(ANS – Rome) – In the world there are over 5.000 indigenous peoples and spoken indigenous languages are more than 4.000. According to “Amnesty International”, about 370 million people in the world, spread over 70 different countries, are considered indigenous. Persons who must fight against discrimination and to claim their rights, because they are oftentimes treated as second-class people. For all of them, and in order to throw a light on their condition, the 9th of August is the International Day of the World’s Indigenous People, that this year is devoted to the right to education.
(ANS – Rome) – “The Rector Major could not let the Jubilee Year of Mercy pass without helping us to deeply tune in with the whole Church. He invites us to welcome the grace of this great ecclesial event and to discover the fruits of mercy that the Salesian charism can bring”. Thus writes Fr. Cereda, the Vicar of the Rector Major, on the Letter of the Rector Major “Merciful like the Father” (AGC 423).
(ANS - Rome) - At the end of the summer session of the General Council, one of the most important issues was the revision of the Provincial Chapters. The Vicar General, Fr Francesco Cereda, sent a letter to all the Provinces and Vice-Provinces in which he expresses thanks for the work of all the Salesians. He writes: "We are pleased with the work that the provinces have done and we thank them for that. For us, this study has been challenging, but we are aware that this will help in the growth of the charism of Don Bosco wherever we are present."
(ANS - Rome) - As usual, at the end of the summer plenary session of the General Council, the Rector Major, Fr Ángel Fernández Artime, during the traditional "Good Night" Talk, informed the Salesians of the General House about the work done during the past two months.
(ANS – Rome) – Tuesday 19th July a picture of Fr Tom Uzhunnalil has been posted on Facebook. Fr Tom had been abducted on March 4th in Aden, in Yemen.
Rome, Italy - July 2016 - The 11th World Assembly of VIDES (International Voluntary Women Education and Development) ended on 18 July at the Salesianum. There were about 150 participants - young people and Daughters of Mary Help of Christians from 34 countries. Also present were Mother Yvonne Reungoat, Superior General of the FMA, Fr Ángel Fernández Artime, Rector Major of the Salesians, and members of the FMA and SDB Councils. Vides was founded by the FMA in 1991 and at present there are 209 groups engaged in volunteer service with the FMA in 42 countries worldwide.
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."