NEWS
(ANS - Rome) - To encourage the spiritual preparation of all Salesians in view of the 29th General Chapter (GC29) of the Congregation - to be held in Turin-Valdocco from 16 February to 12 April 2025, on the theme "PASSIONATE FOR JESUS CHRIST, DEDICATED TO THE YOUNG PEOPLE - a musical version of the official prayer of the Chapter has been produced, which takes its cue from the first verse of the prayer and is titled "Good Father". The music for the prayer was composed by the 29th General Chapter Regulator himself, Fr Alphonse Owoudou, in a very special and innovative way: using Artificial Intelligence (AI).
(ANS – Santo Domingo) – The Salesian Don Bosco Foundation in the Dominican Republic, the Rica Foundation and the Pedro Henríquez Ureña National University (UNPHU) signed a collaboration agreement on Thursday, 4 July 2024, with the aim of promoting common projects and activities for the development of young people and society in general. The signing ceremony was held at the UNPHU campus.
(ANS – La Valletta) – On 2-3 July the Executive Secretary of Don Bosco International (DBI) attended the Eurochild Network Convention on “Fostering Rights Based Solutions to Tackle Child Poverty and Social Exclusion across Europe”, hosted by Eurochild and The Malta Foundation for the Wellbeing of Society in Malta.
PHOTO GALLERY
INTERVIEWS
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Portugal – Interview with the Rector Major of the Salesians, Cardinal Ángel Fernández Artime
(ANS – Fatima) - During his visit to Portugal for the National Day of the Salesian Youth Movement and the Pilgrimage of the Salesian Family to Fatima, Cardinal Ángel Fernández Artime, Rector Major of the Salesian Congregation, gave a brief interview to the Salesians in Portugal, in which he talks about the importance of young people in the Salesian charism, the current challenges of the Congregation and its prospects for the future.
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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Italy – Study conference: "The lengthy term of governance of an educational institute 1881-1924"
(ANS – Rome) – A study conference called "The lengthy term of governance of an Educational Institute 1881-1924" was held in Rome at the General House of the Sisters. It was promoted by the Institute of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians (FMA) and the "Auxilium" FMA Study Centre of the Pontifical Faculty of Educational Sciences, on Saturday, 8 June 2024, aimed at exploring the figure of Mother Catherine Daghero (1856-1924), FMA. A figure of great importance and significance for the FMA Institute – of which she was Mother General for 43 years, from the age of 25 until her death – but little known within the Salesian Family itself.
SPECIAL REPORTS
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United States - World Youth Skills Day: Salesian Missions highlights educational initiatives
(ANS – New Rochelle) - Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco, joins humanitarian organizations and the international community in celebrating World Youth Skills Day, celebrated on July 15 each year since 2014. The United Nations designated the day as a way to bring greater awareness of the importance of technical and vocational education and training, as well as the development of other skills relevant to both local and global economies.
MESSAGES OF THE RECTOR MAJOR
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WHEN AN EDUCATOR TOUCHES HIS CHILDREN’S HEART— OR THE ART OF BEING LIKE DON BOSCO
THE MESSAGE OF THE RECTOR MAJOR, Cardinal Ángel Fernández Artime
The art of being like Don Bosco: “Remember that education is a matter of the heart, of which God alone is the master, and that we can achieve nothing unless God teaches us the art and hands us the key” (The Biographical Memoirs of Saint John Bosco, XVI, 376).