(ANS – Fatima) – The second day of the 9th International Congress of Mary Help of Christians was marked by intense moments of reflection, sharing and prayer. The participants experienced a rich and varied programme that included conferences, testimonies, cultural visits and moments of deep spirituality.
(ANS – Fatima) – The third day of the International Congress of Mary Help of Christians was marked by moments of intense spirituality, the sharing of impactful testimonies and artistic expressions that moved the participants. A highlight was the recitation of the rosary and the candlelight procession, presided over by Bishop Maksym Ryabukha, Auxiliary Bishop of Donetsk, Ukraine.
(ANS – Fatima) – The 9th International Congress of Mary Help of Christians has come to an end. On the last day of the meeting, the highlights were the message from the Vicar of the Rector Major, Fr Stefano Martoglio, and the closing Eucharist, which celebrated the unity and faith of the Salesian Family.
(ANS – Madrid) – Hundreds of athletes have taken part during the month of May, or since the end of April, in various solidarity races in honour of Mary Help of Christians, whose liturgical celebration took place on 24 May. There are many Salesian presences organising night cross-countries, popular races or children's races encouraging the educative and pastoral communities and the Salesian Family to run for different solidarity causes.
Buenos Aires, Argentina – May 2024 - The 107th pilgrimage to the Shrine of Mary Help of Christians in Fortín Mercedes, south of the province of Buenos Aires, was celebrated under the motto "With Mary in prayer we are mission". The shrine is an expression of gratitude to Mary for the evangelising activity in Patagonia, land of Don Bosco's dreams. The pilgrimage of the local communities took place on Friday 24 May , from the railway station in Pedro Luro to the Shrine where the Eucharist was celebrated at 5 pm. The pilgrimage was joined by many children, members of the 45th Battalion of the Argentine Explorers of Don Bosco, the musical band, teachers and students from educational communities, the FMA and pastoral agents at the Shrine. On Saturday 25th, pilgrims from different places, including Mar del Plata, arrived at the Shrine. At 5 pm the Eucharist was celebrated, entrusting Mary, patroness of Argentine agriculture, with the care of the homeland. At 7 pm, young people and educators from the educational communities in Bahía Blanca arrived and made a 30 kilometre pilgrimage on foot. The image of Mary Help of Christians was brought from the Shrine to welcome them. A solemn Eucharist was celebrated on Sunday 26th, the feast of the Most Holy Trinity.
(ANS – Rome) – Even after the Feast of Mary Help of Christians, the series of in-depth studies dedicated to the most famous shrines dedicated to Don Bosco's Madonna throughout the world continues. Today we present the church dedicated to her in the Almagro district of Buenos Aires, Argentina.
PHOTO GALLERY
INTERVIEWS
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RMG – The missionaries of the 155th Salesian Missionary Expedition: Mouzinho Domingos Joaquim Mouzinho, from the Mozambiqueice-Province (MOZ) to Albania (AKM)(ANS – Rome) – Not only priests or aspirants to the priesthood: the missionaries who left with the 155th Salesian Missionary Expedition also include Mouzinho Domingos Joaquim Mouzinho, who will travel from Mozambique to Europe to be a missionary in the new Provincial Delegation of Albania, Kosovo and Montenegro (AKM), belonging to the Province of Southern Italy (IME). Following the example of the Venerable Simon Srugi, his dream is to be a sign and bearer of the love of God to the young.
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 – The chapel of the relics at the Basilica of Mary Help of Christians in Turin celebrates 90 years and celebrates them with an exhibition on the Shroud(ANS – Turin) – Again this year, on 14 September, on the occasion of the liturgical feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross and the day of the Opening of the Crypt, the Shrine of Mary Help of Christians in Turin hosted an evening dedicated to the Shroud, as part of the "Culture in the Basilica" exhibition, entitled "The Shroud: witness of great love".
SPECIAL REPORTS
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United States – World Teachers’ Day: Salesian Missions highlights support for Salesian educators around the globe(ANS – New Rochelle) - Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco, joins humanitarian organizations and countries around the globe in honoring World Teachers’ Day, which has been celebrated each year on Oct. 5 since 1994. The day honors the vital role that teachers play in the lives of their students and commemorates the anniversary of the signing of the 1966 ILO/UNESCO Recommendation concerning the Status of Teachers.
MESSAGES OF THE RECTOR MAJOR
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On WINGS of HOPETHE MESSAGE OF THE VICAR OF THE RECTOR MAJOR, Father Stefano Martoglio
While continuing my service as Vicar in the coming months, quietly, very simply, and completely in continuity, I’ll replace the Rector Major in leading the Congregation to the General Chapter, the 29th, in February 2025.