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.
(ANS – Tirupattur) - In a display of grandeur befitting its prestigious legacy, the Sacred Heart College (Autonomous) celebrated its 73rd College Day. The event, held on February 10th, 2024, at the picturesque College Grounds, witnessed a convergence of students, faculty, esteemed guests, and cherished alumni.
(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).
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.