(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.
(ANS – Rome) – On 10th December 2016, the Rector Major, Fr. Ángel Fernández Artime SDB, with the consent of his Council, has nominated Rev. Fr. Antony Joseph SDB, 52, as the new provincial for the Province of “Annai Velankanni”, Tiruchy, India (INT) for the six-year period 2017-2023.
(ANS – Turin) – December 8 2016: this day is memorable for the Salesian Family because Don Bosco had written of December 8, 1841 as the beginning of his work on behalf of the needy youth.
(ANS – Rome) – An exhibition to inform and sensitize on the consequences of Ebola, now that the world fear of the epidemic is over, was held in these days at the General House of the Salesians in Rome, after it had been launched about 7 months ago in Madrid. It is the photo-exhibition “Ebola beyond Ebola” (Ébola, más allá del Ébola) prepared by Alfons Rodríguez and sponsored by the Salesian Missionary Procure of Madrid.
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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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."