(ANS – Rome) - Since last 2004 the provincials of Europe came already for the sixth time for their regular biennial meeting with the Rector Major and his council, three days encounter (December 2-4) in Salesianum, Rome. These meetings help to bridge the distance between the two regions and many languages of Europe, to share some good practices and especially to discern some priorities of common journey in Europe.

(ANS - Rome) - In contemporary society ambition and greed are morally accepted as falling within the dog-eat-dog way of thinking whereby oppressing the other for personal success is always rewarded. But can this paradigm be applied to a Salesian? According to our Constitutions, "The Salesian gives himself to his mission with tireless energy, taking care to do everything with simplicity and moderation. He knows that by his work he is participating in the creative action of God and cooperating in building the Kingdom."

(ANS - Rome) - With the official decree No. 16/0426 of 24 November, the Rector Major of the Salesians, Fr Ángel Fernández Artime, with the consent of the General Council, has delegated to his Vicar, Fr Francesco Cereda, the necessary faculties for the animation, care and government of the communities directly dependent on the Rector Major. In the same decree the Rector Major also formed a council - made up by the Bursar General and two other General Councillors, appointed for three years – to assist the Vicar of the Rector Major in carrying out those tasks.

(ANS – Rome) – 22 novice directors from the English-speaking parts of the Salesian world met at the General House in Rome from 20 November to 2 December 2016, for the second seminar organized by the Formation Sector this year. The two seminars are part of an effort to implement the invitation of General Chapter 27 to promote a better understanding of the Salesian consecrated vocation in its two forms.

(ANS - Rome) - "Go forward with courage and without fear! The one who never makes a mistake never does anything!” This is the message with which Pope Francis last Friday 25 November greeted  about 140 religious, representatives of many congregations, gathered in Rome for the 88th General Assembly of the Union of Superiors General (USG). His address was the final act of the Assembly which had taken place over the previous two days at the Salesianum in Rome, on the theme "Go and bear fruit. The fruitfulness of the prophecy."

(ANS - Rome) - "The one who is in error compensates with violence what he lacks in truth and strength," wrote the great German writer Johann Wolfgang Goethe. "Violence is the last refuge of incompetents" said another great writer, Isaac Asimov. Perhaps this is the key to approach the terrible reality of violence against women, on this World Day against violence against women. The use of violence is a sign of weakness.  A cultural change is needed to stem the violence.