(ANS - Rumia) - On Saturday, May 6, 2023, the National Congress of the Polish Association of Mary Help of Christians (ADMA) began in Rumia. The event kicked off with the unveiling of the miraculous picture of Mary Help of Christians of Rumia, accompanied by a Hail Mary uttered with the fervor of all participants, which recalled the first Hail Mary uttered by Don Bosco with Bartolomeo Garelli in Turin. Among the many guests, of note was the presence of members of various groups of the Salesian Family, welcomed by Mrs. Katarzyna Majda, president of the ADMA of the Province of North Poland (PLN), based in Piła.
(ANS - Turin) - The Solemnity of Mary Help of Christians in the Basilica dedicated to Her in Turin in this year 2023 is marked by the initiative of Marian Saturdays: "Saturday Evenings for Women": these are three evenings, beginning next May 13, aimed at exploring three different feminine dimensions: the strength of women, the courage of women, and the beauty of women.
(ANS – Rome) – The Novena to Mary Help of Christians begins today, Monday 15 May. It will accompany many consecrated and lay people of the Salesian Family on their spiritual journey towards this annual celebration that was so dear to Don Bosco. For those who wish to go on this journey together with the Father and Center of Unity of the Salesian Family, Fr Ángel Fernández Artime, the videos of this Worldwide Novena are being made available on the different language channels of ANSChannel and on TELEGRAM SDB.ORG, starting from yesterday. They will be uploaded gradually each day until the eve of the feast day.
(ANS - Rome) - The tradition of the World Novena to Mary Help of Christians (May 15-23), promoted by the Salesian Central Headquarters and of relevance for all members of the Salesian Family who intend to adequately prepare for this recurrence, is renewed again this year. The videos and accompanying booklets for Novena 2023 will be made available online in the coming days, while the presentation video can already be viewed as of today, Thursday, May 4.
(ANS – Stony Point) – Don Bosco had two very important women in his life: his earthly mother, Mamma Margaret, the heart of the Preventive System, and his heavenly mother, Mary Help of Christians, the heart of his work with the young, the poor, and the founding of the Congregation. A few years after his priestly ordination and the fragile beginning of his work with poor boys that would become the Oratory, our beloved founder had a follow-up to his dream at nine.
(ANS - Rome) - The terrible reality of the war, with violence, bombings and thousands of people fleeing; but also the hidden and silent miracles that took place for so many simple people, the constant presence of Mary Help of Christians, and the zeal of a shepherd for his suffering flock. All this was concentrated in the "good night" thought that a few days ago Bishop Maksym Ryabukha, SDB, auxiliary bishop of the Donetsk Exarchate, offered to the Salesians at Salesian Headquarters in Rome.
PHOTO GALLERY
INTERVIEWS
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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
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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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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
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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
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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).