(ANS – Rome) – The film "Zatti, hermano nuestro" – a production of the Salesian Bulletin and of the two Provinces of Argentina, North and South, written and directed by Fr Ricardo Campoli, member of the Social Communication Sector of the Salesian Congregation – was the winning film at the 15th edition of the international festival of Catholic filmography "Mirabile Dictu", in the short film category. The award ceremony took place on the evening of Thursday 15 February 2024, in the fine setting of Palazzo Cesi in Rome, near the Vatican.
(ANS – K’Long) - The second day of the EAO Team Visit in Vietnam commenced with a solemn celebration of the Holy Eucharist at 6:30 am, presided over by the Rector Major, Cardinal Ángel Fernández Artime. During the homily, Fr Stefano Martoglio, Vicar of the Rector Major, urged the participants to embrace a spirit of renunciation and wholeheartedly follow the teachings of Jesus, becoming dedicated disciples of Don Bosco.
(ANS – Turin) – St John Bosco's deep faith in Jesus Christ was manifested, during his life, also through a discreet and constant but intense, devotion to the Shroud, silent witness of the Passion and Resurrection of the Saviour of the world. To deepen Don Bosco's connection with Sacred Linen, as part of its usual review of podcasts related to Shroud literature, the International Centre for Shroud Studies (CISS) dedicated an episode to the Father and Teacher of Young People.
(ANS – Turin) – From 29 August to 1 September 2024, Fatima will host the 9th International Congress of Mary Help of Christians promoted by the Association of Mary Help of Christians (ADMA) and aimed at all groups of the Salesian Family. It aims to make known, deepen and spread the devotion to the "Don Bosco's Madonna". In view of this significant appointment of the Salesian Family, the organising team of the congress has promoted a series of nine videos in which different personalities of the Salesian world invite everyone to participate; and the first invitation could only be that of Cardinal Ángel Fernández Artime, Rector Major of the Salesians of Don Bosco and Father and Centre of Unity of the Salesian Family.
(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.
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.