(ANS – Turin) – On the morning of 27 March 2025, Fr. Fabio Attard, the 11th successor of Don Bosco, chose a deeply symbolic and heartfelt way to celebrate his second Mass as Rector Major. He visited the infirmary of the Mother House at Valdocco, where the elderly and sick Salesians of the ICP Province reside, to celebrate the Eucharist with them. This thoughtful gesture underscored his profound sense of responsibility and care for all members of the Salesian Congregation, particularly those who, due to their age or health, can no longer actively engage in the fieldwork of the mission.
(ANS – Rome) – The Salesian Province of the Middle East, dedicated to "Jesus the Adolescent" (MOR), was canonically established on January 20, 1902, following a request to the Holy See by the then Rector Major, Fr. Michele Rua. Only ten years had passed since the arrival of the first Salesians in the Holy Land: they arrived in three groups in 1891—on June 15, September 8, and December 29.
(ANS – Rome) – Randazzo, a town on the slopes of Mount Etna in the Province of Catania, has a deep-rooted Salesian presence. In 1877, the Municipality of Randazzo sought to establish a technical school, and upon the suggestion of the Bishop of Acireale, they invited Don Bosco to take charge. Don Bosco sent 10 Salesians, led by Fr. Pietro Guidazio. Before departing, Guidazio received Don Bosco's blessing and reassured him, saying: “Do not fear, in Randazzo, you will accomplish great things.”
Mirik, India – March 2025 – On March 22, a group of seven Salesian Cooperators from Don Bosco School Park Circus, Calcutta, attended a family animation session in Mirik, led byFr. Mathew Pulingathil, Rector of Don Bosco School and Parish Priest of Mirik.
The session emphasized the crucial role of parents in shaping their children's lives, highlighting the importance of fostering an educational environment, encouraging children’s efforts, and demonstrating virtues such as kindness, patience, and responsibility.
Fr. Pulingathil stressed that children learn by observing their parents and urged parents to be role models, recognizing and appreciating their children's efforts with love. Following the session, during the Eucharistic Adoration, prayers were offered for the Salesian Congregation, the Salesian Cooperators, families, and all of humanity.
Mirik, a small hill town in Darjeeling district, sits at 1,500 meters above sea level. The Salesian mission for the Nepali-speaking population began there in 1982.
Porto Alegre, Brazil – March 2025 – On March 23, Porto Alegre, RS, hosted the meeting of the Management Committees for the Salesian Network of Brazil’s (RSB-Rete Salesiana Brasil) Programmatic Areas (Social Action, Communication, and School) and the National Commission for Salesian Youth Ministry. Held at the Casa de Eventos, the gathering brought together representatives from different regions of Brazil.
The central theme of the event was the 2025 Strenna: "Anchored in Hope, Pilgrims with the Youth", highlighting the Salesian mission as a Network and its commitment to education, evangelization, and social action.
The meeting set out to strengthen the Salesian Mission in the Network through objectives such as:
Promoting integration among commission members, reinforcing their collective identity and commitment. Aligning understanding and expectations regarding key responsibilities, ensuring effective collaboration. Sharing challenges and perspectives to foster dialogue and experience-sharing. Defining shared responsibilities for the 2025 Work Plan and Integrated Training Plan. Participants included Provincial Coordinators for Communication, Schools, Social Action, and Youth Ministry, alongside leaders of the Salesian Network of Brazil (RSB). The meeting reaffirmed the RSB’s commitment to a collaborative and integrated mission, fostering dialogue, learning, and strengthening the Salesian presence throughout Brazil.
Shillong, India – March 2025 –Don Bosco College - Byndihati concluded a two-day spiritual retreat that provided a profound opportunity for reflection and renewal to their students on March 24. Over 300 Catholic students participated in it, demonstrating a strong commitment to their faith and a deep desire for spiritual connection.
The retreat’s success was attributed to the Eucharistic celebration presided over by Monsignor Ferdinand Dkhar, Bishop of Jowai, the guidance of the college principal, and the dedication of the event’s facilitators, whose leadership inspired active and engaged participation from the students.
PHOTO GALLERY
INTERVIEWS
-
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
-
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
-
Italy – Artificial Intelligence, School, and Vocational Training: The Salesians of Italy at “Didacta” 2025(ANS – Florence) – The Salesian network for vocational training and education will participate in the “Didacta Fair” to discuss artificial intelligence, employment, business, and school education.
SPECIAL REPORTS
-
United States – World Water Day: Salesian Missions highlights projects that ensure clean water for 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 celebrating World Water Day. Led by U.N.-Water, the organization that coordinates the United Nations’ work on water and sanitation, the day has been honored on March 22 every year since 1993.
MESSAGES OF THE RECTOR MAJOR
-
WE ARE DON BOSCO TODAYTHE MESSAGE OF THE VICAR OF THE RECTOR MAJOR, Fr Stefano Martoglio, SDB
Dear friends and readers, members of the Salesian Family, for this month's greeting in the Salesian Bulletin I will focus on a very important event that the Salesian Congregation is holding presently: General Chapter XXIX. This assembly, the most important one that the Congregation can experience, occurs every six years along the Salesian Congregation’s journey.
