NEWS
(ANS - Araçatuba) - According to one study, the Universities of Brazil have just 28 students per 1,000 inhabitants. The number of students is small compared to universities in Latin America. But the most worrying thing is that out of 100 students, only 50 complete their studies. This has prompted a columnist named Aldo Guadagni to ask: "Who cares about the future employment of the young people of today in the difficult globalized world?" The Salesians ask: "Who cares about the religious dimension in the University?" Few universities have the courage to live the religious dimension. The Salesian University has tried to live the Year of Mercy by organizing a meeting with university students which they call the “Mercy Camp”.
(ANS - New Delhi) - International diplomatic efforts for the release of Fr Tom Uzhunnalil continue. The Catholic Bishops Conference of India (CBCI) in a letter sent last Tuesday, made a specific appeal to the Indian government to take all possible means to secure the release of the Salesian priest from his captors. In the same letter, the prelates also confirm that the Holy See is also at work through its diplomatic channels.
(ANS - Bogotá) - "When it happens that a Salesian dies working for souls the Congregation has won a great triumph" (see MB XVII, 273). The truth of this can be seen from the letter that the President of Colombia, Juan Manuel Santos, sent to Fr Jaime Enrique Alfonso Morales, Provincial of the Province of Bogota. In it he expresses his sorrow and laments "from the heart the death of the Salesian Fr Javier de Nicolò, an exemplary priest and educator, who dedicated his life to transforming the lives of thousands of abandoned young people."
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.