(ANS - Rome) - Today, Dec. 18, 2022, the entire Salesian Congregation remembers when, exactly 163 years ago, on Dec. 18, 1859, Don Bosco founded the "Pious Society of St. Francis de Sales" in Valdocco, Turin, with 17 members in addition to the founder. And it is precisely on this anniversary that the Rector Major, Fr. Ángel Fernández Artime, launches his missionary appeal to all his confreres to emphasize that since its foundation the missionary spirit and commitment are and have been essential elements of the Salesian Congregation.
(ANS - Rome) - As part of the work of the General Council last Dec. 13, the Rector Major of the Salesians, Fr. Ángel Fernández Artime, with the consent of his Council, confirmed Fr. Reinhard Gesing as Provincial Superior of the "St. Boniface" Province of Germany (GER) for a second six-year term (2023-2029).
(ANS - Rome) - As part of the work of the General Council last Dec. 14, the Rector Major of the Salesians, Fr. Ángel Fernández Artime, with the consent of his Council, confirmed Fr. Eunan McDonnell as Provincial Superior of the "St. Patrick" Province of Ireland (IRL) for a second six-year term (2023-2029).
(ANS - Rome) - The Rector Major of the Salesians of Don Bosco, Fr. Ángel Fernández Artime, in the framework of the General Council meeting, and with the consent of the other members of the Council, has appointed Fr. Gianpaolo Roma as the new Superior of the "Don Michele Rua" Province of Southern Italy (IME), for the 2023-2029 term.
THE MESSAGE OF THE RECTOR MAJOR, Don Ángel Fernández Artime
This year more than ever before, we realize the truth of these words of Isaiah: “The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: to them that dwelt in the land of the shadow of death, light is risen.”
(ANS – Rome) - The Rector Major, Rev. Fr Ángel Fernández Artime, the 10th Successor of Don Bosco on 14 December 2022 nominated Rev. Fr Don Bosco LOURDUWAMY as the provincial designate of the Salesian Province of St Thomas the Apostle, Chennai (INM). Fr Bosco will be succeeding Fr Jose Kochamkunnel (KM) who has been serving as Provincial since February 2017. The Salesian Province of Chennai is a large and vibrant Province with 415 confreres working in 51 houses in the State of Tamil Nadu, the Union Territory of Pondicherry, and the Islands of Andaman and Nicobar in India. It has also one house at Fujairah in the United Arab Emirates.
PHOTO GALLERY
INTERVIEWS
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RMG - Preparation, objectives, challenges and perspectives of GC29: in dialogue with the Moderator, Fr Alphonse Owoudou(ANS - RMG) - Just a few days before the beginning of the 29th General Chapter (GC29) of the Salesian Congregation, Fr Alphonse Owoudou, Councillor for the Africa-Madagascar Region and Moderator of GC29, recounts in detail, through an articulate interview, the work preceding and underlying this responsibility, indicating the spirit that will animate it and the attitudes and conditions to make it truly a Cenacle in which the Holy Spirit can act, for the benefit of the Congregation, the Salesian mission and the youth of the world.
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."