(ANS – Brussels) – Don Bosco International (DBI) is excited to share its guidelines for planning study visits at the European Union headquarters in Brussels. These visits are an exceptional opportunity for schools, vocational training centres and youth organisations to connect young people with the main European institutions, making European citizenship a tangible and engaging experience. The guidelines were designed by the DBI, in collaboration with TGS Eurogroup, with the sole purpose of providing all the tools to organise study trips independently.
(ANS – Altamira) – More than a thousand people gathered on 16 November to celebrate the 130th anniversary of the arrival of the Salesians in Venezuela. The day began in the Don Bosco Church in Altamira, where the Salesian community paid a moving tribute to the Salesians who were pillars in establishing the Province. This event was an opportunity to pray and thank God for the first seven Salesians who arrived in the country, as well as to honour the memory of recently deceased Salesians.
(ANS – Vatican City) – A millennial and a student, both saints during the Jubilee. Carlo Acutis and Pier Giorgio Frassati, models and points of reference for the faith of thousands of young people around the world, will be canonised next year: Acutis during Adolescent Day, scheduled from 25 to 27 April, Frassati on Youth Day, which will be from 28 July to 3 August. Pope Francis announced this on 20 November at the end of the General Audience, eliciting thunderous applause in St Peter's Square crowded with thousands of faithful sheltering under umbrellas.
Nicaragua – November 2024 - Saturday 9 November the Salesian Cooperators (ASC) from the two local centres in Nicaragua met to celebrate their Happy Death Retreat, an annual event filled with reflection and fraternity. This activity was convened by Fr Foster Cerda, SDB, National Delegate of the Association, and brought together the ASC from the Margarita Breast Centre in Masaya and the Don Bosco Youth Centre in Managua, together with some Aspirants. During this meeting everyone shared significant moments, motivated by the desire to strengthen the mission and plan the work of the Association in their respective cities. New ways to encourage vocations were also explored. The Exercise for a Happy Death, led by Fr Cerda, who energetically and creatively challenged the participants to set goals and spread new seeds to promote vocations, which will allow them to renew and grow together. The meeting culminated with some concluding words by Carolina Castillo.
Chhota Udepur, India – November 2024 – On 17 November at Don Bosco in Chhota Udepur, in the Gujarat region, the Association of the Past Pupils of Don Bosco in the Salesian Province of Mumbai organised an animation programme for Young Past Pupils (YPP). The activity was conducted by Mr Ketan Gala, Regional Councillor for Past Pupils for the Asia-Oceania region. The event involved the active participation of the units from Makarpura, Snehalaya, Dakor, Kawant, Chhota Udepur and Alirajpur, with about 82 young participants. Fr Donald Fernandes, Pravin Agarwal, Madan Nair and the members of the Executive Committee were also present.
Goma, DR Congo – November 2024 - On 20 November, 120 final year students from Don Bosco Ngangi College, at Ngangi's Salesian work, took part in an ecology awareness session. The event, organised by the management of the structure with the material support of ACTEC, aimed to raise awareness among young people about the need to protect the environment and promote sustainable ecological practices. Under the theme "Ecological education for a sustainable future", this initiative is part of an approach to promoting environmental education, with the aim of preparing students to become agents of change for a more environmentally friendly future. The session facilitator, Fidèle Kitsa, an environmental expert, guided the students through crucial information while promoting a concrete commitment to the protection of nature. At the end of the meeting, the containers were distributed to students to encourage them to adopt rational waste management, both in classrooms and in school yards.
PHOTO GALLERY
INTERVIEWS
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RMG – The missionaries of the 155th Salesian Missionary Expedition: Guy Roger Mutombo Mutshi, from the Vice-Province of Africa Congo Congo (ACC) to the Province of Southern Italy (IME)(ANS – Rome) – The final word from the new Salesian missionaries comes from Congolese Guy Roger, a missionary in the Province of Southern Italy. "My plans and dreams for my missionary life are to live in communion of spirit and action with my Salesian brothers in IME for the salvation of poor and abandoned young people, according to the heart of Don Bosco and to the greater glory of God".
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 - The reform of Technical and Vocational Education at the heart of the debate: a comparison on the development of the vocational chain and the 4+2 model(ANS - Rome) - Over 2.1 billion euro will be invested in 2023 for training and labour policies, of which 70%, 1.4 billion, will be earmarked for vocational training and 30%, 640 million, for active labour policies. These are the figures that will be presented next Thursday, 14 November 2024, at the ‘Sala Zuccari’ at Palazzo Giustiniani in Rome, during the annual seminar organised by the Centro Nazionale Opere Salesiane-Formazione e Aggiornamento Professionale (CNOS-FAP) and the PTSCLAS consultancy firm ‘on vocational training and employment policies.
SPECIAL REPORTS
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United States – World Children’s Day: Salesian Missions highlights educational and social programs that empower youth(ANS – New Rochelle) - Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco, joins humanitarian organizations and countries around the globe in recognizing World Children’s Day. Celebrated each year on Nov. 20, the day was established in 1954 to promote international togetherness and awareness on children’s issues worldwide. To date, 194 countries have signed the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) and are bound by international law to ensure it is implemented.
MESSAGES OF THE RECTOR MAJOR
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THE ROSE PATHTHE MESSAGE OF THE VICAR OF THE RECTOR MAJOR,
Fr Stefano Martoglio, SDB"How lucky Don Bosco is! His path is forever strewn with roses! He hasn't a worry in the world. No troubles at all!" But they couldn't see the thorns that were piercing my poor legs.” Nevertheless, I kept going. Every life is interwoven with thorns and roses as in Don Bosco's famous “Dream of the Roses and Thorns.” Hope is the force that keeps us going despite the thorns.