Tiruchy, India – February 2024 – In view of the Silver Jubilee celebration of the Salesian Province of Tiruchy, India (INT), a state-level symposium was organised in Tiruchy on 23 and 24 February. The meeting follows an annual impact study on the various sectors of the Province. The results and recommendations of this study formed the basis of the symposium, to take stock of what has been done and to think about the future. The symposium was attended by about 150 people from the Salesian Province of Tiruchy and Chennai and many members of the Salesian Family. Fr Agilan Sarprasadam, Superior of INT, opened the symposium, while Fr John Dharman, SDB, was given the task of presenting the impact study reports to the participants, before leaving the floor to the numerous other speakers. In conclusion, the symposium highlighted the results and challenges of the Province and, among the many themes presented, everyone appreciated the preferential option for marginalised young people.
La Esmeralda, Venezuela – March 2024 - On Saturday, 2 March 2024, Fr Hugo Orozco, Councillor for the Interamerica Region, arrived in La Esmeralda to visit the Salesian communities operating in the Upper Orinoco, another stage of his Extraordinary Visitation to the Province of Venezuela. Fr Orozco arrived accompanied by Fr Nelson Briceño, on a small plane from Puerto Ayacucho courtesy of CAICET. Since his arrival at 8 am he was received by the students and staff working at the La Esmeralda Educational Unit and then he was welcomed into the School Theatre. The day passed between sharing with the young people who live in the two houses, since they come from very remote communities and are there to complete their secondary studies, and conversation with the four Salesians who work between Mavaca and La Esmeralda. On Sunday, the Regional Councillor presided over the Eucharist in the Parish Church of Mary Help of Christians in La Esmeralda, and then continued the conversations, including with the FMA who share the work in that Apostolic Community.
Chennai, India – February 2024 - Fr Gianni Rolandi, representing the Rector Major, began the Extraordinary Visitation to the Salesian Province of Chennai, India (INM), located in southern India. Started on 29 February 2024 in Fujairah, a town where the Salesians established a community comprising a parish and a school, the Extraordinary Visitation represents a crucial moment for the INM Province, as Fr Rolandi himself pointed out. The Extraordinary Visitor will travel to all the Salesian communities in the INM Province, ending his visitation on 31 May 2024. On 5 March Fr Rolandi met the Provincial and his Council and the following day the Rectors and other people in charge in the INM Province, meetings that form the basis for the extensive planned itinerary, providing a platform for collaborative discussions and fostering unity among the Salesian communities in the region. An important moment opens in the history of the Province of Chennai, which promises to reinvigorate and strengthen ties within the Salesian community. The Extraordinary Visitation by Fr Rolandi is destined to leave a lasting impact, fostering spiritual growth and unity among the Salesians and strengthening the vitality and mission of the Province of Chennai.
(ANS – Lisbon) – The new year has brought several innovations in Social Communication St Anthony Province of Portugal, including a completely renewed Salesian Bulletin: new titles, new collaborations and a new layout, to begin with. But also environmental sustainability innovations, such as the use of 100% recycled paper and vegetable inks for the printed version.
(ANS - Bratislava) - On March 5th and 6th, 2024, Fr. Miguel Angel García Morcuende led multiple training sessions with the Provincial Council, House Rectors, and Oratory Animators of the "Mary Help of Christians" Province of Slovakia.
Kigali, Rwanda – March 5, 2024 – A sharing meeting is taking place at the Don Bosco hospitality centre in Kigali between the Work Service Officers (JSOs) in the Salesian Vocational Training Centres (VTCs) and the sector coordination team, in order to identify challenges and develop potential solutions related to the employment of young Salesian students. The meeting is organised by the Department of Work Services of the Planning and Development Office, with the support of Don Bosco Tech Africa. The agenda of the work includes discussions and comparisons on various topics central to the mission of the JSOs, such as: the identification of gaps between the skills taught in Vocational Training Centres and those required by industries; the exploration of strategies to bridge these gaps and improve sector-oriented training; the creation of networks and partnerships; the sharing of best practices; and the creation of work plans. On 8 March 2024, JSOs will meet with key stakeholders to exchange best practices that will shape the future relationship between VTC and the labour market. The Heads of Work Services operate under the aegis of on Bosco Tech Africa", the body that supervises all Salesian VTCs in Africa, and play a fundamental role in Salesian VTCs, bringing students closer to the labour market.
PHOTO GALLERY
INTERVIEWS
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Chile – Former Salesian student in the fight against Alzheimer's disease(ANS - Santiago) - Dr Nibaldo Inestrosa, graduate of the Salesian Institute in Valdivia and national prize of Natural Sciences winner, is a pioneer and expert in the study of Alzheimer's disease in the country. In this interview, he offers an insight into the current challenges, but not before reflecting on his formative experience at the Salesian Institute in Valdivia and how this influenced his interest in biology and science.
EDITORIAL
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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
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India – INS youth solemnise Don Bosco’s Feast Day with ‘Ka Sur Kynud S-3’ Grand Finale(ANS – Shillong) – The Youth of St John Paul II, Shillong Province, celebrated the Feast Day of St. John Bosco with the Grand Finale of “Ka Sur Kynud, Season 3.” Organised by Don Bosco Media Network Television, the Social Communication Department of the Province, at Don Bosco Youth Centre, Laitumkhrah, Shillong, this two-month-long singing competition, which imitates the global singing competition The Voice, concluded on 31 January 2025, coinciding with the Solemnity of St John Bosco.
SPECIAL REPORTS
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RMG - St. Francis de Sales Communicator: All for Love(ANS – Rome) - The figure of St. Francis de Sales, chosen by Don Bosco as an example of a communicator, teaches that communication is a matter of the heart. In his expression, "Everything in the Church is love: everything lives in love, for love, and of love," we understand his revolution in the way of communicating, and how communication becomes fruitful when it allows communion and the exchange of one's experiences in a path of accompaniment and collaboration in God's project.
MESSAGES OF THE RECTOR MAJOR
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WHAT A GIFT TIME IS!THE MESSAGE OF THE VICAR OF THE RECTOR MAJOR,
Fr Stefano Martoglio, SDBThe beginning of the new year is illuminated in our liturgy by the ancient formula with which the Israelite priests blessed the people: "May the Lord bless you, and keep you. May the Lord show His face to you, and have mercy on you. May the Lord turn His countenance to you, and give you peace."