(ANS - Cisternino) - On Sunday, February 12, 2023, the traditional "March for Peace - Along the Steps of Venerable Francesco Convertini" was held, promoted by the Pro-Marinelli Association. The communities of Locorotondo and Cisternino met around the large oak tree in the contrada Marinelli neighborhood to live a moment of reflection and sharing together, this event inspired by Pope Francis' message for World Day of Peace 2023: "No one can be saved alone. Embarking together on paths of peace."
(ANS - Turin) - After the terrible earthquakes that shook Turkey and Syria and caused tens of thousands of victims and injuries, Fr. Ángel Fernández Artime, the Rector Major of the Salesians, expresses all his sorrow and closeness. "We are truly suffering ... great is the pain," said the 10th Successor of Don Bosco from Valdocco.
(ANS - Rome) - The echoes of the visit of the Rector Major of the Salesians, Fr. Ángel Fernàndez Ártime, to the "Ferrante Aporti" juvenile detention facility in Turin have not died down. "I experienced a profound emotion, I was able to understand a little bit what Don Bosco felt when he visited these young people," the Rector Major testified to Vatican News.
(ANS - Turin) - From February 1 to 3, 2023, the Provincial Delegates for Missionary Animation (DIAM) of the Salesian Africa-Madagascar Region gathered for their annual meeting in Valdocco, at the Salesian Motherhouse, to reflect on the situation of missionary animation in various Provinces and Vice-Provinces. The Regional Coordinator for Missionary Animation, Fr. Privat Fouda, animated the meeting with the collaboration of the Missions Sector team. Everyone appreciated that the common path has been clearly progressing; at the same time, challenges remain, especially regarding missionary formation, the accompaniment of Salesian youth, and the involvement of local communities.
(ANS - Piazza Armerina) - In this year dedicated to the reflection and development of the Salesian Family’s lay dimension, it may be interesting to highlight organizations led by lay people who live the charism of Don Bosco in the field; one is the "Don Bosco 2000" Association. It has embraced and used Don Bosco's preventive system in its daily activities, from welcoming migrants reaching Italy to international cooperation, from experience in prisons to the formation of young people in oratories. "For us, Don Bosco represents the guide for responding pragmatically to the needs of the historical time in which we live, allowing us to identify in young people our privileged addressee, in particular the youngest and neediest," explains Cinzia Vella, Director General of the association.
(ANS – Rome) – From Friday 3 to Sunday 5 February, Salesians and lay people in charge of formation in schools in Spain, Italy and Portugal met at the National Youth Pastoral Centre in Rome.
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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Spain – 33rd Edition of the Edebé Prize for Children's and Young Adult Literature: Here Are the Winners(ANS – Madrid) – The 33rd edition of the Edebé Prize for Children's and Young Adult Literature has been awarded to Beatriz Giménez de Ory (Madrid, 1972) for her novel Tres niños tristes y medio unicornio (Three Sad Children and Half a Unicorn) and David Lozano (Zaragoza, 1974) for his novel La cacería (The Hunt).
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.