(ANS - Rome) - As usual on May 24, the feast of Mary Help of Christians, every year draws in Turin Valdocco the attention of several thousands of pilgrims devoted to the “Don Bosco’s Virgin”, together with various personalities of the Salesian Family. Many events are scheduled, from the more traditional ones, such as numerous celebrations and the popular processions on May 24th, up to very special events, such as the annual meeting of the World Consultative Body of the Salesian Family, which starts just today, Monday, 22 May.
Turin, Italy - In 1911, on the initiative of some Salesian past pupils, the idea came to erect a monument to Don Bosco in the square in front of the Basilica of Mary Help of Christians at Valdocco, to mark the centenary of the birth of the founder of the Salesians which would fall in 1915. The work was to be inaugurated on 16 August, 1915, but because of the First World War the inauguration was postponed until 1920, although the statue was already in place on 23 June 1916.
Six scenes are depicted in the base supporting the statue highlighting devotion to Mary Help of Christians.
(ANS - Santa Julia) - The Rector Major, Fr Ángel Fernández Artime, led a pilgrimage to the Basilica in Guadalupe on Thursday 11 May and celebrated Mass at the feet of the "Morenita of Tepeyac", the Virgin of Guadalupe.
We are family and Mary help of Christians is our attentive and consoling mother. She took don Bosco by the hand and takes ours also to guide us along the paths of this world.
(ANS - Rome) - It is now over 10 months since Fr Thomas Uzhunnalil SDB was kidnapped in Yemen. From the beginning, the Congregation and the Salesian Family were incessantly urged to pray for his release. Now, trusting in the intercession of the Mother of the Saviour, they invite everyone to include this special intention in the novena to Mary Help of Christians from 15 to 23 January in preparation for the monthly commemoration on 24 January 2017.
(ANS - Rome) - On May 11th, 1928, the General Economer of the Salesians, Fr. Fedele Giraudi, presented to Pope Pius Pio XI the plans of the new vocational schools that would have been named after him. The Pope asked: “Are you not thinking of building a Church next to these new schools?” The General Economer answered: “Yes, Your Holiness, but at a later stage”. The Pope then added: “No, no, not at a later stage, but simultaneously, and I will give you the first stone for the Church we will dedicate to Saint Mary Help of Christians”. The style is that of Renaissance Roman churches. The work was completed in 1964.
PHOTO GALLERY
INTERVIEWS
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RMG – The missionaries of the 155th Salesian Missionary Expedition: Guy Roger Mutombo Mutshi, from the Vice-Province of Africa Congo Congo (ACC) to the Province of Southern Italy (IME)(ANS – Rome) – The final word from the new Salesian missionaries comes from Congolese Guy Roger, a missionary in the Province of Southern Italy. "My plans and dreams for my missionary life are to live in communion of spirit and action with my Salesian brothers in IME for the salvation of poor and abandoned young people, according to the heart of Don Bosco and to the greater glory of God".
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 reform of Technical and Vocational Education at the heart of the debate: a comparison on the development of the vocational chain and the 4+2 model(ANS - Rome) - Over 2.1 billion euro will be invested in 2023 for training and labour policies, of which 70%, 1.4 billion, will be earmarked for vocational training and 30%, 640 million, for active labour policies. These are the figures that will be presented next Thursday, 14 November 2024, at the ‘Sala Zuccari’ at Palazzo Giustiniani in Rome, during the annual seminar organised by the Centro Nazionale Opere Salesiane-Formazione e Aggiornamento Professionale (CNOS-FAP) and the PTSCLAS consultancy firm ‘on vocational training and employment policies.
SPECIAL REPORTS
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The Philippines – LAF Cebu: New Technology into Youth Ministry(ANS – Cebu) – Today’s youth ministry faces many challenges and new opportunities in connecting with young people, especially now that technology influences almost every aspect of life. Despite these challenges, digital tools like AI, Adobe, and Canva provide ministry leaders with easier ways to engage, inspire, and organize in creative and meaningful ways. By integrating these technologies, youth ministries can stay relevant and relatable, fostering connections in a language that today’s youth understand.
MESSAGES OF THE RECTOR MAJOR
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OUR ANNUAL GIFTTHE MESSAGE OF THE VICAR OF THE RECTOR MAJOR,
Fr Stefano Martoglio, SDBTraditionally as a Salesian Family, we receive the Strenna every year - a gift at the beginning of the year. I hold it dear to look inside this gift with these few lines so as to welcome it as it deserves, without losing anything of the freshness of the gift.