Cambodia – Seminar on "Communication on social media and voice of indigenous peoples for synodality"
Kep, Cambodia – March 2024 – The Don Bosco Kep centre in Cambodia, is currently hosting a seminar entitled "Communication on social media and voice of indigenous peoples for synodality", in which representatives of the media field from Mongolia, the Philippines, East Timor, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Myanmar, Nepal and Papua New Guinea are taking part. The seminar, which began on 10 March, will end on 20 March. At the opening of the workshop, participants wore their traditional indigenous costumes. In his welcome address, Fr Albeiro Rodas, Director of the centre, was in fact delighted to see the cultures of indigenous peoples represented. Subsequently, the indigenous people of Cambodia showed a characteristic ritual that they use to speak to their ancestors. The first session of the workshop then focused on breaking down communication barriers and the ease of translating into different languages thanks to Artificial Intelligence; while the second session was dedicated to the dissemination of news thanks to the 5W rule. After the Mass and a show created by the students of Don Bosco Kep, the participants ended the day in front of a bonfire, attending traditional dances.
Nairobi, Kenya – March 2024 - For the third time, the Salesian Formation Centre Africa-Madagascar (Don Bosco – SAFCAM), organised a workshop on Salesian Pastoral Accompaniment from 4 to 8 March 2024, at the Don Bosco Youth Educational Services (DBYES) centre in Nairobi. The formation was led by three Salesian priests: Alex Mulongo, Philip Lazatin and Richard Ebejer, with eleven participants from various Salesian Provinces and Vice-Provinces: East Africa (AFE), Central Africa (AFC), Africa Congo Congo (ACC), Equatorial Tropical Africa (ATE), Zambia-Malawi-Zimbabwe-Namibia (ZMB), Southern Africa (AFM) and Madagascar (MDG). In the first two days, some necessary information and knowledge were provided by the animators on topics such as Reflection and scriptural foundation starting from the Emmaus event; Theological-pastoral reflection in the current situation, with a general overview of Salesian pastoral accompaniment as a reflection on experiences; "Salesian" approaches to pastoral accompaniment; Formation "in" the Salesian Mission and Pastoral Accompaniment; "Verbatim" Tools; Reports on Incidents and their elaboration; Relevance and method; Tools useful in the elaboration (Listening, Counseling Techniques, Counseling Skills; Emotions and Feelings). The participants were then invited to individually prepare and write an account, so that the last three days were a practical exercise of Salesian pastoral accompaniment. The participants, the facilitators and the SAFCAM team expressed their appreciation for this important formation event in the evaluation of the worshop; they mentioned the value of learning from experiences, touching real situations, gaining new insights, being in touch with previous emotions and feelings.
(ANS – Parañaque) – The Salesian Brothers’ Formation House – Blessed István Sándor Community was canonically erected on 4 December 2013 for the specific formation of the Salesian Brothers coming from the regions of East Asia and Oceania, South Asia and Africa-Madagascar, as well as English speaking provinces. It has a team of formators dedicated exclusively for them. It is ideally located within a compound that includes the formation community for the clerics (Seminaryo ng Don Bosco) and the Don Bosco School of Theology.
(ANS – Rome) – The Salesian Central Italy Circumscription (ICC), through its Integral Ecology team, and the Cinecircoli Giovanili Socioculturali APS (CGS) association intend to launch a challenge to young people, entitled "Please look forward". The proposal will serve to raise awareness among teenagers and young adults aged 15 to 30 on the issues of integral ecology, through designing and creating audiovisual products. "Salesians for Social APS" and the Salesian VIS - International Volunteering for Development NGO will also collaborate in the initiative.
(ANS – Makati) – In a momentous gathering of minds, 36 Salesians and Lay Mission Partners from various sectors and departments of different Don Bosco schools and institutions participated in the first leg of DBEC (Don Bosco Educational Centers) Strategic Planning on March 6 and 7, 2024, at the Quaranta Hall, Braga Building, Don Bosco Technical Institute of Makati.
(ANS - San Salvador) – The Universidad Don Bosco (UDB) in El Salvador celebrates 40 years since its foundation in 2024, and has celebrated this significant anniversary in recent days with an unforgettable commemorative event.
PHOTO GALLERY
INTERVIEWS
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Myanmar – Cardinal Bo, SDB: “A Ceasefire to Allow Aid Is Welcome. Our People Have Suffered Greatly – Now It’s Time for Peace”(ANS – Yangon) – Upon learning of the devastating earthquake that struck Myanmar on March 28, Cardinal Charles Maung Bo, a Salesian of Don Bosco and Archbishop of Yangon, immediately called on the military junta—ruling the country since the 2021 coup—to implement a ceasefire to allow humanitarian aid to reach affected areas. “I am pleased that something is beginning to move in this direction. Today, I urge everyone to give peace a chance. Our people have suffered immensely. Peace is possible—peace is the only way,” he stated.
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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Italy – Don Bosco’s Letters Return back to Valdocco, Turin!(ANS – Turin) – On Wednesday, April 2, 2025, the city of Turin, particularly Valdocco, will commemorate the publication of “The Letters of Don Bosco” (edited by Francesco Motto, Rome, LAS 1992-2024). Two distinct events will be held: one in the morning, open to the general public, and another in the evening, exclusively for Salesian family members and well wishers. These events will serve as a platform to highlight the significance of Don Bosco’s letters.
SPECIAL REPORTS
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United States – World Water Day: Salesian Missions highlights projects that ensure clean water for youth(ANS – New Rochelle) - Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco, joins humanitarian organizations and countries around the globe in celebrating World Water Day. Led by U.N.-Water, the organization that coordinates the United Nations’ work on water and sanitation, the day has been honored on March 22 every year since 1993.
MESSAGES OF THE RECTOR MAJOR
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WE ARE DON BOSCO TODAYTHE MESSAGE OF THE VICAR OF THE RECTOR MAJOR, Fr Stefano Martoglio, SDB
Dear friends and readers, members of the Salesian Family, for this month's greeting in the Salesian Bulletin I will focus on a very important event that the Salesian Congregation is holding presently: General Chapter XXIX. This assembly, the most important one that the Congregation can experience, occurs every six years along the Salesian Congregation’s journey.
