(ANS - Rome) - "We cannot forget our origins and our charismatic identity". This is the loud and clear call that the Rector Major of the Salesians, Fr Ángel Fernández Artime, sends to all the provinces and to the Salesians in the world. It is an invitation to missionary generosity, so that no obstacle may get in the way of those who generously feel called to live the Salesian vocation in the peculiar form "ad gentes, ad exteros, ad vitam."
(ANS – Rome) – Last December 15th, during the plenary winter session of the General Council, the Rector Major, Fr. Ángel Fernández Artime, with the consent of his Council, appointed as new Superior of the Province “St. John Bosco” of East Africa (AFE) Fr. Simon Asira Lipuku, who will perform his task in the six-year period 2017-2023.
(ANS – Rome) – It is over 150 years that the Salesians of Don Bosco consider minors as the active holders of rights and look in each one of them for the positive potentialities that must bloom through education. However, all over the world there are millions of Unaccompanied Minor Refugees (UMR), one of the categories that are more at risk of violence, exploitation and violation of their rights. On the occasion of the International Migrants Day, that is celebrated on December 18th, Don Bosco International presents some guidelines so that the Salesian work with these minors may always be qualified and respectful of their specific exigencies.
(ANS – Rome) – On December 15th, 1966, Pope Paul VI promulgated the decree of venerability of Fr. Andrea Beltrami SDB. The anniversary was particularly remembered both in his hometown, Omegna, and in the Salesian house of Turin-Valsalice, where he spent great part of his Salesian life and where he died in 1897.
(ANS – Rome) – In the context of the works of the winter plenary session of the General Council, the Rector Major, Fr. Ángel Fernández Artime, with the consent of his Council, appointed Fr. Wilfried Wambeke SDB, aged 61, as the new Superior of the Province “St. John Berchmans” of Belgium North (BEN).
(ANS – Rome) – The works of the General Council, now busy with the winter plenary session, continue at a tight schedule. The Rector Major, Fr. Ángel Fernández Artime, and the members of the Council, are called to deal with the appointment of 12 new Provincials and the evaluation on the Extraordinary Visitations that have been carried out recently, as well as to accompany the Provincials that have recently been appointed and who are now present at the General House to attend a specific formation course dedicated to them. Diverse other issues concerning the life of the Congregation will also be taken into account.
PHOTO GALLERY
INTERVIEWS
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Chile – Former Salesian student in the fight against Alzheimer's disease(ANS - Santiago) - Dr Nibaldo Inestrosa, graduate of the Salesian Institute in Valdivia and national prize of Natural Sciences winner, is a pioneer and expert in the study of Alzheimer's disease in the country. In this interview, he offers an insight into the current challenges, but not before reflecting on his formative experience at the Salesian Institute in Valdivia and how this influenced his interest in biology and science.
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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India – INS youth solemnise Don Bosco’s Feast Day with ‘Ka Sur Kynud S-3’ Grand Finale(ANS – Shillong) – The Youth of St John Paul II, Shillong Province, celebrated the Feast Day of St. John Bosco with the Grand Finale of “Ka Sur Kynud, Season 3.” Organised by Don Bosco Media Network Television, the Social Communication Department of the Province, at Don Bosco Youth Centre, Laitumkhrah, Shillong, this two-month-long singing competition, which imitates the global singing competition The Voice, concluded on 31 January 2025, coinciding with the Solemnity of St John Bosco.
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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WHAT A GIFT TIME IS!THE MESSAGE OF THE VICAR OF THE RECTOR MAJOR,
Fr Stefano Martoglio, SDBThe beginning of the new year is illuminated in our liturgy by the ancient formula with which the Israelite priests blessed the people: "May the Lord bless you, and keep you. May the Lord show His face to you, and have mercy on you. May the Lord turn His countenance to you, and give you peace."