(ANS – Rome) – Cardinal Ángel Fernández Artime will spend his last Feast of Mary Help of Christians as Rector Major of the Salesians of Don Bosco in the city that has been his home – apart from his many trips – in the last 10 years: Rome. The 10th Successor of Don Bosco will preside over the solemn festive Eucharist at 6 pm (UTC+2) at the Salesian Basilica of Mary Help of Christians in Via Tuscolana, the church which the Holy Father Francis, on 30 September 2023, assigned him as his cardinalate.
(ANS – Rome) – The most awaited Marian feast in the entire Salesian world, the one for Mary Help of Christians, is now approaching, and – as every year – pilgrims from all over the world are preparing to experience it in the church dedicated to her at the Salesian Mother House in Valdocco: the church that Our Lady herself requested from St John Bosco, while assuring him of her maternal protection and blessing: "Hic Domus Mea, Inde Gloria Mea". In the busy program of celebrations on 24 May, the one at 18:30 (UTC+2) stands out, presided over by the Vicar of the Rector Major, Fr Stefano Martoglio, and which will be visible all over the world thanks to ANSChannel.
(ANS – Rome) – When the Salesians of Don Bosco, from Italy and India, arrived in East Africa in 1980, they dreamed of a Shrine of Mary Help of Christians in Nairobi, from where the glory of God would spread. That dream came true in 1994. Today, this beautiful Shrine is a magnificent landmark that punctuates the skyline of the City of the Sun. It is a living church, a place of worship, the abode of God, with about 2,000 Catholics of all ages worshiping here every Sunday.
(ANS – Rome) – We stay in Asia for the third stop among the Salesian shrines dedicated to Mary Help of Christians: from the National Shrine of Parañaque City, in the Philippines, illustrated yesterday, we move today to South Asia, to be precise to India, where the shrine at Matunga, near Mumbai, also known among the locals as the Shrine of "Don Bosco’s Madonna" is located.
(ANS – Rome) – On the second leg of the journey to discover the churches dedicated by the Sons of Don Bosco to Mary Help of Christians, attention goes to the national shrine erected in Parañaque City, Philippines: a spiritual centre that has been a driving force behind devotion to “Don Bosco’s Madonna” throughout the country.
(ANS – Rome) – Don Bosco 's devotion to Mary Help of Christians found one of its highest forms in the construction of the Shrine dedicated to her at Valdocco: a sign of Don Bosco's gratitude to Our Lady, of entrusting the Salesian work to her intercession, and above all of fulfilling the will of Mary, who had expressly requested this work from Don Bosco in one of his famous dreams. But Don Bosco's devotion was later embodied in many other similar works throughout the world, and today there are several churches and basilicas dedicated to the Help of Christians. In view of the annual celebration of the Feast of Mary Help of Christians on 24 May, we present some of these churches, real homages to the Don Bosco's Madonna, starting with the one in the Eternal City.
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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RMG - St. Francis de Sales Communicator: All for Love(ANS – Rome) - The figure of St. Francis de Sales, chosen by Don Bosco as an example of a communicator, teaches that communication is a matter of the heart. In his expression, "Everything in the Church is love: everything lives in love, for love, and of love," we understand his revolution in the way of communicating, and how communication becomes fruitful when it allows communion and the exchange of one's experiences in a path of accompaniment and collaboration in God's project.
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."