London, Great Britain – March 2025 – On Saturday 15th March, just over 10,000 young people came together to celebrate Flame 2025 at OVO Wembley Arena, London. About 600 Salesian Young People, Brothers, Sisters and Priests, joined dioceses from all over England and Wales to celebrate their faith. The theme of the day was "Unstoppable – Fan the Flame of Hope" complimenting the theme of the Jubilee year "Pilgrims of Hope". The congress featured inspiring speakers like Bear Grylls OBE, who shared how his Christian faith has been a true backbone to all he does, referring to his faith as a "light to a dark path and strength to a failing body". Each attendee received his new book 'The Greatest Story Ever Told' which will be released to the public in the summer. There was also input shared by Br Chris Patiño FSC, Brian Maeba from CAFOD, Bryan Enriquez from the prayer app Hallow, and Isaac Harvey MBE. The event was filled with incredible live music from Guvna B, Adeniké, and One Hope Project, dance, from World Youth Dance Crew, and 8 Beatz, drama, from David Wells and St Thomas More school in Wood Green, prayer, and adoration, igniting a renewed passion for our shared mission. “With all Salesian communities and missions present, we left empowered and ready to be 'Unstoppable' in our faith journey”.
Brussels, Belgium – March 2025 – On March 17, around 700 people gathered in Brussels for the “Bosco Talent Day”, an exceptional gathering of Don Bosco institutions from Brussels and Wallonia. The event was characterized by extraordinary organization, joyful simplicity, and a welcoming atmosphere, making everyone feel at home from the moment they arrived.
After the initial welcome and ice breaker games, the youth energized the venue with dances, accompanied by two costumed figures representing Don Bosco and Maria Domenica Mazzarello.
The first keynote speaker, Fr. Xavier Ernst, SDB, encouraged participants to face today’s challenges with trust, hope, and a strong alliance with young people, helping them build a brighter future. This was followed by a talk from Vincent Flamand, a philosopher and theologian, who urged educators to reflect on what young people truly seek, even when they do not express it directly.
The event continued with 66 teams of around ten participants each, who engaged in sports and recreational activities. After lunch, a concert featuring alumni and teachers entertained the attendees. The day concluded with a variety of workshops, including music, cooking, sports, crafts, and games, ensuring a rich and engaging experience for all.
Córdoba, Argentina – March 2025 – The Salesian Family in Córdoba joyfully celebrated 120 years of Don Bosco’s presence in the city. The event took place at Pio X School, the first Salesian establishment in Córdoba, founded in 1905 by Fr. Juan Bautista Gherra, SDB, along with Pedro Tantardini and Luis Larralde.
The commemorative event brought together students, teachers, families, and alumni in a spirit of gratitude and celebration. Among the distinguished guests were Bishop Alejandro Musolino, SDB, Deputy Mayor Javier Pretto, and the Rectors of Salesian schools in Córdoba and surrounding areas. A commemorative plaque was unveiled at the very site where the first Salesians settled, honoring the origins of the mission.
One of the most touching moments of the event was the entrance of the Pio X Salesian community carrying images of Don Bosco and Mary Help of Christians. A special song performed by the primary school students reflected the spirit of Don Bosco, and the event concluded with a symbolic balloon release, representing dreams and the journey ahead.
The celebration ended with a blessing by Fr. Adrián Botta, SDB, the Rector of the school. Speaking on behalf of the Salesians, he remarked: “This anniversary invites us to renew our commitment to continue building this story of faith and education together.”
As the Oratory and its activities grew, Don Bosco felt the need for a larger church than the small Pinardi Chapel. With incredible courage, he decided to build a bigger church dedicated to St. Francis de Sales.
(ANS – Turin) – The fifth week of the 29th General Chapter (GC29) in Turin-Valdocco has been particularly intense. All three thematic areas under discussion have now reached the stage of analysis and proposal, requiring the Chapter members to shift their focus among multiple key issues.
(ANS – Turin) – The week ahead represents a crucial moment for the 29th General Chapter (GC29), during which the capitulars will elect the 11th Successor of Don Bosco, along with the Vicar General and the General Councilors. It is a decisive week for the future of the Salesian Congregation, to be lived in an atmosphere of intense prayer, reflection, and discernment.
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.
