(ANS – Rome) – After five years of dedicated and attentive service as Representative of the Salesians of Don Bosco to the United Nations (UN), Fr Thomas Pallithanam has in recent weeks handed over to his Indian confrere Fr Mathew Thomas Panamkattu, who will replace him in this delicate and relevant position. On the occasion of this natural succession, the General Councillor for Youth Ministry, Fr Miguel Angel García Morcuende, has published a letter in the quarterly information bulletin of the Salesian representation at the UN, in which he pays tribute to Fr Pallithanam's service and takes the opportunity to recall the nature and significance of the Salesian action in protecting the weakest at international decision-making and institutional levels.

(ANS – Rome) – Following the announcement of the theme of the Rector Major's Strenna for 2024, preparations are already underway at Salesian Headquarters to ensure that the message of the 10th Successor of Don Bosco for the bicentenary year of the "dream at 9 years of age" is conveyed in the most effective and fascinating way possible. That is why the Social Communication Sector, led by Fr Gildasio Mendes, is launching an invitation to all illustrators, designers and graphic centres to create the Strenna poster for 2024, and to represent the evocative message in images: "The dream that makes you dream". A heart that transforms "wolves" into "lambs".

Rome, Italy – July 2023 - On July 27, 2023, an agreement was signed between the Salesian Observatory for the Rights of Minors, in the person of Prof. Andrea Farina, and the Salesian Congregation, in the person of Fr Miguel Angel García Morcuende, General Councillor for Youth Ministry, aimed at guiding the process on the Child Safeguarding policies of the Salesians of Don Bosco worldwide. At the end of the process, which involves the prior recognition of the documentation received at the Salesian Headquarters from the Provinces around the world, guidance guidelines will be prepared for the Salesians of Don Bosco aimed at systematically indicating the risk contexts and reporting mechanisms from the perspective of the preventive system. Fr Rafael Bejarano Rivera, Reference person for Social Works in the Youth Ministry Sector – Headquarters, will also accompany the process.

(ANS – Rome) – In 2024, the Salesian Family around the world will celebrate the second centenary of the dream that the young John Bosco – the future Don Bosco – had in 1824, at the age of nine. In fact, it is well known in the Salesian Family as "the dream at nine years of age". For this reason, the Rector Major of the Salesians of Don Bosco, Father and Centre of Unity for the Salesian Family, decided to dedicate the theme of Strenna for 2024 to this dream, and as is the case every year, at the end of the summer plenary session of the General Council he announced the motto that will inspire it: "The dream that makes you dream". A heart that transforms "wolves" into "lambs".

(ANS – Rome) – Monday, 24 July 2023, was the last day of work for the General Council in the summer plenary session, one that we might dare describe as  “historical” since it was inevitably marked by the news of the appointment of the Rector Major, Fr Ángel Fernández Artime, as Cardinal. On this Monday evening it was precisely the Rector Major who shared the information on the last two months of work, through the message of the "Salesian good night" to the community at Valdocco.

(ANS – Rome) - From a simple beginning, Don Bosco’s undertakings with the young men and boys of the Oratory in Valdocco became more complex as workshops for printing, shoemaking and metal-work were added.He gradually formed his helpers into an Association which he called the union or congregation of St Francis de Sales. The volunteers who taught the various trades, assisted at church functions and ran the outdoor activities, lived at home with their families, while still engaging in the work of the Oratories. These were what he called the “extern” salesians and included some zealous priests, devout lay people, noblemen and women, some mothers (including his own), benefactors and promoters.