to celebrate its patronal feast.
(ANS – Rome) – The national assembly of "Salesians for Social APS" will be held from 9 to 11 June 2023 at the Salesian Pius XI work in Rome. “Let's build empathetic communities – 30 years of Salesian social network” is the title of this event, which takes place in the year in which Salesians for Social celebrates 30 years since its foundation.
Cagliari, Italy – May 2023 - On Saturday morning, 27 May, ten new Salesian Cooperators (ASC), lay people who are inspired by the charism of Don Bosco and who choose to embody him in the areas of life in which they live, made their promise. The setting for this exciting scene was the Basilica of Our Lady of Bonaria, in the presence of all the young students from the Don Bosco school in Cagliari. The World Coordinator of the ASC, Antonio Boccia, who was in Hong Kong at the time for the 10th ASC East Asia- Oceania Region Congress, sent a video with his greetings welcoming the new members of the Association.
Livorno, Italy - May 2023 - Because of the 125th anniversary of Salesian presence in the city of Livorno, the Rector Major, Fr Ángel Fernández Artime, visited the seaside city on Saturday, 27 May and Sunday, 28 May. For the occasion, the Salesian parish named precisely after Don Bosco organised two days filled with appointments and events, under the banner of Don Bosco's motto: "Happy in time and in eternity...." During these two days, the 10th Successor of Don Bosco animated the local Salesian Family and indicated the paths to follow in order to remain always meaningful and attractive to young people.
(ANS – Domodossola) – The Rector Major of the Salesians of Don Bosco, Fr Ángel Fernández Artime, and the members of his General Council are involved in a week of Retreat from 1 to 8 June, as part of the General Council’s summer plenary session activities. Fr Giuseppe Roggia, SDB, is the preacher.
Schio, Italy – May 2023 – The new Don Bosco Oratory in Schio was opened on 31 May with a Mass celebrated by the Bishop of Vicenza, Bishop Giuliano Brugnotto. The ribbon was but by Bishop Brugnotto, Fr Juan Carlos Pérez Godoy, Councillor for the Mediterranean Region, Fr Igino Biffi, Superior of the Salesian Province of North-East Italy (INE), Fr Enrico Gaetan, Rector, Economer and Principal of the Salesian work in Schio, as well as Walter Orsi, Mayor of the city. The work saw the complete restoration of the historic building, maintaining the original quality of the building and recovering the centrality of the old courtyard overlooked by the games room, the bar and the lecture hall. The facilities were completely renovated and, with the renovation of the two upper floors, classrooms were recovered for the Vocational Training Centre. Hundreds of people, mainly young people, took part in the festive evening, which took place in a typically Salesian atmosphere.
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.