(ANS - Vatican City) - In the end, a mission so important and delicate could only be entrusted to Mary Help of Christians: the Madonna of Don Bosco, the Virgin that Pope Francis paid homage to every 24 of the month since even as a bishop in Buenos Aires, and above all, the title to which the millions of Catholics in China are more closely linked. On the occasion of the Provisional Agreement between the Holy See and the People's Republic of China, and at the conclusion of his pastoral letter to the faithful in China, Pope Francis delivers this further step of rapprochement between the Vatican and Beijing to the care of the Celestial Mother.
(ANS - Cordoba) - The statue of Mary Help of Christians of Cordoba was carried in procession through the city streets last Saturday, September 22. It was an extraordinary transport, which wanted to commemorate the first centenary of the blessing and consecration of the shrine bearing the same name. Yet, this statue of the Virgin worshiped by the Salesians in Cordoba is older than the shrine itself, since it was blessed a few years earlier.
Serralunga di Crea, Italy - September 16, 2018 - Last Sunday, more than 200 members of ADMA Primaria and of Piedmont gave birth to a pilgrimage to the Marian shrine of Crea nel Monferrato, a site Don Bosco visited with his boys on October 10, 1861. With this pilgrimage the associative and formative journey of a special year was officially begun, which will see ADMA experiencing two major events: the 150th year of its foundation, on April 18, 2019, and the celebration of the 8th International Congress of Mary Help of Christians in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on 7-10 November, 2019; its theme: "With Mary, a woman believer."
(ANS – Rome) – The 8th International Congress of Mary Help of Christians, an event of the Salesian Family promoted by the Association of Mary Help of Christians (ADMA), in agreement with the Salesian Family Secretariat and the Salesian Family of Argentina, will be held in Buenos Aires (Argentina) from 7 to 10 November 2019.
(ANS - Dagupan City) - On 22 August, the Catholic Church celebrates the feast of the Blessed Virgin Mary Queen all over the world. On this occasion, in the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in Dagupan City, Philippines, the canonical coronation of the statue of Mary Help of Christians was held. The celebration was presided over by the Apostolic Nuncio of the Philippines, Archbishop Gabriele Giordano Caccia.
São Paulo, Brazil - 5 August 2018 - The Association of Mary Help of Christians (ADMA) of the State of Sao Paulo has held three retreats in the past few months to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the consecration of the Basilica of Mary Help of Christians in Turin. The last retreat saw the participation of about 50 people and took place on August 5th in Sao Paulo.
PHOTO GALLERY
INTERVIEWS
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Belgium – Isaac Kimeli, Past Pupil of the Don Bosco Institute in Hal, Olympic athletics finalist: "My past has made me who I am today"(ANS – Hal) – Belgian athlete Isaac Kimeli has competed in two Olympic finals in Paris: the 5,000 and 10,000 metres. In the first, he ranked eighth, in 13'18″10. Isaac arrived in Belgium at the age of 15 and was welcomed by the Salesians in Hal, near Brussels. In an interview with Don Bosco Magazine, he reviewed his career and his time at the Salesian school.
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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Brazil – 22nd National Meeting of Schools of the Salesian Network Brazil and 15th National Meeting of Local Economers(ANS – Brazil) – The 22nd National Meeting of Schools of the Salesian Network Brazil (ENARSE) and the 15th National Meeting of Local Economers (ENEL) took place online on 28 and 29 August. The event brought together the leaders of the schools and Provinces of the Salesian Network Brazil (RSB), with the aim of promoting ongoing formation in the managerial, pedagogical, pastoral, communicative and administrative-financial dimensions to strengthen the Salesian Educational Mission in the Network.
SPECIAL REPORTS
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Peru – From dreams to jungle: a spiritual and cultural journey in the unknown Kuyuntsa(ANS - Kuyuntsa) – Several decades ago, young Salesian missionary Luis (Luigi) Bolla left his life in Italy, driven by an inner voice that called him to explore lands unknown to him, but known to God. "You will have to walk a long way, carrying my Word," said the mysterious character who would change the course of his life.
MESSAGES OF THE RECTOR MAJOR
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Between Admiration and PainTHE MESSAGE OF THE RECTOR MAJOR, Cardinal Ángel Fernández Artime
I cordially greet all Don Bosco’s friends who come here with interest. Today, I greet you for the last time from this page. As of August 16, the day on which we commemorate Don Bosco’s birth (August 16, 1815), my service as Rector Major of the Salesians of Don Bosco ends. There’s always a reason to give thanks, always. Thank you! Thank you—to God, above all, to the Congregation and Salesian Family, to so many dear people, and to so many friends of Don Bosco’s charism, many of them benefactors.