PHOTO GALLERY
Harvey, United States - April 2021 - "Art at school: the faces of innocence" is a photographic exhibition created by the non-profit organization Besharat Arts Foundation, with the aim of raising awareness among children of different peoples and cultures. One of the first US Catholic schools to host the event is the "St. Rosalie ”, where Fr Mark Hyde, SDB, former director of Salesian Missions, the Salesian Mission Office of New Rochelle, works. “This exhibition will increase students' observation and interpretation skills,” writes Fr Hyde. “It will also help them develop an awareness of the historical context and develop critical thinking skills. Students' reflections on art will be sent to Mr. Massoud Besharat, owner of the exhibition. We are very grateful to him for his generosity and for the insight into what this exhibition can foster in our students.”
Vatican City - April 2021 – Again this year, the celebration of Easter was marked by the restrictions of the pandemic. However, in the most solemn liturgy of the year, in a still half-empty St. Peter's Basilica, Pope Francis exhorted not to lose hope and to have faith in rebirth. After the Mass, the Pontiff gave the traditional Urbi et Orbi blessing. In his message, there was a strong appeal to share vaccines with the poorest countries, to remove restrictions on religious freedom and to put an end to too many wars and violence. A strong message, under the banner of peace and hope. A theme, that of hope, which the Holy Father had already invoked during the Via Crucis on Friday 2 April: a Via Crucis with the meditations and prayers of the little ones, to whom the Pope's caress reached.
In Salesian works all over the world, Palm Sunday was celebrated yesterday, 28 March, with which Holy Week opens. Many faithful, in compliance with the anti-Covid rules of their respective countries, participated in the traditional blessing of palm and olive branches, in the procession and in the Holy Mass. Here are some of the most beautiful shots, immortalized by Salesians from all over the world and also shared through their social channels, which show how this important day was celebrated.
Iraq - March 2021 - Pope Francis' 33rd international trip, this last to Iraq which has just ended, a land from which the Pontiff's heart will never stray far. The Journey, under the banner of the Gospel motto "You are all brothers", began on March 5th. It was a long-desired pilgrimage, to embrace a people who have suffered enormously, but who have also developed a great desire for redemption and a future of peace. There were many significant moments of this historic visit: the meeting with the great ayatollah al Sistani in Najaf, the prayer against the war in Mosul, the embrace of the Christians of the Nineveh plain and, of course, the Mass in Erbil in the stadium Hariri. “Salam, salam, salam! God bless you all! God bless Iraq”: with these words, Pope Francis greeted Iraq and the many faithful who welcomed him.