(ANS – Lecco) – Giuliano Maresi and Serafino Ripamonti, two climbers from the "Ragni di Lecco" Rock School – who had participated in the inauguration of the exhibition on Fr Alberto Maria De Agostini promoted by the Salesian Historical Institute (ISS) in 2022 in Rome and in 2024 in Turin – could not help but bring the same exhibition to their city. The great Salesian missionary, the explorer of Patagonia, lies behind the privileged relationship that Lecco mountaineering and the red sweaters of the "Spiders" had and have with those mountains "at the end of the world". The occasion came with the beginning of the celebrations for the 50th anniversary of the conquest of Cerro Torre by the "Città di Lecco" expedition (1974) and the 150th anniversary of the foundation of the local section of the Italian Alpine Club (CAI - 1874).
(ANS – Corigliano d 'Otranto) – A socio-educational day centre called "Buona Stoffa" (good material) was recently opened in the Salesian work in Corigliano d 'Otranto. As Giovanna Coccioli, in charge of this work explains, "it aims to support families in education, accompanying children and young people from 6 to 18 years of age who are sent to us by the social services for an educational journey parallel to school, accompanying them in an after-school service and enabling them to study in a beautiful, welcoming context where attention is also paid to their health, with benches and ergonomic chairs."
(ANS – Genzano, Rome) – A Meeting of Provincial Delegates of the Salesians of Don Bosco (SDB) and the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians (FMA) with the Representatives of the other Salesian Family Groups from the Mediterranean Region took place in Genzano, Rome, from 8 to 11 February 2024, as part of the schedule of meetings already underway with Delegates from the different Regions in the Salesian world.
(ANS – Kurla) – Don Bosco Industrial Training Institute (DBITI), Kurla, launched a state-of-the-art facility ‘Don Bosco E-Mobility Centre of Excellence’ on 7 February 2024. This is a joint initiative between DBITI, the Federal Ministry of Economic Co-operation and Development - Germany, and Don Bosco Mondo - Germany.
(ANS – Rome) – After the five appointments already made throughout 2023, the appointments of the Team Visit – an animation tool of the Rector Major and the General Council to verify the ongoing journey in the different Salesian situations, to ensure convergence and unity – have now resumed in February. It will therefore start once more with the Team Visit to East Asia-Oceania (EAO), scheduled in Vietnam from Wednesday 14 to Saturday 17 February 2024.
Lima, Peru – February 2024 – The first meeting of 2024 of the Salesian Rectors from St Rose Province of Peru (PER) took place from 7 to 9 February, on the theme "The Dream that makes you dream". The meeting was opened by Fr Juan Pablo Alcas, PER Provincial, who stressed, among other things, that the figure of the Rector represents Don Bosco and that every Rector must be in the Salesian house for which he is responsible. The first day focused on the study of the Rector's Manual and the analysis of the role of the Salesian Rector in the religious community. On the second day, various topics were addressed, including the presentation of the 2023 financial statement, the fundamental role of the Don Bosco Foundation, innovative Social Communication projects, the Evaluation of the 2023 Programming of Youth Ministry and the pastoral accompaniment process for works. On the last day the participants reflected on the challenges and opportunities in the vocational animation of the PER Province. At the end of the meeting, Fr Juan Pablo Alcas presided over the installation ceremony of the new Salesian Rectors for PER Province.
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."