Tarnowskie Góry, Poland – February 2024 - "Lovers of Jesus Christ – devoted to young people", this was the motto with which the Provincial Chapter of the Salesians of the Province of Poland-Wrocław (PLO) began on Monday, 5 February. 46 Salesians from all communities arrived a The Provincial Chapter is a meeting that seeks to answer urgent questions about the identity of every Salesian living in the modern world, among confreres, in the community – said the PLO Provincial Fr Bartłomiej Polański, SDB, and President of the Chapter, in his introductory conference on the prophetic gaze on the future of the Salesian Congregation. During the meetings in seven minor commissions, the Delegates of the individual religious houses discussed important issues related to Salesian life, and subsequently, in a plenary meeting, they summarised and collected the most important conclusions and indications for the development of the charism. Fr Paweł Druszcz, moderator of the Provincial Chapter, and the moderators of the commissions helped to make the event a time of deep reflection, prayer and decision regarding further activities and directions of development for the Salesians of the Province of Wrocław. One of the days of the Provincial Chapter was spent together with the laity who collaborate daily in the Salesian mission, and it was stressed by the Salesians that without them the Salesian charism would be incomplete. The Chapter ended on 10 February with the Eucharist and the closing ceremony presided over by Fr Polański.
Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic – February 2024 – In the evening of Saturday, 10 February 2024, in San Juan Bosco Parish Santo Domingo, Cardinal Ángel Fernández Artime, Rector Major of the Salesians of Don Bosco, presided over the Eucharistic celebration during which over 150 Salesian Cooperators renewed their promises. The celebration, which was attended by numerous members of the Salesian Family, was organised by the National Council of Salesian Cooperators of the Dominican Republic, and was broadcast live on the YouTube channel.
(ANS - Santo Domingo) - Cardinal Ángel Fernández Artime, the Rector Major of the Salesians of Don Bosco, held a meeting yesterday, Friday 9 February, in the parish of Saint John Bosco in Santo Domingo, with the Salesian Confreres, as part of his visit to the Province of the Antilles (ANT).
(ANS – Podgorica) – On the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the “Don Bosko” school, a festive celebration was organised on Wednesday, 31 January, at the premises of the Don Bosco Centre in Podgorica. Don Bosco school is a private educational institution founded by the Salesians in Podgorica, which carries out educational work through the organisation of courses.
(ANS – Rome) – In view of the Communication Conference 2024, entitled “Shaping Tomorrow”, scheduled to take place from 1 to 7 August 2024 at the facilities of the Pontifical Salesian University (UPS) in Rome, the Salesian Congregation’s Communication Sector is launching a series of articles intended to explore the nature, meanings, visions and perspectives of this event We begin today with a careful analysis of the meaning of the motto that will guide the work.
(ANS - Rome) – The Strennas that Fr Ángel Fernández Artime, Rector Major of the Salesians of Don Bosco, now Cardinal, has produced and disseminated in his 10 years at the head of the Salesian Congregation (2014-2024) are the subject of a publication by his Secretary and spokesperson, Fr Giuseppe Costa. The collection is entitled "Called to Love with Hope" and in the introduction among other things states, the authoritative contributions of journalist Enzo Romeo, professor of the Theological Faculty of Sicily Massimo Naro, and sociologist Cecilia Costa, of the University of Roma Tre, who, from their point of view, make a transversal reading of the volume.
On Thursday, 29 February 2024, the book will be presented at the Maria Santissima Bambina Institute, at Via Paolo VI, Rome, during an event that can also be followed remotely by watching the live stream available on YouTube.
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.