(ANS – Rome) – Ten years of gifts from Salesian "Strennas". Ten years in which the world has changed while remaining the same. Or rather, human beings, their thoughts, doubts and passions are always the same. The Rector Major of the Salesians, Successor of Don Bosco, writes a pastoral letter every years that is called "strenna", because as St John Bosco wanted and began to carry out, it is a gift.
(ANS - Rome) - On Friday 22 March, the day on which the Borgo Ragazzi Don Bosco concluded its 75th anniversary celebrations, Cardinal Ángel Fernández Artime, Rector Major of the Salesians, Don Bosco's 10th successor, met with the boys and the entire community of the “Borgo Ragazzi Don Bosco”.
Perosa Argentina, Italy – March 2024 – On 19 March, Cardinal Ángel Fernández Artime, Rector Major of the Salesians of Don Bosco, presided over the Eucharist that concluded the jubilee year for the 270th anniversary of the parish church of Santa Maria Assunta in Pinasca. On the occasion, Cardinal Ángel Fernández Artime went to the cemetery in Perosa Argentina to pay tribute to three deceased Salesian priests: Fr Emilio Galliano and brothers Frs Pietro (Peter) and Luigi Zago, in the presence of their families. The Rector Major also paid tribute to Sister Ausilia Lussana Perosina, FMA, who died at a young age.
(ANS – Turin) – Among the skills with which Don Bosco was able to educate was the Strenna, that message that he announced at the end of the year to all the young people of the Oratory. His successors continued this tradition. The most recent of them by Cardinal Ángel Fernández Artime, for the 2024 Strenna, "The dream that makes you dream. A heart that transforms ‘wolves’ into ‘lambs’", was inspired by the famous dream that young John Bosco had at the age of nine, exactly 200 years ago.
(ANS - Vatican City) - Fr Giuseppe Costa, SDB, Co-spokesperson of the Salesian Congregation, edited the book "Chiamati all’amore con speranza. Strenne salesiane di don Ángel Fernández Artime” (Called to Love with Hope: Salesian Strennas of Fr Ángel Fernández Artime), which collects in a single volume, strenna messages and quotes from the Rector Major of the Salesians of Don Bosco, created a Cardinal by Pope Francis in 2023.
THE MESSAGE OF THE RECTOR MAJOR, Card. Ángel Fernández Artime, SDB
When reflecting on all this, I feel I have a little authority to say: “Dear Don Bosco, your Dream is still VERY ALIVE.”
PHOTO GALLERY
INTERVIEWS
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Italy – Fr Gildasio Mendes: "Salesians today promote justice, peace and solidarity through social communication"
(ANS - Rome) – "Salesians today promote justice, peace and solidarity through social communication". This was stated by the Salesian Congregation's General Councillor for Social Communications, Fr Gildasio Mendes, during an interview conducted by Fr João Carlos Ribeiro and journalist Jocasta Pimentel from "FM Don Bosco" radio station in Fortaleza, in the Province of Recife, Btrazil (BRE), during a break in the "Shaping Tomorrow" World Congress held in Rome from 1 to 7 August 2024. Below is an extensive summary of the interview, the full audio of which was broadcast by the "Tempo de Paz" radio program and the full text of which is available in the Portuguese version of the article.
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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Spain – 2024 Pastoral and Theological Updating
(ANS – Santiago de Compostela) – The two Provinces of the Salesians of Don Bosco in Spain, Saint James the Greater (SSM) and Mary Help of Christians (SMX), are organising their Theological and Pastoral Updating meetings this year for the second part of July. This is an event that has become traditional, organised by the Formation Delegates of both Provinces, and aimed mainly at cultivating spirituality and ongoing formation among Salesians throughout the country.
SPECIAL REPORTS
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Peru – From dreams to jungle: a spiritual and cultural journey in the unknown Kuyuntsa
(ANS - Kuyuntsa) – Several decades ago, young Salesian missionary Luis (Luigi) Bolla left his life in Italy, driven by an inner voice that called him to explore lands unknown to him, but known to God. "You will have to walk a long way, carrying my Word," said the mysterious character who would change the course of his life.
MESSAGES OF THE RECTOR MAJOR
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Between Admiration and Pain
THE MESSAGE OF THE RECTOR MAJOR, Cardinal Ángel Fernández Artime
I cordially greet all Don Bosco’s friends who come here with interest. Today, I greet you for the last time from this page. As of August 16, the day on which we commemorate Don Bosco’s birth (August 16, 1815), my service as Rector Major of the Salesians of Don Bosco ends. There’s always a reason to give thanks, always. Thank you! Thank you—to God, above all, to the Congregation and Salesian Family, to so many dear people, and to so many friends of Don Bosco’s charism, many of them benefactors.