(ANS - Rome) - On Sunday afternoon, May 7, 2023, Salesian Virgílio do Carmo da Silva, archbishop of Dili, capital of Timor-Leste, took possession of his cardinal title, in the order of cardinal presbyter, at the parish "Sant'Alberto Magno," located on the northern outskirts of Rome.
(ANS - Rome) - The tradition of the World Novena to Mary Help of Christians (May 15-23), promoted by the Salesian Central Headquarters and of relevance for all members of the Salesian Family who intend to adequately prepare for this recurrence, is renewed again this year. The videos and accompanying booklets for Novena 2023 will be made available online in the coming days, while the presentation video can already be viewed as of today, Thursday, May 4.
(ANS – Rome) – The Novena to Mary Help of Christians begins today, Monday 15 May. It will accompany many consecrated and lay people of the Salesian Family on their spiritual journey towards this annual celebration that was so dear to Don Bosco. For those who wish to go on this journey together with the Father and Center of Unity of the Salesian Family, Fr Ángel Fernández Artime, the videos of this Worldwide Novena are being made available on the different language channels of ANSChannel and on TELEGRAM SDB.ORG, starting from yesterday. They will be uploaded gradually each day until the eve of the feast day.
Rome, Italy - 1940 - On May 3, 1940, the Holy See, through a special decree signed by Card. Giuseppe Pizzardo, approved and erected the Pontifical Salesian Athenaeum, under the leadership of Fr. Ricaldone, who was the first Grand Chancellor. The Athenaeum, despite the difficulties caused by World War II, continued its activities and even managed to start, at the Faculty of Philosophy, an Institute and Seminary of Pedagogy.
(ANS - Monteortone) - From April 14 to 16, the workshop ("formative laboratory") of the Association of Salesian Cooperators of Italy, Middle East, and Malta Region was held in the Salesian house in Monteortone, in the province of Padua. More than 100 people, including Provincial Councils, referents of animation sectors, and facilitators, experienced three days of preparation and discussion, on the theme of lay commitment in society: "To be a leaven of humanity, if not now when?"
(ANS - Rome) - The book "L'educazione cattolica nel Magistero della Chiesa universale. Una sintesi introduttiva" by three prestigious professors of the Salesian Pontifical University (UPS) - Fr. Cesare Bissoli, Fr. Sergio Cicatelli, Fr. Guglielmo Malizia - and the late Prof. Fr Carlo Nanni, Rector Magnificus of UPS for two terms (2009-2015), who passed away in 2020. This is a volume of great significance as it offers a synthesis of the Church's Magisterium on Catholic education.
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.