Bariloche, Argentina – February 2024 - The Extraordinary Visitation to the Ceferino Namuncurá Province of South Argentina (ARS) began on 7 February, led by Fr Gabriel Romero, Councillor for the America South Cone Region, on behalf of the Rector Major. The visitation began by taking advantage of the conclusion of the meeting of the Salesians of ARS Province, at the Cardenal Cagliero Retreat House in Bariloche. In the meeting with the Provincial Council on 8 February, the situation of the ARS Province in all sectors of animation was presented to the Regional Councillor: Youth Ministry, Formation, Mission and Economy. In addition, the Province's Educative and Pastoral Plan and the Overall Pastoral Plan were presented. Fr Darío Perera, ARS Provincial, commented on the situation of the Salesian houses that make up the Province, which is preparing to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the arrival of the first Salesian missionaries in Argentina.
Genzano di Roma, Italy - February 2024 - From 7 to 10 February, the World Formation Council, convened by Fr Ivo Coelho, General Councillor for Formation, is held in Genzano di Roma to verify the progress of the Sector since the last General Chapter to date. The seven Regional Formation Coordinators and the heads of the Regional Centres for Ongoing Formation, present in Nairobi (Kenya), Quito (Ecuador) and Bangalore (India), are taking part. The participants are discussing the six-year planning of the Rector Major and his Council following the 28th General Chapter, the challenges posed by Artificial Intelligence to initial and ongoing formation paths, and the verification of the processes initiated by the Sector in this sexennium. The presence of Fr Stefano Martoglio, Vicar of the Rector Major, made it possible to reflect on the causes of confreres leaving from the Congregation, in order to encourage suitable paths to guard one's vocation every day. The dialogue with a group of young Salesians from the "Zeffirino Namuncurá" community in Rome UPS favoured an interpretation of the Congregation's journey from their young experience. The summary of the work will be a contribution to the report on the state of the Congregation that will be presented at GC29.
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 – Presentation of the volume "Giovanni Bosco, Predicazione"(ANS – Rome) – Last Friday, 22 November 2024, at the UPS, the Salesian Historical Institute (ISS), in collaboration with the Don Bosco Study Centre (CSDB) at the Pontifical Salesian University (UPS) in Rome, presented the volume Giovanni Bosco, Predicazione. Introduzione, testi critici e note a cura di Aldo Giraudo e Massimo Schwarzel. (= ISS – Fonti, Prima Series, 18). Rome, 2024. The symposium involved numerous scholars who were able to illustrate the originality and specific value of this new text on St John Bosco.
SPECIAL REPORTS
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RMG – Called from every nation, to go forth to all nations!(ANS – Rome) – We are approaching the eve of the Holy Year. Today, the 11th of the month, the General Councillor for Missions, Fr. Alfred Maravilla, shares his reflection on the mystery of the Church, its relationship to the Kingdom, its mission in today’s world and Don Bosco's love for the Church.
MESSAGES OF THE RECTOR MAJOR
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A BIG HEART LIKE THE SHORES OF THE SEATHE MESSAGE OF THE VICAR OF THE RECTOR MAJOR, Fr Stefano Martoglio, SDB
A new time is given to us: from the Heart of God to the heart of humanity, mirrored in the great heart of Don Bosco.
Dear friends and readers, in this December issue I address you with my best wishes for a new year! We find ourselves in a new time that is given to us to live with intensity and with "newness of life," which I make my own, as a propitious and opportune wish. I am speaking of the gift that the Holy Father has given us in recent days: his Encyclical letter Dilexit Nos on the human and Divine Love of the Heart of Jesus Christ.