Buenos Aires, Argentina - July 2022 - The annual seminar of the Argentine section of the Association of Salesian History Scholars (ACSSA) was recently held in Buenos Aires in the Salesian House of Almagro. The seminar focused on the preparation of studies and research in view of the 150th anniversary of the arrival of the First Salesian Missionary Expedition to America. The event, which was formative, included two papers. The first, by Dr. José Emilio Burucúa, is entitled, "Missionary Photographs of Salesian Action in Argentina. Socio-anthropological clues in the composition and expressiveness of the subjects photographed"; the second, by Dr. María Andrea Nicoletti, related to "Keys to the historical reading of the Salesian presence in Argentina." Each presentation was followed by a dialogue and debate session on the participants' contributions.
(ANS - Rome) - Next Sunday, 19 December, at 9:00 (UTC + 1) an episode of the "Viaggi del cuore - Journeys of the Heart" TV program entirely dedicated to the Salesians will be broadcast on Italy’s national television channel Rete4. Fr Davide Banzato, spiritual assistant of the "Nuovi Orizzonti" association and well-known face of Italian TV, will introduce the topics offered by various guests who will deepen the figures of St. Francis de Sales and Don Bosco, and the value and significance of the Salesian missions, of yesteryear and today. In conclusion, Fr Ángel Fernández Artime, Rector Major of the Salesians, will also speak.
(ANS - Rome) - "I have chosen the missionary life to respond freely and consciously to the call of God who sends us all over the world to announce the good news, and who remains with us until the end of the world (Mt 28.19- 20), and to work in collaboration with the confreres of my new Province where the Lord is sending me.” Speaking with such conviction is the young Congolese Salesian Grégoire Maloba sent, with the 152nd Salesian Missionary Expedition, to his new mission land, Portugal.
(ANS - Rome) - Is it possible that the flame of the missionary vocation is lit during a Mass, attending the episcopal ordination of a confrere, listening to songs whose meaning is not even understood? But it seems so -as confirmed by Fr Jose Armando G. Cortez, a 50-year-old Filipino Salesian. 4 years ago he was representing his Province (of Northern Philippines), at the ordination of Fr Pedro Baquero SDB as the bishop of Kerema, Papua New Guinea where he felt moved. After a serious discernment, he conveyed his availability for the missions last Sunday, November 21, at Valdocco and received the missionary mandate from the Rector Major, Fr Ángel Fernández Artime.
(ANS - Rome) - "For me, becoming a Salesian missionary is a desire that goes back to my childhood. I was born in a non-Christian family, but converted to Christianity. I grew up in the missionary parish of Nyakasanza of Ituri-Bunia, in the Northeast of my country, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and there I was baptized and confirmed in 2002. Since my novitiate, which began in 2017, I had expressed to my Novice Master my aspiration to be a missionary." This is how young Dieudonné Ramazani Lukundula, a Congolese Salesian, introduces himself to ANS readers. Last Sunday, November 21, he received the Missionary Cross of the 152nd Salesian Missionary Expedition from the Rector Major, Fr Ángel Fernández Artime.
(ANS - Turin) - A traditional and yet ever new gesture was repeated yesterday, on Sunday 21 November, at the Basilica of Mary Help of Christians in Turin: that of the delivery of the missionary crucifixes to the departing missionaries of the 152nd Salesian Missionary Expedition. “As Christians, we are all missionary disciples, called to be witnesses of the truth in the name of the Lord. And you, my dear missionaries, are much more so,” said the Rector Major during the homily of the Mass.
PHOTO GALLERY
INTERVIEWS
-
Chile – Former Salesian student in the fight against Alzheimer's disease(ANS - Santiago) - Dr Nibaldo Inestrosa, graduate of the Salesian Institute in Valdivia and national prize of Natural Sciences winner, is a pioneer and expert in the study of Alzheimer's disease in the country. In this interview, he offers an insight into the current challenges, but not before reflecting on his formative experience at the Salesian Institute in Valdivia and how this influenced his interest in biology and science.
EDITORIAL
-
Myanmar – Tragedy of Innocent Children in the midst of Armed Conflicts(ANS – Naypyidaw) - Myanmar finds itself immersed in profound grief and anguish as innocent lives, particularly those of children, continue to be mercilessly lost in the enduring armed conflicts. Families are left devastated by the tragic loss of their loved ones while the relentless violence shows no signs of abating. This week, a heartfelt plea from Myanmar reached our community, shedding light on the heart-wrenching death of a young girl Juliet in a military airstrike, prompting a unified call for prayers and action.
EVENTS
-
Italy – Don Bosco and his religious dimension today: an evening of in-depth study in the Basilica of Mary Help of Christians(ANS – Turin) – The first of the three Tuesdays organised by the Basilica of Mary Help of Christians in preparation for the feast of Don Bosco (31 January), on the theme "Today with Don Bosco, pilgrims of hope", took place as scheduled on the evening of 14 January.
SPECIAL REPORTS
-
United States – CATHOLIC WORLD DAY OF PEACE: Salesian Missions highlights programs that lead to peaceful, supportive environment(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 Peace. Every year on Jan. 1, the Pope marks the day with a special message inviting all people to reflect on the important work of building peace. Pope Paul VI established the day in 1967. The day was first observed on Jan. 1, 1968.
United States – CATHOLIC WORLD DAY OF PEACE: Salesian Missions highlights programs that lead to peaceful, supportive environment(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 Peace. Every year on Jan. 1, the Pope marks the day with a special message inviting all people to reflect on the important work of building peace. Pope Paul VI established the day in 1967. The day was first observed on Jan. 1, 1968.Pope Francis focused his message for the day on the theme “Forgive us our trespasses: grant us your peace” inspired by his encyclical letters Laudato Si’ and Fratelli Tutti. The day focuses on hope and reconciliation and represents “a call to conversion, not oriented toward condemnation but toward reconciling and being reconciled.”The Vatican Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development noted that by “considering the reality of conflicts and social sins afflicting humanity today in light of the hope inherent in the jubilee tradition of the forgiveness of sins concrete principles emerge that can lead to a much-needed spiritual, social, economic, ecological, and cultural change.”To mark Catholic World Day of Peace 2025, Salesian Missions is proud to highlight programs that address social and economic needs of youth that lead to a peaceful and supportive environment.DOMINICAN REPUBLICMore than 9,700 Haitian refugees and their families, who fled their home country due to the ongoing political crises and settled in the community of Jarabacoa, Dominican Republic, have received meals to support their nutritional needs. The meals were provided through a partnership between Rise Against Hunger and Salesian Missions. Daughters of Mary Help of Christians distributed the meals to families in need during the first half of 2024.Most of the recipients work in construction or engage in maintenance work at a Salesian school. Many workers are undocumented and live in isolated places with their families in small, rented houses. They are not always paid fairly and have few labor benefits due to their migration status.A Salesian explained, “The socio-political situation in Haiti continues to be a major difficulty, as workers are often exposed to unfair treatment, the risk of deportation and living in precarious conditions because they have entered the country illegally. The distribution of food helps to reduce some of these dangers. Some of them are very shy, and they show fear when you first interact with them and can resist help. However, the help they received has made them feel welcomed and has allowed them to integrate better into the life of the community and open up.”ECUADORYouth attending programs at the Salesian Madre del Salvador Center, in the Santa Marta neighborhood in the Parish of La Merced, Ecuador, have a new recreation and sports area thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions. Youth and their families in the area live in situations of vulnerability, poverty and danger from violence due to gangs and drug trafficking. Located on the Esmeraldas River, the area also suffers from flooding and high pollution.Youth need a refuge and a place to feel safe, and the donation impacted the lives of 143 youth. Salesians were able to use donor funding to make the recreation area of the center more welcoming, secure, and accessible so youth have a proper environment to play sports and engage in recreational activities with their peers.A Salesian missionary explained, “This project permitted the construction of a synthetic soccer field and additional recreational areas. The joy of the children and youth is evident. The new spaces have changed the environment, and youth feel a sense of belonging and dignity. This investment reinforces our commitment to providing a more dignified quality of life.”INDIADon Bosco Higher Secondary School, located in Perambur, Chennai, India, purchased 15 sets of interactive intelligent panel boards to facilitate a more dynamic and engaging learning environment for students. The boards were purchased thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions.The boards have been installed for classes in eighth, ninth and eleventh grades as well as the audio video hall for staff. More than 700 youth will be impacted by this new technology. Most of the students are from challenging family situations. The technology will also support 63 staff people. On special occasions, other classes will have access to this technology.One young student said that he found it easier to concentrate and grasp concepts better thanks to the new boards. Other students have voiced the same opinion. Salesians report that many students thanked the school management for having brought about this enhancement into the classroom. Parents have also been pleased.UGANDASalesian missionaries with Don Bosco Children and Life Mission (Don Bosco CALM), in Namugongo, northeast of Kampala, Uganda, had the funding for a rain harvest water system thanks to the Salesian Missions Clean Water Initiative. The project was completed in June 2024.The new water system has ensured reliable clean water for the 558 students at the Salesian school along with staff, others on campus and people in the nearby community. The water is available for drinking, cooking and hygiene. The new system is also working to ensure that the campus no longer floods during heavy rains by controlling the impact of running water over the grounds. With the addition of the new system, Salesians are saving money on expensive water bills and can reinvest this money into the school.Okori Timothy, age 10, is one of the students who have benefited from the project. He explained, “Before the new water system, my friends and I struggled to have the water we needed for washing clothes and for bathing. During the rainy season it was difficult to play because the field would be flooded. This new water system is solving both problems. We have the water we need and can use the grounds to play and be with our friends.”Don Bosco CALM rescues, rehabilitates and reintegrates street children back into society. Salesians meet basic needs and provide education, socio-cultural activities, and recreation such as sports programming to help youth have a bright future.
MESSAGES OF THE RECTOR MAJOR
-
WHAT A GIFT TIME IS!THE MESSAGE OF THE VICAR OF THE RECTOR MAJOR,
Fr Stefano Martoglio, SDBThe beginning of the new year is illuminated in our liturgy by the ancient formula with which the Israelite priests blessed the people: "May the Lord bless you, and keep you. May the Lord show His face to you, and have mercy on you. May the Lord turn His countenance to you, and give you peace."