Juazeiro do Norte, Brazil – March 2025 – On Monday, March 24th, the Our Lady of Perpetual Help Chapel in Juazeiro do Norte (CE) was filled with people who came to celebrate the Eucharist. They were there to honour the 181st anniversary of the birth of Fr. Cícero Romão Batista, the Servant of God. It was a very emotional moment for everyone who attended. Faithful from near and far joined in prayer to honor the life and work of this remarkable priest, a symbol of faith and popular devotion, who was posthumously declared a Salesian Cooperator on February 3, 2024, by Cardinal Ángel Fernández Artime.
The celebration was presided over by Fr. Francisco Ataíde, SDB, Rector of the Salesian presence in Juazeiro do Norte. In his homily, Fr. Ataíde reflected on Fr. Cícero’s unwavering faith, trust in God, and deep gratitude—qualities that shaped his journey as a priest and community leader. “Fr. Cícero was a man whose faith touched the hearts of many. He is an example of how trust in God can strengthen us in the face of adversity,” Fr. Ataíde stated.
At the end of the celebration, the congregation proceeded to Fr. Cícero’s tomb at the Capela do Socorro, where they gathered in prayer in honor of this great servant of God.
(ANS – Turin) – The election of Fr. Fabio Attard as the 11th successor of Don Bosco marks a historic moment for the Salesian Congregation and the Salesian Family worldwide. Elected during the 29th General Chapter of the Society of St. Francis de Sales, Fr. Fabio Attard fully embodies Don Bosco's charism and is preparing to lead the Salesian mission dedicated to young people, especially the poorest and most vulnerable, in 136 nations. With extensive theological, pastoral, and academic experience, Fr. Attard is called to guide the Salesian Congregation toward a renewed future, bringing Don Bosco's dream to the heart of the contemporary world.
(ANS-Turin) - The 29th General Chapter of the Society of St. Francis de Sales has elected the new Rector Major, Fr. Fabio Attard.
(ANS – Kolkata) – Indian Salesian Fr. Peter Lourdes, the first Indian Director of Salesian College in Sonada, entered his 100th year on March 19, at the Salesian Provincial House in Kolkata. Born on March 19, 1926, Fr. Lourdes served as the ninth Rector of the Salesian House in Sonada for three years, from 1967 to 1970. The institute, founded in 1938, housed resident Salesian students from Italy and Commonwealth countries until the late 1960s.
(ANS – Rome) – On the occasion of the election of the new Rector Major, the XI Successor of Don Bosco leading the Salesian Congregation, the iNfo Salesiana Agency will broadcast live the ceremony of the profession of faith and the greeting of the Chapter members to the Newly elected Rector Major. The live stream will begin on Tuesday, 25 March 20225 at 5:00 PM (UTC+1) on the ANS YouTube channel and Facebook page.
(ANS – Frascati) – On Friday, March 21, 2025, a significant event dedicated to children’s rights and fostering hope for future generations was held in Frascati. The debate featured Cardinal Ángel Fernández Artime, Pro-Prefect of the Dicastery for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life, and Dr. Paolo Ruffini, Prefect of the Dicastery for Communication of the Holy See. This event marked the inauguration of the “Spring Parents’ School,” promoted by the Salesian Institute “Villa Sora,” and was centred on the theme of hope in the context of the 2025 Jubilee of Hope.
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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Italy – Artificial Intelligence, School, and Vocational Training: The Salesians of Italy at “Didacta” 2025(ANS – Florence) – The Salesian network for vocational training and education will participate in the “Didacta Fair” to discuss artificial intelligence, employment, business, and school education.
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.
