Good to know
Basilicas: 4 interesting facts to know
The name basilica derives from the Greek βασιλική (phonetically basilikè), a word meaning "royal" or "regal", an ellipse of the complete expression basilikè oikìa, which means "royal house".
The Pope is the only person who has the power to grant the title of basilica to a temple.
The Salesian presence in Africa
The Salesians arrived in Africa (Algeria) in 1891.
In 1893 the FMA also started their activities in Africa with a center in Algeria.
A young and international Congregation
The Salesian Congregation shows a decrease in the number of newly professed: 102 less than in 1996.
However, there is a generational change and the head office database indicates that:
Salesians and novices under 35 are 3,355;
those over 75 are 2,751.
(data updated to 31 December 2017)
Towards the Synod for the Amazon: some data
The Synod of Bishops for the Pan-Amazonian Region will be held in the Vatican from 6 to 27 October this year.