(ANS - Rome) - “The technical means will facilitate our meeting, but what unites us strongly is the great spiritual network of the living Salesian spirit among us all. And we are united by the message of hope that today's Don Bosco, Fr Ángel, addresses to us with this year's Strenna.” With these words, the Central Delegate of the Rector Major for the Salesian Family, Fr Joan Lluís Playà, introduced the activities of the XXXIX edition of the Spirituality Days of the Salesian Family.
Rome, Italy - The Spirituality Days of the Salesian Family 2021 took place from 15 to 17 January, which shed light on the message of the Rector Major's Strenna for 2021: "Moved by hope: See, I am making all things new" (Rev 21,5)". As already mentioned, this year the Days were held online and, despite the great geographical distances, the time zone differences and the linguistic challenges, the Salesian Family showed great communion and closeness and transformed a difficulty into a opportunity.
(ANS - Rome) - An illustrated book, which constitutes a valid reminder for the whole Salesian Family of the great work that has been done to respond to the coronavirus pandemic, especially in the first six months after its outbreak; and also a tribute to the heroes and martyrs of this work and a sign of appreciation for the numerous people and organizations who have collaborated with so many institutions of the Salesian Family. This is the meaning of the book which, under the patronage of the Salesian Missions Sector, is currently being published: “One Father, One Family. Don Bosco Solidarity in COVID times”.
(ANS - Rome) - The long wait on the part of thousands of followers and spreaders of Don Bosco's charism is over: the Salesian Family Spirituality Days 2021 start today, Friday 15 January. In a new way, but always under the guide of Don Bosco's Successor, Fr Ángel Fernández Artime, it will shed light on the message of the Strenna for 2021: "Moved by hope: 'See, I am making all things new' (Rev 21,5)".
(ANS - Rome) - Next week a video interview will be available, with related animation material, which helps to illustrate the second part of the text “Animating and Governing the Community - The Ministry of the Salesian Rector”.
(ANS - Rome) - On the occasion of the Venerability of the Servant of God Ignazio Stuchlý, decreed by Pope Francis on 21 December 2020, the Rector Major, Fr Ángel Fernández Artime, wrote a letter to his Salesian confreres and members of the Salesian Family entitled: "The Venerable Ignatius Stuchlý, a man moved by hope", underlining the "testimony of a man and a consecrated person who in very difficult situations and times knew how to live with hope and evangelical strength".
PHOTO GALLERY
INTERVIEWS
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RMG - Preparation, objectives, challenges and perspectives of GC29: in dialogue with the Moderator, Fr Alphonse Owoudou(ANS - RMG) - Just a few days before the beginning of the 29th General Chapter (GC29) of the Salesian Congregation, Fr Alphonse Owoudou, Councillor for the Africa-Madagascar Region and Moderator of GC29, recounts in detail, through an articulate interview, the work preceding and underlying this responsibility, indicating the spirit that will animate it and the attitudes and conditions to make it truly a Cenacle in which the Holy Spirit can act, for the benefit of the Congregation, the Salesian mission and the youth of the world.
EDITORIAL
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RMG – Don Bosco: “The Fascinating Saint”(ANS - Rome) - Don Bosco is perhaps the most amazing and fascinating saint, history has ever produced. The humble work which he began for the welfare of his poor and abandoned boys in Italy has produced astonishing results, and today there are nearly 14000 Salesians working in 138 countries, and there are more than 200,000 members belonging to the 32 groups of the worldwide Salesian Family sharing the charism of Don Bosco and reaching out to the needy young people.
EVENTS
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Spain – 33rd Edition of the Edebé Prize for Children's and Young Adult Literature: Here Are the Winners(ANS – Madrid) – The 33rd edition of the Edebé Prize for Children's and Young Adult Literature has been awarded to Beatriz Giménez de Ory (Madrid, 1972) for her novel Tres niños tristes y medio unicornio (Three Sad Children and Half a Unicorn) and David Lozano (Zaragoza, 1974) for his novel La cacería (The Hunt).
SPECIAL REPORTS
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United States – CATHOLIC WORLD DAY OF THE SICK: Salesian Missions highlights medical programs for people in need around the globe(ANS – New Rochelle) – Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco, joins Catholic organizations around the globe in honoring the Catholic World Day of the Sick. Every year on Feb. 11, the Pope marks the day with a special message calling for spiritual and physical closeness to all those who are ill. Saint John Paul II instituted the day “to encourage the people of God, Catholic health institutions and civil society to be increasingly attentive to the sick and to those who care for them.”
MESSAGES OF THE RECTOR MAJOR
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GOOD, FAITHFUL, AND COURAGEOUS SERVANTSTHE MESSAGE OF THE VICAR OF THE RECTOR MAJOR, Fr Stefano Martoglio, SDB
During this Jubilee year, in this difficult world, we are invited to rise up, set out again, and, in newness of life, make our journey as human beings and believers.