(ANS – Rome) – At the end of the General Council's summer plenary session, the Rector Major of the Salesians of Don Bosco, Cardinal Ángel Fernández Artime, announced the theme of the Strenna for 2025, which will be entitled: "Anchored in hope, pilgrims with young people".
(ANS – Rome) - As is the case every 25 July, in the Spanish National Church of Santiago and Montserrat in Rome, a Mass was celebrated in honour of its patron saint, the Apostle James. This year the ceremony was presided over by Cardinal Ángel Fernández Artime, Rector Major of the Salesians of Don Bosco. In his homily, the Salesian cardinal warned of the "great temptation" that the world has had throughout history: power, which can be overcome through service and witness.
(ANS – Madrid) – In view of the end of the mandate of the Rector Major – scheduled for 16 August 2024, as indicated by the Holy Father Pope Francis – several personalities in the Salesian Family are sharing their personal testimonies on Cardinal Ángel Fernández Artime. Below are the words of three Spanish Salesians who are well acquainted with the 10th Successor of Don Bosco, namely the Councillor for the Mediterranean Region, Fr Juan Carlos Pérez Godoy, the Superior of the Saint James the Greater Province in Spain (SSM), Fr Fernando García, and the Superior of the Mary Help of Christians Province, Spain (SMX), Fr Fernando Miranda.
(ANS – Subiaco) – On the weekend between Friday 19 and Monday 22 July, the Rector Major of the Salesians of Don Bosco, Cardinal Ángel Fernández Artime, and the other members of the General Council went to the house of prayer at San Biagio, near Subiaco, for a weekend of silence and prayer.
RMG - The Rector Major, Cardinal Ángel Fernández Artime, meets the Shillong and Guwahati Provincials
Rome, Italy - July 2024 - On 17 July, at the Headquarters of the Sacred Heart Community, the Rector Major of the Salesians, Cardinal Ángel Fernández Artime, had a special meeting with Fr John Zosiama, Superior of the Salesian Province of Shillong, India (INS) and Fr Sebastian Kuricheal, Superior of the Salesian Province of Guwahati, India (ING). Also present for the occasion were Fr Sunil Barla, new Rector of the Sacred Heart Theological College in Shillong, Fr Ivo Coelho, General Councillor for Formation, and Fr Biju Michael, Councillor for the South Asia Region. The Rector Major discussed some issues with them such as the theological formation of future Salesian priests, the spiritual accompaniment of each candidate, Salesian formation in the theologate, the need for a systematic preparation of good formators and professors, and other important issues for the governance and animation of the Provinces. The two Provincials then met with all the General Councillors and the Heads of the various sectors present at Headquarters. This meeting, organised by Fr Biju Michael, was an opportunity for the two Provincials to congratulate the Rector Major before the end of his term of office on 16 August.
(ANS – San Salvatore Monferrato) – Cardinal Ángel Fernández Artime, Rector Major of the Salesians of Don Bosco, on Sunday, 30 June 2024, was in San Salvatore Monferrato in the diocese of Casale Monferrato, in Piedmont, to remember Salesian Father Carlo Evasio Cavalli, a native of the town of Monferrato, who was the spiritual father of Salesian Brother Artemides Zatti, proclaimed a saint on 9 October 2022. On the occasion, the 10th Successor of Don Bosco, and since last April 20 also Titular Archbishop of Ursona, led a rich program of activities culminating in the dedication of the Via Crucis Way to Saint Artemides Zatti located at the Shrine of the Madonna del Pozzo.
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 Pain
THE 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.