(ANS - Rome) - St. John Bosco, a communicator saint, was also himself the object of media attention: proof also comes from the numerous photos that were taken of him, at a time when it was already uncommon to be the object of a single shot, let alone many. Of Don Bosco, the first saint in history to be photographed, on the other hand, there are many photos, as many as 42. Among his contemporaries, only Garibaldi and the first King of Italy, Victor Emmanuel II, had more. But such a large number of photos, coupled with the still primordial techniques of the photographic instrument, have led to the emergence of various faces of Don Bosco, not all of them perfectly corresponding to each other: what then, is the real face of Don Bosco?
(ANS - Rome) - Interview with the General Councilor for Social Communication, Fr. Gildasio Mendes. The publication of the series of articles by Fr. Gildasio Mendes, General Councilor for Social Communication, on the theme "Don Bosco and digital and virtual reality" continues. In the contribution proposed today, the Feast Day of St. Francis de Sales, the focus is on the Valdocco Oratory: virtual reality and "immersion," a new way of communicating. On January 24 we celebrate with the whole Church the feast day of St. Francis de Sales, patron saint of Catholic journalists and writers, titular and patron of the Society of St. Francis de Sales. To give even more meaning to this occasion, we interviewed Fr. Gildasio Mendes, General Councilor for Social Communication, who states: "The Bishop of Geneva and Doctor of the Church was one of the great communicators of the Church and of humanity because he knew how to put the person at the center of the human relationship, listening, dialoguing and creating trust in the relationship with people."
(ANS - Rome) - Once again this year, on the feast day of St. Francis de Sales, the Salesian Missions Sector is launching Salesian Mission Day with the theme "Care of Creation, Our Mission." In keeping with current events, the care of our Common Home and all aspects related to it is placed at the center of the priorities of today's man and woman, particularly today's Christian. This work is the result of collaboration between the Salesian Missions Sector and the Youth Ministry Sector, a sign of the current relevance of the topic for everyone, no one excluded.
(ANS - Rome) - As part of the work of the General Council’s winter plenary session, the Rector Major of the Salesians, Fr. Ángel Fernández Artime, with the consensus of the other General Council members, appointed Fr. Fernando Miranda Ustero as the next Provincial Superior of the Salesian Province of Spain-Mary Help of Christians (SMX).
RMG - The Don Bosco oratory in Valdocco: virtual reality and "immersion," a new way of communicating
(ANS - Rome) - The publication of the series of articles by Fr. Gildasio Mendes, General Councilor for Social Communication, on the theme "Don Bosco and digital and virtual reality" continues. In the contribution proposed today, the Feast Day of St. Francis de Sales, the focus is on the Valdocco Oratory: virtual reality and "immersion," a new way of communicating.
(ANS - Rome) - The influence of St. Francis de Sales on Don Bosco was also manifested in the Youth Saint's great passion for communication. He expressed it with the means of his times, but in all its forms, developing it from beginning to end: from the elaboration of texts to their printing and dissemination. All and always to spread the Good News and work in the service of youth.
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."