(ANS - Rome) - Preparatory activities for the "Don Bosco Global Youth Film Festival" (DBGYFF) - Season 2, the world-class Salesian youth film festival conceived and proposed by the Sector for Social Communication of the Salesian Congregation, are proceeding at a rapid pace. On this monthly commemoration of Mary Help of Christians, 24 March 2023, the coordination team of the festival informs widely about the state of progress of the work: all the processes are well underway, the digital portal is completed in all sections and languages, the digital registration module to participate is already available. But, above all, the atmosphere is cordial and enthusiasm is high on the part of everyone: Salesians, young people and members of the Salesian Family.
(ANS – Rome) – The Salesian Advisory Board at the world level is making strides in promoting Salesian Mission Volunteering within the Salesian Congregation. Over a year ago, the Advisory Board met in Valdocco to create a strategic plan with the objective of promoting SMV at the congregation level. This plan has four main goals: developing spaces where collaboration can happen, providing formation, and accompanying the different stakeholders while effectively promoting SMV as an advisory board.
(ANS - Rome) - Following up on the indications issued by the Rector Major, Fr. Ángel Fernández Artime, at the end of the 28th General Chapter, the Social Communication Department is currently engaged in the project of renewing the communication document of the Salesian System of Social Communication (SSSC). The objective of this new document is to renew and broaden the vision and management of communication on Social Communication. This document follows a line of in-depth study that enhances the Congregation's heritage and tradition, from Don Bosco to the present day, and gives continuity to the processes and practice of communication.
In a major and extensive work, between 2021 and 2022, about 150 people collaborated to prepare the Instrumentum Laboris, a text with all the suggestions provided by Communication Delegates, their teams, and several communication experts. As of February 2023, a team has been working on the document’s final draft.
"The new text aims to compile the assets, practice, and experience of the Salesian Congregation in the area of communication," explains Fr. Gildasio Mendes, General Councilor for Social Communication, in the interview given for the presentation of this document.
(ANS - Rome) - The year 2025 is approaching, the year in which the Congregation will celebrate and commemorate an event so fruitful for so many young people around the world: the 150th anniversary of the first Salesian Missionary Expedition (Turin, Nov. 11, 1875). For this occasion, there will be many initiatives at the local, provincial and congregational levels. Among them, one starts today, March 22, 2023: a contest is open to design a logo that can be used for this special occasion. All Provinces can participate through the Delegates for Missionary Animation, in collaboration with the Delegate for Social Communication and related lay people and graphic designers.
RMG - March 2023 - In order to continue coordinating the work of the Provincial Delegates for Social Communication and animate them in their task, those responsible for communication in the Provinces of the Mediterranean Region met online on March 16. Sponsored by the Social Communication Sector of the Salesian Congregation, the meeting was led by Fr. Gildasio Mendes, General Councilor for Social Communication, and Fr. Maciej Makuła, member of the Social Communication Sector. In the meeting, each of the Delegates was able to present the most significant initiatives being carried out in their respective provinces in this field. Among other things, activities related to the formation of communication teams, projects for a greater presence in social networks and the coordination of the presence of the Provinces in digital environments were shared. On behalf of the Sector for Social Communication, the Delegates were thanked for their work and the upcoming events presented, such as the World Meeting of Directors of the Salesian Bulletin, to take place in Valdocco from April 21 to 25, 2023, and the International Conference on Communication in Rome at the Salesian Pontifical University from August 1 to 7, 2024.
THE MESSAGE OF THE RECTOR MAJOR Don Ángel Fernández Artime, SDB
The day after the great solemnity of St. John Bosco was a very special morning. I had obtained the permits to enter the Ferranti Aporti Penitentiary Institute for Minors (IPM) in Turin, at one time called the Generala.
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."