(Rome, February 9, 2024) – The Strennas that Fr Ángel Fernández Artime, Rector Major of the Salesians of Don Bosco, now Cardinal, has produced and disseminated in his 10 years at the head of the Salesian Congregation (2014-2024) are the subject of a publication by his Secretary and spokesperson, Fr Giuseppe Costa. The collection is entitled "Called to Love with Hope" and in the introduction among other things states, the authoritative contributions of journalist Enzo Romeo, professor of the Theological Faculty of Sicily Massimo Naro, and sociologist Cecilia Costa, of the University of Roma Tre, who, from their point of view, make a transversal reading of the volume.
The tradition of the Strennas by the Rectors Major of the Salesian Congregation represents a special element of Don Bosco's legacy. In the Salesian context, the Strenna is a symbolic and significant gift offered by the Rector Major – the Superior General of the Congregation – to those who share the Salesian mission in the world. It is usually offered at Christmas time, between Christmas and New Year, to inspire the pastoral care for the following year.
In addition to offering readers the full texts of the messages of the Strennas offered by the 10th Successor of Don Bosco, the book includes posters created by the Salesian Info Agency (ANS) on the occasion of the annual publication of the individual Strennas, and is also enriched with some other photos, provided by ANS and by "IME Comunications", relating to trips, visits, meetings and moments in the life of Ángel Fernández Artime.
On Thursday, 29 February 2024, the book will be presented at the Maria Santissima Bambina Institute, at Via Paolo VI, Rome, during an event that can also be followed remotely by watching the live stream available on YouTube.
The presentation will begin at 5:30 p.m. (UTC+1), with an introduction by Fr Giuseppe Costa, editor of the volume. Speeches will then be given by Valentina Alazraki, Vatican Journalist, correspondent for "Televisa" (Mexico); Roberto Cipriani, Professor emeritus of Sociology, University of Roma Tre; Marco Girardo, Director of "Avvenire"; and Arianna Rotondo, Professor of History of Christianity and the Churches, University of Catania and Card. Ángel Fernández Artime, Rector Major of the Salesians. The moderator of the presentation will be Luca Caruso, Journalist, Press Officer of the "Joseph Ratzinger-Benedict XVI Vatican Foundation".
Genzano di Roma, Italy - February 2024 - From 7 to 10 February, the World Formation Council, convened by Fr Ivo Coelho, General Councillor for Formation, is held in Genzano di Roma to verify the progress of the Sector since the last General Chapter to date. The seven Regional Formation Coordinators and the heads of the Regional Centres for Ongoing Formation, present in Nairobi (Kenya), Quito (Ecuador) and Bangalore (India), are taking part. The participants are discussing the six-year planning of the Rector Major and his Council following the 28th General Chapter, the challenges posed by Artificial Intelligence to initial and ongoing formation paths, and the verification of the processes initiated by the Sector in this sexennium. The presence of Fr Stefano Martoglio, Vicar of the Rector Major, made it possible to reflect on the causes of confreres leaving from the Congregation, in order to encourage suitable paths to guard one's vocation every day. The dialogue with a group of young Salesians from the "Zeffirino Namuncurá" community in Rome UPS favoured an interpretation of the Congregation's journey from their young experience. The summary of the work will be a contribution to the report on the state of the Congregation that will be presented at GC29.
The Message of the Rector Major, Cardinal Angel Fernandez Artime, SDB
Encounters on Epiphany with amazing people who have good hearts and luminous faith
(ANS – Rome) – "From the apostolic letter Maximun Illud (1919) to the Council decree Ad Gentes (1965)" is the theme of the International Conference promoted by the Salesian Historical Institute (ISS) in Rome, in collaboration with the Faculty of Theology of the Pontifical Salesian University on the occasion of the 150th anniversary of the Salesian missions (1875-2025). The event will take place on 2-3 May 2025 on the campus of the same University. There are numerous contributions offered by scholars, Salesians and non-Salesians from various parts of the world.
(ANS – Rome) – After the conclusion of the Animation Visit to the Province of Brazil-Recife, Cardinal Ángel Fernández Artime does not immediately return to Salesian Headquarters, but continues his trip to America: from Wednesday 7 to Monday 12 February 2024 he will carry out a new Animation Visit, this time to the St John Bosco Province of the Antilles (ANT).
(ANS - Rome) – To commemorate the feast of Don Bosco, Cardinal Ángel Fernández Artime, Rector Major of the Salesians, gave an interview to the journalist Fabio Marchese Ragona from the MediaSet group, in front of the Basilica of St. Peter at Vatican. Topics such as young people, the Congregation, Don Bosco, the Church, the role of the laity, life of witness, his own personal vocational story as a Salesian... etc., featured during the conversation. The interview was broadcast on Sunday, 28 January 2024 on the Italian TV channel TGCOM24, as part of the "Stanze Vaticane" (From the Rooms of Vatican) column.
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."