(ANS – Rome) – It is certainly a fact, and we are very grateful for it, that there is an intimate link between devotion to the Help of Christians and our salesian vocation. It is not difficult to demonstrate this in Don Bosco: from the beginning as in the dream at Becchi at the age of nine, to the end as in the dream at Barcellona in 1886; from the catechism classes begun with Bartholomew Garelli, to the way in which he obtained the approval of the Constitutions of the Society of St Francis of Sales; from the intimate conviction of Don Bosco expressed on so many occasions, to the extremal sign of the wonderful works he accomplished. But the origins are only the first fruits of the total reality.
(ANS - Rome) - Can we speak of an “originality” in our devotion to the Help of Christians which, in our desire to enter whole-heartedly into the Marian movement of the present day, should lead us to emphasize and develop certain characteristic aspects that emerge as distinctive of this devotion?
(ANS – Rome) – Why is it still important to spread devotion to Our Lady? Some Argentine educators, in May 2018, answered this question by presenting Mary Help of Christians and her relevance today.
(ANS – Rome) – As often happens with saints, Don Bosco looked at the history of everything from God's perspective. With his eyes fixed on heaven, he never took his feet off the ground.
(ANS – Rome) – One of the most important legacies that Don Bosco left to the Salesian Family is devotion to Mary Help of Christians. Countless schools, chapels, squares and neighbourhoods around the world bear her name. Millions of children, older youth and adults gather around the Virgin and are sheltered beneath her mantle. Although the devotion existed before, it was Don Bosco who made it popular all over the world and left it as an example, for protection and encouragement.
The date of May 24, the day on which the Feast of Mary Help of Christians will be celebrated, is approaching. It was the first Christians in Greece, Egypt, Antioch, Ephesus, Alexandria and Athens who called the Blessed Virgin Mary by the name "Help of Christians."
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.