(ANS – Vatican City) – The Vatican also joins the Salesian Family in celebrating the dream that St John Bosco had at nine years of age, which inspired all his work and his charism; and it does so through a stamp and a special stamp cancellation dedicated to this important anniversary.
Los Angeles, United States – February 2024 – St. Bridget Chinese Catholic Church in Chinatown, Los Angeles, celebrated the grand opening of the Mary Help of Christians Center on 11 February. Bishop Matthew Gregory Elshoff, Auxiliary Bishop of Los Angeles, and the parish priest of St Bridget's, Fr Peter Pong, presided over the cutting of the ribbon, with which the Center was officially opened. The latter will be dedicated to supporting the teachings of St John Bosco and will help the young people of Los Angeles become good Christians and upright citizens. Two other events were also celebrated during the opening ceremony, namely the wedding anniversary of the oldest couple in the parish, spouses Tom and Lily Lowe, who have been married for 75 years, and the Lunar New Year celebrations, with the Chinese community welcoming the Year of the Dragon.
Caja de Agua, Venezuela – February 2024 - The Extraordinary Visitation by Fr Hugo Orozco, Councillor for the Interamerica Region, to the Salesian community in Caja de Agua-Punto Fijo took place from 6 to 8 February. Arriving on the evening of 5 February, Fr Orozco began his visit the next morning, with a personal meeting with the four Salesians who reside in the St John Bosco community. In the afternoon he met the young people from the Salesian Youth Movement in Punto Fijo, celebrated the Eucharist in the parish of Our Lady of Fatima and met with pastoral agents and members of the Educative and Pastoral Community (EPC). On 7 February he visited the Salesian Pius XII School in Coro, where he also had a festive meeting with the young people and other members of the EPC. On the occasion, the Regional Councillor stressed the importance of the Salesian Family and the laity committed to safeguarding the charism of Saint John Bosco. His invitation was therefore to continue working for Don Bosco's "Dream that makes you dream". Finally, on 8 February, he met with the young people and staff of the EPES San Juan Bosco, and left them an exciting message to continue building dreams and fighting for the goals that God has placed in every heart.
(ANS - Mumbai) - The Salesian Provincial Conference South Asia (SPCSA) convened its Assembly and Council at Bosco Provincial House, Matunga, Mumbai, from February 8th to 11th, 2024. This significant event brought together Provincials from India's 11 provinces and the Vice Province of Sri Lanka, Provincial Delegates, Network, and Dimension Heads, along with specially invited members, totalling 42 participants.
(ANS – New Delhi) – The General Councillor for the Missions, Fr Alfred Maravilla, was on an Animation Visit to Jesus the Good Shepherd Province of New Delhi (INN) from 7 to 12 February 2024. The INN Province was founded in 1997 and covers 11 states in northern India. Over 220 Salesians promote the integral development of countless young people, most of whom are followers of other religions, through schools, Vocational Training Centres, university institutions, boarding schools and centres for youth animation, for social services and for the emancipation and development of children at risk.
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam – February 2024 - At 1:20 p.m. on February 13, 2024, the Rector Major, Fr. Ángel Fernández Artime and the General Councilors arrived at the Tan San Nhat airport, Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam where they were given a warm welcome by different representatives of the Salesian Family. Then they proceeded to the Provincial house of Don Bosco Viet Nam in HCM City, where they were also felicitated and welcome. Then the Rector Major and the General Councilors continued to move to the Retreat Center Don Bosco K'Long, Dalat, Lamdong (about 300 km from HCM City) to prepare for the Team Visit, which is scheduled to begin tomorrow. The Salesian family and young people are filled with enthusiasm and joy to welcome these Salesian Superiors and consider it a moment of grace and blessing for the Salesian Mission in Vietnam.
PHOTO GALLERY
INTERVIEWS
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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
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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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United States – CATHOLIC WORLD DAY OF THE SICK: Salesian Missions highlights medical programs for people in need around the globe(ANS – New Rochelle) – Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco, joins Catholic organizations around the globe in honoring the Catholic World Day of the Sick. Every year on Feb. 11, the Pope marks the day with a special message calling for spiritual and physical closeness to all those who are ill. Saint John Paul II instituted the day “to encourage the people of God, Catholic health institutions and civil society to be increasingly attentive to the sick and to those who care for them.”
MESSAGES OF THE RECTOR MAJOR
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GOOD, FAITHFUL, AND COURAGEOUS SERVANTSTHE MESSAGE OF THE VICAR OF THE RECTOR MAJOR, Fr Stefano Martoglio, SDB
During this Jubilee year, in this difficult world, we are invited to rise up, set out again, and, in newness of life, make our journey as human beings and believers.