(ANS - Rome) - Yesterday, Thursday 23 January, the General Council of the Salesian Congregation met for the last time in this six-year term, and, at the conclusion of the meeting, the Rector Major, Fr Ángel Fernández Artime, presided over the last Mass of this General Council. "During this last celebration in Don Bosco's rooms," he said, "it comes directly from my heart: to thank God for these six years of work in the service of God and young people."
Rome, Italy - January 2020 - On January 24, the Salesian Cardinal Cristóbal López Romero, Archbishop of Rabat, on the occasion of his visit to the Salesian HQ in Rome, presided over the Eucharist for the feast of St. Francis of Sales in the St Joseph community chapel, concelebrated by Fr Ángel Fernández Artime, Rector Major of the Salesians, and by his Vicar, Fr Francesco Cereda. During the homily, the Salesian cardinal invited the Salesians to "imitate the apostolic zeal of Saint Francis de Sales".
(ANS – Rome) – In view of the 28th General Chapter of the Congregation, the Salesians of Don Bosco convene a Press Conference to illustrate the different realities in which they operate throughout the world and what the strengths and challenges, new opportunities and risks for the Congregation in today's social and ecclesial context are. The invitation to journalists and media is for Thursday 23 January, 11:00 am, at the Salesian Central Office, "Sacro Cuore" house, in Rome.
Rome, Italy - January 2020 – A historical day, 14 January, due to the extraordinary visit of the Rector Major, Fr Á.F. Artime, with the whole General Council of the Salesian Congregation, to the international community of student priests at the Roman Pontifical University; its Director and the entire community wished to express their gratitude to the confreres who have guided and animated the whole Congregation in this six-year term now drawing to its conclusion.
(ANS - Rome) - On January 9, Pope Francis received members of the Diplomatic Corps accredited to the Holy See, which also includes the Economer General of the Salesian Congregation, Salesian brother Jean Paul Muller. We met with him to ask about his experience in the Diplomatic Corps and what it means to him, as a Salesian, to be part of it.
(ANS - Rome) – On Tuesday 14 January, during the General Council's winter plenary session, the Rector Major, Fr Á.F. Artime, with the consent of his Council, appointed Fr Fernando García Sánchez as Provincial of the “Spain - St James Major” for the 2020-2026 term.
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.