Joinville, Brazil - May 2020 - On May 24, on the occasion of the feast day of Mary Help of Christians, the Salesians who pastorally assist the "St Anthony" parish of Joinville organized a motorcade, a Marian procession, in which over 2,000 cars participated for a total of about 8,000 people. Participants strictly followed the security protocols in place to combat COVID-19. During the 48 km route, the vehicle carrying the image of Mary Help of Christians went through 15 neighborhoods, collecting numerous manifestations of faith from people on the street or in their homes.
Lubumbashi, D.R. Congo - May 2020 - On May 24, the provincial house of the Central African Province (AFC) celebrated the feast day of Mary Help of Christians with an online Mass, presided over by the Provincial, Fr Albert Kabuge. During the celebration, Fr Kabuge spoke of how the Salesian Family was able to follow the novena of Mary Help of Christians created by the ANS Agency every day, with the words of the Rector Major, and recite the rosary. On May 15, in gratitude for the protection from the coronavirus, a painting of Mary Help of Christians was blessed.
Turin, Italy - May 2020 - In 1854 Don Bosco announced to his boys that cholera would arrive in Turin and would unleash chaos; and yet, he added: “But you must remain calm, if you do what I say, you will be free from danger... Live in the grace of God; bring a medal of the Blessed Virgin, pray...” After 166 years, in similar circumstances, the Help of Christians continues to accompany and protect us and always remains at our side.
(ANS - Turin) - "Our Lady of difficult times": this is the definition that yesterday, Sunday 24 May, the Rector Major, Fr Ángel Fernández Artime, offered in the homily delivered during the Eucharist dedicated to young people for the Feast of Mary Help of Christians, celebrated in the Basilica of Mary Help of Christians in Turin-Valdocco.
(ANS – Turin) – The feast day of Mary Help of Christians occurs next Sunday, 24 May. Normally the feast day in Turin has always been marked by many celebrations and an evening procession among the city's most heartfelt and participatory. But this year, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the party will be "special" and it will become even more important to be able to participate while staying "at a distance". Here is the live broadcast/streaming schedule:
(Rome, 20 May 2020) - The feast day of Mary Help of Christians occurs next Sunday, 24 May. Normally the feast day in Turin has always been marked by many celebrations and an evening procession among the city's most heartfelt and participatory. But this year, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the party will be "special" and it will become even more important to be able to participate while staying "at a distance". Here is the live broadcast/streaming schedule:
PHOTO GALLERY
INTERVIEWS
-
RMG – Interview with Fr Francisco Lezama, Provincial of Uruguay(ANS – Rome) – Fr Francisco Lezama was born in the city of Montevideo on 11 September 1979. He got to know the Salesians in the Salesian work of Las Piedras, where he took part in youth groups and parish activities.
EDITORIAL
-
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
-
Spain – 2024 Pastoral and Theological Updating(ANS – Santiago de Compostela) – The two Provinces of the Salesians of Don Bosco in Spain, Saint James the Greater (SSM) and Mary Help of Christians (SMX), are organising their Theological and Pastoral Updating meetings this year for the second part of July. This is an event that has become traditional, organised by the Formation Delegates of both Provinces, and aimed mainly at cultivating spirituality and ongoing formation among Salesians throughout the country.
SPECIAL REPORTS
-
Solomon Islands – Salesian presence in the country(ANS – Honiara) – The presence of Don Bosco has reached every continent in the world. We can say that only Antarctica is missing, and even in the islands of Oceania the Salesian charism, which is well adapted to the different cultures and traditions, is spreading.
MESSAGES OF THE RECTOR MAJOR
-
WHEN AN EDUCATOR TOUCHES HIS CHILDREN’S HEART— OR THE ART OF BEING LIKE DON BOSCOTHE MESSAGE OF THE RECTOR MAJOR, Cardinal Ángel Fernández Artime
The art of being like Don Bosco: “Remember that education is a matter of the heart, of which God alone is the master, and that we can achieve nothing unless God teaches us the art and hands us the key” (The Biographical Memoirs of Saint John Bosco, XVI, 376).