(ANS – Rome) – "Hope is a dimension of faith and can give meaning to daily life. We must make people understand the value of a life lived from the perspective of a project to be carried out with others and among these a friendly, personal and merciful God." This is how Fr Joseph Costa, co-spokesperosn of the Salesian Congregation, spoke on the day commemorating Saint John Bosco, whom the Pope invited his audience during the General Audience to imitate, "educating young people in the faith and forming them in various fields of knowledge and professions, for a better future, in which humanity can enjoy peace, brotherhood and tranquillity".
(ANS – Roma) – The “novena” of Don Bosco’s dreams proposed by ANS in this bicentenary year of the Dream at Nine Years of Age ends today, 31 January, on the feast day of the Father and Teacher of Youth. While the dream of the 10 diamonds contained an unequivocal warning, this other vision of Don Bosco seems to assure his sons of a rosy future, always provided that they continue on the path indicated by Providence through their founder, following his timeless legacy. This is the so-called dream of the “triumph of the Congregation” (Biographical Memoirs, 1881, XII, 337-338).
(ANS – Rome) – 31 January 2024, besides being the Feast of Don Bosco, completes a year since the new publication, the “Bollettino Salesiano OnLine” was launched as a wish of the Rector Major. Over this time, this magazine, distributed only online and presented in seven languages, Italian, English, Spanish, Portuguese, French, Polish and German, has been enriched with many articles and materials and has been strengthened in its commitment to contribute to the knowledge and dissemination of the Salesian charism.
Rome, RMG - 31 January 2024 - The Salesian Congregation's Sector for Social Communication, on the occasion of the feast of St John Bosco, has made videos in several languages that present 20 graphics on some of the most famous sayings of Don Bosco. The videos are available on ANSChannel's language channels, on YouTube.
(ANS – Roma) – A perennial warning for the Salesian Congregation and for all its sons, never to lose sight of what should be the characteristics and attitudes in their actions to please God and serve our brothers and sisters: this is how Don Bosco interpreted another of his most famous dreams, that of the ten diamonds (Biographical Memoirs XV, 148-151), which took place in September 1881: on the eve of the feast of Saint John Bosco, in this Bicentenary year of the dream at nine years of age, we are presenting it once more below.
(ANS - Rome) - Don Bosco, a man of prayer and action, not only laid the foundations of an immense movement of people who throughout the centuries have dedicated themselves to the salvation of the young, but he also left all his spiritual children a great wealth of useful indications for never losing one’s way. Between what he used to say and what was later picked up and witnessed or heard by his contemporaries, and what he wrote himself, there are pages and pages of aphorisms that in a clear-cut and memorable style still offer valid directions for a beautiful, meaningful and holy life.
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."