(ANS - Rome) - The campaign of humanitarian support due to the emergency in Ukraine continues its silent but daily efforts to meet the most basic needs of those families who, because of the war, seek refuge and accompaniment outside Ukraine. Attention to the real needs of others, generosity, and creativity are the hallmarks of a commitment that continues unabated and without borders.
(ANS - Rome) - Among the recurrences that make May a "Salesian" month, in addition to the celebrations of many saintly figures and the Feast of Mary Help of Christians, there is also the date of May 10, the date on which Don Bosco, in 1884, produced his famous "Letter from Rome," almost a spiritual testament of the Saint of the Young. The reason Don Bosco wrote that famous letter was the danger of the loss of the Salesians' physical presence among the boys, the almost connatural ability to understand their culture, and the transparent, familiar, good love that reveals God and wins them to God. At a time when the whole Congregation is called to deepen the value of the "Salesian sacrament of presence" and accompaniment, it may be useful to go back and reread that Letter, making use of the enlightening contribution that Fr Pascual Chávez, Rector Major Emeritus, offered just over two years ago when he commented on it at the start of the Congregation's 28th General Chapter.
(ANS - Rome) - The Formation Sector team concluded three days of formation and information with the group of Salesians from various regions attending the 37th Edition of the Ongoing Formation Course at the Salesian Pontifical University (UPS) in Rome. This year's group is composed of eleven Salesians from 8 different circumscriptions (ACC, AFC, ANN, ATE, BMA, INC, MEG, MOR) who experienced three moments on the specifics of the Salesian dimension in their experience: on May 10 and 11 at UPS and on May 12 at the Salesian Headquarters.
(ANS - Rome) - Just a dozen days remaining until the Feast Day of Mary Help of Christians, and just three until the beginning of the novena in her honor. Thus, while the entire Salesian world is preparing to live this feast so important for the heirs of Don Bosco - with the hope, this year, of being able to live it again in many parts of the world with popular in-person celebrations and festivities - the preparations for the World Novena promoted by the Salesian Headquarters for all members of the Salesian Family are also advancing at a rapid pace.
(ANS - Rome) - Just enough time to rest for a day or two, and for the Rector Major of the Salesians of Don Bosco it is already time for a new intercontinental journey: Fr Ángel Fernández Artime has in fact already left for Thailand, where this Saturday, May 7, the Spiritual Exercises that he himself will preside over for the Provincial Councils of the Region of East Asia-Oceania shall begin.
(ANS – Rome) – 31 years ago Carlo Acutis was born: Salesian Antonio Cini presents him for Salesian Mission Day 2022 “Communicating Christ Today”.
“All People are born as originals but many die as photocopies.” (Carlo Acutis)
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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GOOD, FAITHFUL, AND COURAGEOUS SERVANTSTHE MESSAGE OF THE VICAR OF THE RECTOR MAJOR, Fr Stefano Martoglio, SDB
During this Jubilee year, in this difficult world, we are invited to rise up, set out again, and, in newness of life, make our journey as human beings and believers.