NEWS PHOTOS
La Paz, Bolivia – July 2024 - The National Leaders School 2024 has concluded successfully, after five intense days of formation, workshops and participatory dynamics. More than 170 young leaders from different Salesian works in Bolivia, gathered at the Don Bosco Fátima retreat house to share experiences and acquire new knowledge. The workshops dealt with a series of crucial issues for youth development and leadership, including the Preventive System, evangelisation through social networks and the creation of ecological leadership projects, inspired by the encyclical Laudato si'. The participants had the opportunity to interact with experts and facilitators in each area, who encouraged them to apply what they learned in their work. The event culminated with a significant ceremony presided over by Fr Henry Córdova, Provincial Delegate for Youth Ministry. During the sending Mass, Fr Córdova urged young people to reaffirm their vocation to service and to be bearers of hope and positive change as Salesian leaders. As a symbolic gesture, each young person was given a candle which represents the light that is called to be in their works and in society. The National Leadership School has not only provided practical tools for youth leadership, but has also strengthened teamwork, fostering a spirit of collaboration and solidarity. It is expected that the fruits of this experience will be reflected in the promotion of youth initiatives that contribute to the pastoral development of their works.
Jakarta, Indonesia – July 2024 – On 18 July on the occasion of the monthly Online Meeting of Economers in the Salesian Vice-Province of Indonesia (INA), Fr Boedirahardjo Soerjonoto, Economer of the Vice-Province, invited Fr M.C. George Menamparampil to participate. The seven economers from different Salesian communities in Indonesia benefited greatly from his intervention. Fr Menamparampil founded BOSCONET which focuses on fundraising by generous-hearted Indians to support marginalised communities served by the Salesians of Don Bosco. The Salesian Provinces in India operate more than 300 schools, 52 colleges and 123 vocational and technical education institutions. Fr Menamparampil stressed the importance of awareness of the great tasks of the economers in managing what has been given by the Lord through generous Salesian Benefactors. He also spoke of the changes in the world economic situation that have led to the loss of aid from abroad and the need for each Province to become self-sufficient as soon as possible.
Rome, RMG – July 2024 - On 18 July in the Salesian Headquarters, Fr Pierluigi Cameroni, Postulator General for the Causes of Saints of the Salesian Congregation, met Fr John Zosiama, Superior of the Province of Shillong, India (INS) and Fr Sebastian Kuricheal, Superior of the Province of Guwahati, India (ING). During the meeting, Fr Cameroni informed the two Provincials about the cause for canonisation of the two Salesian Servants of God: Fr Costantino Vendrame and Bishop Orestes Marengo. The reports of the diocesan inquiry have already been approved and submitted to the Vatican for further investigation by a team of theologians, historians, cardinals and bishops. Once this investigation is completed, the decree on the venerability of these two Servants of God will be promulgated and hey will be entitled "Venerable". Fr Cameroni said he was deeply touched and inspired by the lives of these two holy missionaries as he read all the accounts. He asked the two Provincials to encourage and spread devotion to these two holy figures in north-east India involving the whole Church and the faithful as they made an indispensable and unique contribution to the growth of the Church in this region. The diocesan investigation process for Fr Vendrame had already begun on 19 August 2006. The Provinces of Shillong and Guwahati sincerely thank Fr Mawrie Barnes , postulator of the diocesan inquiry, for his interest and hard work for this noble cause. We continue to spread devotion to these two Servants of God and pray fervently that the process can proceed smoothly.
Giffoni, Italy – July 2024 - "The illusion of distance" is the theme of the 54th edition of the Giffoni Film Festival, scheduled from 18 to 28 July 2024. Also confirmed are the 35 participants in the C.G.S. Training Camp (Cinecircoli Giovanili Socioculturali - National Association of Film Culture promoted by the CNOS and CIOFS Bodies), adult managers, animators and young people of the two C.G.S. Percorsi Creativi juries who will be present at the international film festival in Giffoni Valle Piana (SA) starting on Saturday 20 July. Since the last edition, the presence of C.G.S. has made it possible to set up two Juries: one for the +13 section, which has had them present since 2007, and one for the +16 category, which testifies to the fact that CGS jurors grow and undergo a training course with repercussions on those who enter later, not only stopping at the emotional adhesion that the experience inevitably triggers. Finding themselves from all over Italy with groups from Ancona, Civitavecchia, Genoa, Padua, Taranto and Cagliari, young people and leaders will experience a "permanent workshop" in Giffoni made of viewing and evaluation of the films in competition for the two C.G.S. Creative Pathways Awards, web journalism of documentation, seminars and team building courses. Starting from the Marche coordination of the CGS-Sentieri di Cinema project, the group of formators who will lead the experience this year has become the expression of several regional associations (Marche, Lazio, Veneto, Sardinia, Liguria, Puglia), in a network that sees the constant organisational and design presence of the C.G.S. national presidency.