(ANS – Rome) – DB Tech Europe APS, a non-profit organisation that unites and coordinates the Vocational Training Centres of Europe and North Africa, has recently joined the VET EVBB network (European Association of Institutes for Vocational Training). This new membership opens up interesting prospects for the future of Salesian vocational training in Europe.
(ANS – Rome) – The 2024 Communication Conference, entitled "shaping tomorrow", will take place from 1 to 7 August 2024 at the facilities of the Pontifical Salesian University (UPS) in Rome. It is an initiative of the Communication Sector of the Salesian Congregation and the Faculty of Social Communication Sciences at the UPS.
(ANS - Rome) - With only a few days left before the initial deadline for short film submissions for the Don Bosco Global Youth Film Festival 2024 (DBGYFF), the world-class Salesian youth film festival, the organizing committee of the DBGYFF has decided to grant an additional week of time: the deadline has been extended, from July 31 to August 7, 2024.
(ANS – Rome) – Last 4 July marked an unprecedented date in the 70-year history of the Salesians in Korea. Fr Guido Garino, SDB, General Secretary in Rome, sent an official document to the Provincial Superior, Fr Won-Cheol Choi, SDB, informing him that the Salesians of Mongolia had come under the jurisdiction of the Korean Province. A long and intensive process, which took several years and involved many different groups (Korea, Vietnam, the Mission Sector in Rome, etc.), had finally reached its goal.
(ANS – Rome) – Bova Marina is preparing to welcome the Rector Major of the Salesians: from Friday 2 to Sunday 4 August 2024, for the 125 years of presence of the Salesians in the locality, Cardinal Ángel Fernández Artime will travel to the Calabrian town to meet young people, visit the places of the Servant of God Bishop Cognata and take part in the liturgical programme that will consecrate the town to Our Lady of the Sea.
(ANS – Rome) – At the end of the General Council's summer plenary session, the Rector Major of the Salesians of Don Bosco, Cardinal Ángel Fernández Artime, announced the theme of the Strenna for 2025, which will be entitled: "Anchored in hope, pilgrims with young people".
PHOTO GALLERY
INTERVIEWS
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Italy – Fr Gildasio Mendes: "Salesians today promote justice, peace and solidarity through social communication"(ANS - Rome) – "Salesians today promote justice, peace and solidarity through social communication". This was stated by the Salesian Congregation's General Councillor for Social Communications, Fr Gildasio Mendes, during an interview conducted by Fr João Carlos Ribeiro and journalist Jocasta Pimentel from "FM Don Bosco" radio station in Fortaleza, in the Province of Recife, Btrazil (BRE), during a break in the "Shaping Tomorrow" World Congress held in Rome from 1 to 7 August 2024. Below is an extensive summary of the interview, the full audio of which was broadcast by the "Tempo de Paz" radio program and the full text of which is available in the Portuguese version of the article.
EDITORIAL
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Myanmar – Tragedy of Innocent Children in the midst of Armed Conflicts(ANS – Naypyidaw) - Myanmar finds itself immersed in profound grief and anguish as innocent lives, particularly those of children, continue to be mercilessly lost in the enduring armed conflicts. Families are left devastated by the tragic loss of their loved ones while the relentless violence shows no signs of abating. This week, a heartfelt plea from Myanmar reached our community, shedding light on the heart-wrenching death of a young girl Juliet in a military airstrike, prompting a unified call for prayers and action.
EVENTS
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Spain – 2024 Pastoral and Theological Updating(ANS – Santiago de Compostela) – The two Provinces of the Salesians of Don Bosco in Spain, Saint James the Greater (SSM) and Mary Help of Christians (SMX), are organising their Theological and Pastoral Updating meetings this year for the second part of July. This is an event that has become traditional, organised by the Formation Delegates of both Provinces, and aimed mainly at cultivating spirituality and ongoing formation among Salesians throughout the country.
SPECIAL REPORTS
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Peru – From dreams to jungle: a spiritual and cultural journey in the unknown Kuyuntsa(ANS - Kuyuntsa) – Several decades ago, young Salesian missionary Luis (Luigi) Bolla left his life in Italy, driven by an inner voice that called him to explore lands unknown to him, but known to God. "You will have to walk a long way, carrying my Word," said the mysterious character who would change the course of his life.
MESSAGES OF THE RECTOR MAJOR
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Between Admiration and PainTHE MESSAGE OF THE RECTOR MAJOR, Cardinal Ángel Fernández Artime
I cordially greet all Don Bosco’s friends who come here with interest. Today, I greet you for the last time from this page. As of August 16, the day on which we commemorate Don Bosco’s birth (August 16, 1815), my service as Rector Major of the Salesians of Don Bosco ends. There’s always a reason to give thanks, always. Thank you! Thank you—to God, above all, to the Congregation and Salesian Family, to so many dear people, and to so many friends of Don Bosco’s charism, many of them benefactors.