Lubumbashi, D.R. Congo - May 2022 - A pilgrimage in honor of Mary Help of Christians of the Salesian Family of the Salesian Province of Central Africa (AFC) was held in Lubumbashi on Sunday, May 22. An atmosphere of prayer, devotion, and joy of finding each other as sons and daughters of Mary Help of Christians, two years after the COVID-19 pandemic, characterized the pilgrimage. Young and old walked 6.5 km while praying the Rosary, animating and singing songs dedicated to Mary.
(ANS - Rome) - The World Novena to Mary Help of Christians promoted by the Salesian Headquarters concludes today, Monday, May 23. Each day's videos, available in multiple languages, have each recorded thousands of views on the various digital channels used, a sign of a universal devotion that transcends the Salesian Family and expands throughout the world. Tomorrow, the day of the liturgical feast, the eyes of all those who venerate Our Lady with the title of Help of Christians will be fixed on Valdocco and on that basilica built for "Our Lady of difficult times" by her greatest apostle, Don Bosco.
Next May 24 will mark the feast day of Mary Help of Christians, an anniversary particularly awaited by Salesians and members of the Salesian Family around the world.
(ANS - Rome) - Just a dozen days remaining until the Feast Day of Mary Help of Christians, and just three until the beginning of the novena in her honor. Thus, while the entire Salesian world is preparing to live this feast so important for the heirs of Don Bosco - with the hope, this year, of being able to live it again in many parts of the world with popular in-person celebrations and festivities - the preparations for the World Novena promoted by the Salesian Headquarters for all members of the Salesian Family are also advancing at a rapid pace.
On April 12, 1846, Easter Sunday, the Tettoia Pinardi was inaugurated, which was to become the small chapel where Don Bosco's activities were concentrated in the early years. On September 2 of the same year, Don Bosco purchased a papier-mâché statue of Mary Our Lady of Consolation (popularly known as the Consolata), Patroness of Turin.
(ANS - Rome) - On the occasion of the Feast Day of Mary Help of Christians 2022, the videos and booklets accompanying the World Novena to Mary Help of Christians (15th-23rd May) promoted by the Salesian Headquarters shall be made available to all members of the Salesian Family who intend to prepare themselves adequately for this event.
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.