(ANS – San Salvatore Monferrato) – Cardinal Ángel Fernández Artime, Rector Major of the Salesians of Don Bosco, on Sunday, 30 June 2024, was in San Salvatore Monferrato in the diocese of Casale Monferrato, in Piedmont, to remember Salesian Father Carlo Evasio Cavalli, a native of the town of Monferrato, who was the spiritual father of Salesian Brother Artemides Zatti, proclaimed a saint on 9 October 2022. On the occasion, the 10th Successor of Don Bosco, and since last April 20 also Titular Archbishop of Ursona, led a rich program of activities culminating in the dedication of the Via Crucis Way to Saint Artemides Zatti located at the Shrine of the Madonna del Pozzo.
(ANS– Rome) – The last video in the series "It is Time for Chapter 28", with which Cardinal Ángel Fernández Artime, Rector Major of the Salesians of Don Bosco, illustrated the eight Action Guidelines delivered after the 28th General Chapter, will be made public on Wednesday, 26 June 2024, from 1 pm Italian time (UTC+2). In this last episode, the guideline entitled: "Accompanying young people towards a SUSTAINABLE FUTURE" will be examined.
(ANS – Rome) – The 2024 Thanksgiving Celebration for the Rector Major was a true festivity of fraternity and sharing. In the beautiful setting of the Salesian community "San Callisto" near the catacombs of St. Tarcisius on the Appian Way in Rome, the Salesians of the Central Salesian Headquarters – and beyond – expressed their gratitude towards the 10th Successor of Don Bosco for his 10 years of service to the Congregation and the Salesian Family. They also honored their confreres celebrating significant anniversaries of profession or ordination this year.
Rome, Italy - June 2024 - On Monday 24 June, the traditional Feast of Thanksgiving for Don Bosco and his Successors at the head of the Salesian Congregation was renewed for the 154th time. The Feast of Thanksgiving 2024 had its own evident special features that made it even more special than usual: first of all, it was once again celebrated in Rome, after the two years of celebrations in Turin. Secondly, and even more so, because it represented the last Thanksgiving Feast for Ángel Fernández Artime, 10th Successor of Don Bosco, Rector Major of the Salesian Congregation since March 2014 and created Cardinal in September 2023. He will receive a new appointment from the Holy Father Francis next August. Several Sons of Don Bosco of the community, who are celebrating their respective jubilee anniversaries this year, were also honoured.
(ANS – Rome) – On Monday, 24 June 2024, the traditional Feast of Thanksgiving for Don Bosco and his Successors at the head of the Salesian Congregation was renewed for the 154th time. The celebration came about spontaneously on 24 June 1870, the feast of the Nativity of St John the Baptist – considered to be the namesake feast of St John Bosco – with gestures of gratitude from the first past pupils of the Oratory at Valdocco, who wanted to show their affection to their Father, Teacher and Friend, with homages and symbolic gestures.
(ANS – Rome) – In view of the next General Chapter of the Salesian Congregation (GC29 – 16 February - 12 April 2025), and a few days before the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, the international Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in Rome has organised a study day entitled "Passionate about Jesus Christ, dedicated to young people". This is the first of two events that will involve some 20 Salesians invited to reflect on the theme of GC29 from a theological, spiritual, youth and cultural point of view.
PHOTO GALLERY
INTERVIEWS
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Portugal – Interview with the Rector Major of the Salesians, Cardinal Ángel Fernández Artime(ANS – Fatima) - During his visit to Portugal for the National Day of the Salesian Youth Movement and the Pilgrimage of the Salesian Family to Fatima, Cardinal Ángel Fernández Artime, Rector Major of the Salesian Congregation, gave a brief interview to the Salesians in Portugal, in which he talks about the importance of young people in the Salesian charism, the current challenges of the Congregation and its prospects for the future.
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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Italy – Study conference: "The lengthy term of governance of an educational institute 1881-1924"(ANS – Rome) – A study conference called "The lengthy term of governance of an Educational Institute 1881-1924" was held in Rome at the General House of the Sisters. It was promoted by the Institute of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians (FMA) and the "Auxilium" FMA Study Centre of the Pontifical Faculty of Educational Sciences, on Saturday, 8 June 2024, aimed at exploring the figure of Mother Catherine Daghero (1856-1924), FMA. A figure of great importance and significance for the FMA Institute – of which she was Mother General for 43 years, from the age of 25 until her death – but little known within the Salesian Family itself.
SPECIAL REPORTS
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United States - World Youth Skills Day: Salesian Missions highlights educational initiatives(ANS – New Rochelle) - Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco, joins humanitarian organizations and the international community in celebrating World Youth Skills Day, celebrated on July 15 each year since 2014. The United Nations designated the day as a way to bring greater awareness of the importance of technical and vocational education and training, as well as the development of other skills relevant to both local and global economies.
MESSAGES OF THE RECTOR MAJOR
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WHEN AN EDUCATOR TOUCHES HIS CHILDREN’S HEART— OR THE ART OF BEING LIKE DON BOSCOTHE MESSAGE OF THE RECTOR MAJOR, Cardinal Ángel Fernández Artime
The art of being like Don Bosco: “Remember that education is a matter of the heart, of which God alone is the master, and that we can achieve nothing unless God teaches us the art and hands us the key” (The Biographical Memoirs of Saint John Bosco, XVI, 376).