(ANS - Rome) - On Dec. 8, the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of Mary, the Salesians also celebrate the beginning of their educational and pastoral work under the leadership of Don Bosco. On that day in 1841, in fact, the founder of the Salesians met Bartolomeo Garelli in the sacristy of the church of St. Francis of Assisi in Turin: a meeting that marked the beginning of the Pious Society of St. Francis de Sales, founded on a deep devotion to the Virgin Mary and on a pedagogy aimed at taking the neediest minors off the street, under the banner of the indications that Don Bosco himself received in the 9-Year-Old Dream: "Not with blows, but with kindness and charity."
(ANS - Rome) - In the long months of work leading up to the official release of the Strenna message for the New Year, the Sector for Social Communication, at the request of the Rector Major, Fr. Ángel Fernández Artime, contacted various social communication centers and graphic designers from various parts of the world to come up with their proposals for the poster that accompanies the message. Although, as is well known, the official posters have already been identified in the two options elaborated by the Office of Social Communication of the Province of Portugal and by the Spanish graphic designer Agustín de la Torre, the Rector Major himself has pronounced himself to allow the digital dissemination of the other proposals received, all of which are capable of conveying, in different forms and styles, the motto chosen for 2023: "AS THE YEAST IN TODAY'S HUMAN FAMILY. The lay dimension in the Family of Don Bosco."
(ANS - Rome) - In anticipation of the liturgy of Saint Artemide Zatti on November 13th, the Agency iNfo Salesiana is glad to relaunch those published news items on the subject, which serves as a 'diary' of the canonization of the Saintly Infirmarian.
(ANS - Rome) - In the constant quest to offer its readers an ever-better service that meets their expectations, the Salesian iNfo Agency (ANS), the communication organ of the Salesian Congregation, makes a short questionnaire available online that gives everyone the opportunity to express themselves to evaluate what has been done so far and to suggest new proposals.
(ANS – Rome) – To prepare ourselves for Christmas, the Youth Ministry sector at headquarters is proposing an Ecological and Spiritual Advent Calendar for everyone: four weeks of reflection and action on four themes that will lead us to live a more authentic Christmas, in harmony with ourselves, with others, with the Creation and with God.
(ANS - Rome) - The second illustration for the poster of Strenna 2023 shows one hundred personages rich in details and expressions and is the work of the Spanish artist Agustín de la Torre, Salesian Cooperator and teacher. The author demonstrates a strong desire to reflect in his artistic work all the fruitfulness and extension of the Work of Don Bosco in the world, in harmony with the proposal of the Rector Major, Fr Ángel Fernández Artime, for the theme of the Strenna 2023: "AS THE YEAST IN TODAY’S HUMAN FAMILY. The lay dimension in the family of Don Bosco”.
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."