La Guajira, Venezuela - February 2024 - "Days spent in an atmosphere of closeness and trust": this is how Fr Hugo Orozco, Councillor for the Interamerica Region, described his Extraordinary Visitation to St John Bosco community at El Molinete, in La Guajira, from 9 to 11 February. During his stay there, Fr Orozco had the opportunity to engage in fraternal dialogue not only with the religious and volunteers active in the presence, but also with several teams of people of great importance in the development of the work, as they are part of the school and agricultural staff, and with the workers of the various vineyards made up of the various rural communities served by the Salesians in La Guajira. The Regional Councillor also had a meeting with the Salesian Cooperators and with the young people in the Salesian Youth Movement, bringing them a message of encouragement and closeness, along with the Eucharist, rich in cultural expressions typical of the local Wayúu culture. Fr Orozco visited the educational and agricultural facilities, much of the area served by the Salesians, thus getting to know in depth the situation in the area. The visit ended with various orientations and motivations to encourage the Salesian community.
Kibeho, Rwanda - 19th February 2024 - This morning, Monday 19 February 2024, the Superiors of the 15 Salesian Circumscriptions (6 Provinces and 9 Vice Provinces) of the Africa-Madagascar Region, accompanied by their Provincial Councillors and led by the Regional Councillor, Fr Alphonse Owoudou, made a pilgrimage to the Marian shrine of Our Lady of Kibeho. After a welcome and the presentation of the shrine and Marian apparitions, more than 100 Salesians present took part in the Eucharist presided over by Fr Owoudou. The pilgrimage to the shrine of Kibeho had been decided and fixed by the meeting of the Conference of the Provinces and Vice Provinces of Africa-Madagascar (CIVAM) last October, to constitute a moment of spiritual preparation in view of the beginning of the Visitation of the Region, which kicks off tomorrow, Tuesday, 20th February.
(ANS – Da Lat) - In a momentous event yesterday evening, 16 February, the Don Rua Da Lat community had the honor of hosting the esteemed Rector Major, Cardinal Ángel Fernández Artime, as well as the General Councilors and Participants of the EAO Team Visit 2024. The occasion witnessed the presence of numerous distinguished guests, including Bishop Dominic Nguyen Van Manh, Bishop Peter Nguyen Van De, SDB, and Fr. John Bosco Hoang Van Chinh, along with members of the Civil Government.
(ANS - K'Long) - The EAO Team Visit entered its third day on February 16, 2024, with a series of thought-provoking discussions revolving around Salesian formation and the imperative of adapting to an ever-evolving world. The day commenced with a Holy Mass led by Rector Major Fr Ángel Fernández Artime, accompanied by an inspiring homily delivered by Fr García Morcuende Miguel Ángel, the General Councillor for Youth Ministry. His sermon centered on the profound meaning of Lent and encouraged participants to introspect, placing love for God and dedication to youth at the forefront of their lives.
(ANS – Rome) – The cycle of events in the series "What kind of Salesians for the youth of today?" continues, on the Action Programme for the Salesian Congregation after the 28th General Chapter. On Saturday, 17 February 2024, Fr Silvio Roggia, Rector of the Zefirino Namuncurá community in Rome will speak, called to offer ideas and insights starting from the theme "In the face of cultural changes, what kind of fraternal life and Salesian mission for today?"
(ANS – Vatican City) – On Thursday, 15 February 2024, the Holy See Press Office announced that the Holy Father Francis has appointed Salesian Father Francesco Fontana as Chaplain of the Directorate of Museums and Cultural Heritage, Coordinator of all the Chaplains of the Directorates and Central Offices, Coordinator of the "Estate Ragazzi" Program and of the "Family Day" Program and other family pastoral initiatives.
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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Argentina – UNISAL Participates in the International Forum “Territories of the Future: South Atlantic and Antarctica”(ANS – Río Grande) – From February 19 to 21, the cities of Río Grande, Tolhuin, and Ushuaia hosted the International Forum “Territories of the Future: South Atlantic and Antarctica”, organized by the University Network for the Care of the Common Home (RUC) and the Municipality of Río Grande, with support from the National University of Tierra del Fuego (UNTDF). The event brought together universities from Argentina, Latin America, and the Caribbean to discuss sustainability and conservation in these regions, with the Salesian University of Argentina (UNISAL) playing an important role.
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.