Turin, Italy – 11 August 2024 – Presiding over the Eucharist with young men and women at the Salesian Synod of Young People, on Sunday, 11 August, Card. Ángel Fernández Artime officiated at his last Mass as Rector Major in the Basilica of Mary Help of Christians in Turin. At the end of the celebration, the 10th Successor of Don Bosco also placed his signature in the register of bishops and cardinals at the sanctuary and basilica, in memory of this historic circumstance.
(ANS – Turin) - The basilica of Mary Help of Christians wore a youthful look as young people of the Salesian Youth Synod gathered with a profound sense of reverence and joy for the Inaugural Mass at the Basilica of Mary Help of Christians in Valdocco. This sacred celebration was presided over by the Rector Major, Cardinal Ángel Fernández Artime, accompanied by several members of the Salesian Youth Ministry Sector and numerous Salesians of Don Bosco from around the world. The Cardinal extended a warm welcome to everyone attending, both in person and via live stream, expressing his joy at seeing so many young people from across the globe gathered in the very place where Don Bosco had envisioned their presence centuries ago.
(ANS - Turin) - The Youth Synod begins today. There are 376 participants; 292 young people have the right to vote in the Assembly. The other participants in the Synod, without the right to vote, are: the Rector Major and 45 Salesians: representatives of the Regions/responsible for content and entertainment, logistics, social communication, translators and technical staff; 19 FMA; 15 musicians and 5 lay technicians.
Turin, Italy – August 2024 – The 2024 edition of Campobosco ended on Tuesday 6 August, bringing together over 600 young people from the Salesian Youth Movement in Spain and Portugal. The last act was the emotional Mass in the Basilica of Mary Help of Christians, the culmination of a week spent in full youthful joy and in the deepening of Salesian history in the footsteps of Don Bosco and Mother Mazzarello. Already on 5 August it had been a special day, with the participants coming from Colle Don Bosco, the birthplace of the Saint of the Young, and visiting Valdocco, the headquarters of his mission where they met with the Rector Major, Card. Ángel Fernández Artime, SDB In a warm and friendly atmosphere, the young people had the opportunity to ask him questions about his new service as Cardinal, his message for young people and his vision of the Salesian Youth Movement (SYM) in the world, and participated in the Eucharist he presided over in the Basilica of Mary Help of Christians.
(ANS – Bova Marina) – From Friday 2 to Sunday 4 August 2024, "Salesian" Calabria welcomed and experienced the joy of the presence of the 10th Successor of Don Bosco, Card. Ángel Fernández Artime, at the Bova Marina Community. The Rector Major arrived in this town on the afternoon of Friday, 2 August, landing by helicopter together with the Superior of the Blessed Michael Rua Province of Southern Italy (IME), Fr Gianpaolo Roma, and his Vice-ProvinciL, Fr Tomë Mihaj.
Rome, Italy - August 2024 - More than 150 delegates and social communication experts gathered in the morning of Friday, 2 August 2024 at the inauguration of the World Conference on Social Communication "Shaping Tomorrow", promoted by the Social Communication Sector of the Salesian Congregation and the Faculty of Social Communication Sciences of the Salesian Pontifical University (UPS). Those present, gathered at the Aula Magna of the UPS, were able to listen to the welcome messages and introductory speeches by Fr Maciej Makuła, main coordinator of the event; of the Rector Magnificus of UPS, Fr Andrea Bozzolo; of Fr Gildasio Mendes, General Councillor for Social Communication; and finally of the Rector Major of the Salesians of Don Bosco, Card. Ángel Fernández Artime.
PHOTO GALLERY
INTERVIEWS
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Italy – Fr Gildasio Mendes: "Salesians today promote justice, peace and solidarity through social communication"(ANS - Rome) – "Salesians today promote justice, peace and solidarity through social communication". This was stated by the Salesian Congregation's General Councillor for Social Communications, Fr Gildasio Mendes, during an interview conducted by Fr João Carlos Ribeiro and journalist Jocasta Pimentel from "FM Don Bosco" radio station in Fortaleza, in the Province of Recife, Btrazil (BRE), during a break in the "Shaping Tomorrow" World Congress held in Rome from 1 to 7 August 2024. Below is an extensive summary of the interview, the full audio of which was broadcast by the "Tempo de Paz" radio program and the full text of which is available in the Portuguese version of the article.
EDITORIAL
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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
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Spain – 2024 Pastoral and Theological Updating(ANS – Santiago de Compostela) – The two Provinces of the Salesians of Don Bosco in Spain, Saint James the Greater (SSM) and Mary Help of Christians (SMX), are organising their Theological and Pastoral Updating meetings this year for the second part of July. This is an event that has become traditional, organised by the Formation Delegates of both Provinces, and aimed mainly at cultivating spirituality and ongoing formation among Salesians throughout the country.
SPECIAL REPORTS
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Peru – From dreams to jungle: a spiritual and cultural journey in the unknown Kuyuntsa(ANS - Kuyuntsa) – Several decades ago, young Salesian missionary Luis (Luigi) Bolla left his life in Italy, driven by an inner voice that called him to explore lands unknown to him, but known to God. "You will have to walk a long way, carrying my Word," said the mysterious character who would change the course of his life.
MESSAGES OF THE RECTOR MAJOR
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Between Admiration and PainTHE MESSAGE OF THE RECTOR MAJOR, Cardinal Ángel Fernández Artime
I cordially greet all Don Bosco’s friends who come here with interest. Today, I greet you for the last time from this page. As of August 16, the day on which we commemorate Don Bosco’s birth (August 16, 1815), my service as Rector Major of the Salesians of Don Bosco ends. There’s always a reason to give thanks, always. Thank you! Thank you—to God, above all, to the Congregation and Salesian Family, to so many dear people, and to so many friends of Don Bosco’s charism, many of them benefactors.