Colle Don Bosco, Italy – August 2024 – The fourth day’s highlight at the Salesian Youth Synod was a profoundly inspiring presentation by Fr. Michael Pace on the three charismatic dreams of St. John Bosco, which have significantly shaped the Salesian mission. Fr. Michael brought to life Don Bosco's visionary experiences, starting with the first dream in 1824, where the seed of his life’s mission was planted. He then recounted the second dream in 1844, in which Mary revealed the future site for the basilica, and the third dream in 1886, envisioning his Salesians spreading their mission from Valparaiso to Peking.
Fr. Michael emphasized that these dreams were far more than mere visions; they were divine communications that guided Don Bosco's life and mission, with Mary consistently playing a central role. To enhance his presentation, Fr. Michael utilized the symbolically rich paintings of Spanish artist Javier Carabaño, which deeply resonated with the delegates and vividly illustrated the transformative power of Don Bosco’s dreams. Through his talk, Fr. Michael highlighted how a single dream can pave the way for many others, echoing Don Bosco’s journey from his childhood dream to becoming a priest, founding the Oratory of St. Francis de Sales, and establishing the Salesian Congregation. Participants were encouraged to reflect on their own dreams, discerning how they might align with God's plans to unlock greater fulfilment and opportunities in their lives. The presentation served as a powerful reminder of the importance of dreams in guiding one's path and the profound impact they can have when aligned with divine purpose.
Colle Don Bosco, Italy – August 2024 - The Conclusion of the Salesian Synod of the Youth, which coincides with the birthday of Don Bosco has been the moment during which Cardinal Ángel Fernández Artime will celebrate his last mass as the Rector Major of the Salesians of Don Bosco and at the end of which will handover his charges to his vicar Fr Stefano Martoglio. This mass which is a historical moment will be highly attended by a great number of young people and Salesians from all over the world, is scheduled to begin at 10.00 am and will be livestreamed on ANS Youtube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/live/SrqeJJ2rM7E.
(ANS – Colle Don Bosco) - The third day of the Salesian Youth Synod was filled with interesting activities that left the young people bubbling with energy and enthusiasm. The group activities, the assembly, the magic show and the sharing made the day memorable and fruitful.
Turin, Italy – 11 August 2024 – Presiding over the Eucharist with young men and women at the Salesian Synod of Young People, on Sunday, 11 August, Card. Ángel Fernández Artime officiated at his last Mass as Rector Major in the Basilica of Mary Help of Christians in Turin. At the end of the celebration, the 10th Successor of Don Bosco also placed his signature in the register of bishops and cardinals at the sanctuary and basilica, in memory of this historic circumstance.
(ANS – Castelnuovo Don Bosco) – The second day of the Salesian Youth Synod 2024 unfolded in the serene and historically rich setting of Colle Don Bosco, the birthplace of St John Bosco and the very place where he had his life-changing dream at the age of nine. This idyllic countryside, where little John Bosco once played and worked in the fields, provided the perfect backdrop for the day’s reflections, allowing the young participants to immerse themselves in the context that shaped Don Bosco’s early life and inspired his profound vision for youth.
Turin, Italy – August 2024 – On the evening of Wednesday, 7 August, all 27 Salesian prenovices from Salesian Provinces in Europe met in Valdocco, Turin to begin a formation course in three days time on Salesian places and to promote mutual knowledge on the eve of the beginning of their novitiate in September. The Salesian contributions were led by Fr Enrico Lupano, from the Colle Don Bosco community. The prenovices came from: Austria (1); North Africa Circumscription (1); Croatia (10); Piedmont and Valle d 'Aosta Special Circumscription (1); Italy-Lombard Emiliana (2); Northeast Italy (3); Poland-Warsaw (1); Poland-Piła (2); Slovakia (3); Slovenia (2); Greek-Catholic Ukraine (1). The young people who will enter the novitiate at Colle Don Bosco have experienced a 6-week Italian language course. As a further phase of this preparation for the novitiate, the involvement of the prenovices in the Salesian Youth Synod (11-16 August 2024) on the occasion of the Bicentennial of Don Bosco's Dream at Nine Years of Age is also included. The animation of these different periods was coordinated by Fr Guido Errico, from the Formation Sector.