EVENTS
(ANS - Ljubljana) - The joint meeting of the two regional formation commissions of the Region of Central and Northern Europe and the Mediterranean Region took place from 3 to 7 November in Sveti Duh, near Ljubljana. This was the first time that the formation delegates from the Provinces of the two European regions had come together for such a meeting.
(ANS - Rome) - Yesterday, 1 November, Solemnity of All Saints, the ninth "Race of the Saints" took place in the shadow of St Peter's. This is an event that is growing every year. It attracts thousands of dedicated sports enthusiasts who are also committed to solidarity. The 2016 event was divided as always into two races - competitive and non-competitive. The runners numbered more than 6500 - a new record for the event.
(ANS - Rome) – Yesterday 25 October at the Sala Tevere of the Lazio Region in Rome, the "Race of the Saints" was launched. This is by now a traditional event of sport and solidarity. It will take place next Tuesday, 1 November 2016, in Rome, on the occasion of the Solemnity of All Saints. This year the prestigious sporting event in the streets of the historic centre of Rome will be associated with an invitation to mercy. Through the DON BOSCO IN THE WORLD Foundation it aims to support the work of the Salesians in the capital of the Central African Republic, Bangui, the city where Pope Francis opened the Holy Year of Mercy.
(ANS – Rome) – On October 21st and 22nd, at the “Sacred Heart” Salesian House in Rome, Principals and Directors of Salesian Houses meet to revive and relaunch the Salesian scholastic experience between tradition and innovation. The Salesian School meets to read and propose afresh the educational criteria of the Salesian Scholastic Proposal, which focuses on the development of the young in building up their lives by answering their dreams, wishes and opportunities.
(ANS - Rome) – Yesterday, 19 October, marked the inauguration of the Academic Year 2016-17 at the Salesian Pontifical University in Rome. Proceedings commenced at 9.30 a.m. with a Eucharistic celebration at which Fr Ángel Fernández Artime, Rector Major of the Salesians and Grand Chancellor of the UPS, presided. In his homily he called on students, faculty and staff of the University to make it a real home, understood as a "biosphere" characterized by a continuous cultural and educational exchange.
(ANS – Ulaanbaatar) – In June 2016 the Rector Major Fr Ángel Fernández Artime gave approval for a new Salesian work in Mongolia and the Salesians are now happy to open a new mission. On 15 October 2016, on the feast of St Teresa of Avila, Bishop Wenceslao Padilla of Mongolia, introduced the Salesians and the FMA sisters to the local faithful during Mass.
(ANS - Rome) - The inauguration of the 2016-2017 Academic Year of the Salesian Pontifical University will be on Wednesday 19 October. Fr Ángel Fernández Artime, Rector Major of the Salesians and Grand Chancellor of the UPS, and the President of the Chamber of the Senate, Senator Pietro Grasso will be present for the occasion.
(ANS - Rome) - On the occasion of the inauguration of the new academic year at the Salesian Pontifical University (UPS), on Wednesday 19 October, the "Mediterranean Prize 2016 - special edition for Peace Education" will be awarded to the Rector Major of the Salesians, Fr Ángel Fernández Artime, who is also the Chancellor of the University.
Azerbaijan - Pope Francis "wastes time" with the Salesian Family in Baku and encourages the Brothers
(ANS - Baku) - In the spirit of family and with great esteem the Salesians in Baku welcomed Pope Francis to their house on Sunday 2 October. After Mass in the Church of the Immaculate Conception the entire Salesian community in Baku, together with the Provincial from Slovakia, Fr Jozef Izold, sat at table with the Pope and his entourage. Four Daughters of Mary Help of Christians, including Sister Janka Kurkinova the Provincial from Slovakia, served the meal to Pope Francis.
(ANS - Baku) - The meaning of Pope Francis’s visit to the small Catholic community of Azerbaijan - just a few hundred people, with fewer than ten clergy – is to be found in the words he spoke on the plane during the return flight to the Vatican: "I went there for the Catholics in order to go to the periphery of the Catholic community (...). It is really a periphery. It is very small. I said that it reminded me of the small community of Jerusalem, the Church in the Upper Room, waiting for the Holy Spirit (...). As I said, the reality is best seen and better understood from the peripheries than from the centre."