Death, RIP - Requiescat in pace, Salesian Family
15 September 2021 (ANS – Rome) – At 7 am today, 15 September, Ángel Fernández Fernández, the father of our Rector Major, Fr Ángel Fernández Artime, breathed his last after a long illness. Born in Luanco, Asturias, Spain, on 12 June 1932, he passed away after 89 years of life and 61 years of marriage, by the side of his mother Isabel Artime. The Rector Major, had a deep attachment to his father and recalls with affection some of his significant traits: “Every day, when the weather was good, he would go to see ‘his sea’. He started working as a fisherman at the age of 13 and continued until he was 78, accompanying and helping another young fisherman”. “He was a serene and calm man, with qualities that he might have acquired from his many hours spent alone at sea. He was simple, good-hearted, and very much committed to the family, and did not look for anything much to be happy. He was a tireless worker, and I feel like a novice in front of the master, when I compare myself to him,” added Don Ángel. Talking about the spiritual life of his father he stated: “Since he had retired from work, he used to everyday go to the Church, to pay a visit to the Lord and give his daily euro for charity to the poor. He went to Mass almost every day and on 30 August he was also present with me at the Eucharist and at the Novena to the Virgin of Covadonga”. The funeral will take place tomorrow, 16th September, in the parish of Santa... read more
Ad maiorem Dei gloriam and the salvation of souls!, ADMA, Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, Children, Devotion to Mary, Family MInistry, Mary Help of Christians, Salesian Family Gatherings, Teens and Young Adults
By ADMA EAO Congress Steering Committee ADMA EAO, 13 September 2021 — After a long and involved preparation since January 2020, the Second EAO ADMA Congress (online) was a true rich and inspiring charismatic experience. On 11-12 September (3 hours each day) several hundred ADMA members, their spiritual animators (SDB and FMA), SDB provincials, young Salesians in formation and other members of the Salesian Family came together to pray, deepen their identity, interact and get to know each other better. Praying together On Sunday (Day 2) the beautiful animated Rosary prayer in 6 languages (Tagalog, English, Vietnamese, Thai, Japanese and Cebuano) with amazing Marian songs in the respective languages. The opening prayer was offered in Tok Pisin and Motu (PNG) and final prayer was in Thai. Youtube presents these prayers. Getting to know each other better Through the professionally and wholeheartedly prepared ADMA life video sharing, we learn of ADMA faith experience (TLS), a young ADMA voice (FIS), stories of starting experiences (KOR, INA, VIE), the long and rich history of devotion to Mary Help of Christians in the Philippines (FIN). At the end of each day the participants split in smaller groups according languages to share their challenges and personal faith and vocation experience (What changed in my life after following the ADMA vocation?) Animating by ADMA World President and Spiritual Animator The peak of both Congress days was the formation talk offered from Valdocco-Turin (Italy) by Fr. Alejandro Guevara and Mr Renato Valera. After their talks was... read more
Ad maiorem Dei gloriam and the salvation of souls!, Events / Calendar, Salesian Cooperators, Salesian Family Gatherings
PLEASE SEE DETAILS AND THE NOTE FROM OUR PROVINCIAL FORMATOR BELOW THE IMAGES: Dear fellow Salesian Cooperators and Delegates, I hope this announcement finds you well, safe, and healthy. I am glad that the first opportunity I have to reach all of you is to share the following invitation. The Councilors for the Interamerica Region of the Association of Salesian Cooperators had planned to celebrate an in-person Regional Formation Congress this year in Honduras. Due to the pandemic, they made the choice to celebrate the Congress virtually instead. This is an invitation for everyone to attend. Local Councilors, at least Coordinators, Formators, and Delegates, are particularly invited to take part in the Congress. Theme: “Called to Be the Salt and Light of the Young” Speakers: Antonio Boccia, World Coordinator; Raul Fernandez, World Formator; and Sr. Lucrecia Uribe, FMA, World Delegate. Date: Sunday, September 26, 2021 Time: 10:00 am EDT; 9:00 am CDT A link for the Zoom meeting is coming soon! The session will be recorded due to the difficulty with the hour for many. It is very hard to find a time good for those from the Pacific Coast to Italy! After the Congress, a series of formation sessions will be held monthly with participation from every Province in our Region. Please see below for a link to the registration form that you can fill out virtually. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me at: formator@salesiancooperatorsusaeast.org Link to registration:https://forms.gle/FMcjHJpgmkjoWW4X8 PVA Statutes. Art. 29§2. The Association promotes and supports personal and group formation through the action of qualified Salesian Cooperators, Delegates, and other members of the... read more
Ad maiorem Dei gloriam and the salvation of souls!, Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, Children, Devotion to Mary, Events / Calendar, Family MInistry, Marian Shrine, Rosary, Sacraments, Salesian Family, Teens and Young Adults
We Salesians at the Marian Shrine in Stony Point, NY, are moving forward in being proactive and organizing events that center on our common core – youth and devotion to Mary – especially the Help of Christians. We present the following new opportunities to you in order that you may keep us in your prayers and if you are in the NY/NJ area it would be great if you could participate especially in bringing groups of young people in your apostolate to these spiritual opportunities. October 9th: Our Lady of Fatima Statue will visit the Marian Shrine. Eucharistic Adoration begins at 1:30 pm at our Mary, Help of Christians Outdoor Altar Procession with the Blessed Sacrament to Our Lady of the Rosary Statue Recitation of the Holy Rosary. Our desire is to make sure that young people are an important part of this event since we are Salesians. October 23rd: Rise Up! Lowly but Chosen – Mini-conference for youth and young adults (14-22) from 6:00 to 9:00 pm. We will have this event in our Youth Center Gym – a live band, testimonies, and motivational speakers, Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and the opportunity for Confession. This event is $20.00 per person. The Registration and payment is done right through our www.marianshrine.org website with a ‘hot button’. Click here for a downloadable flyer for Rise... read more
Anniversary Celebrations, Events / Calendar, Peace
A survivor stands in front of the wreckage of the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001 (AFP or licensors) VATICAN TERRORISM ANNIVERSARY PEACE UNITED STATES ATTACK The Legacy of 9/11 Twenty years on from the terrorist attack that changed the course of history. By Alessandro Gisotti What remains 20 years after the bloodiest attack in history? First and foremost, an immense sense of loss. In those terrible hours of September 11, 2001, the lives of three thousand people were cut short. Mothers, fathers, children and friends were torn forever from the embrace of their loved ones. Lives cut short by a murderous madness that made real something hitherto unimaginable: turning airliners into missiles to sow death and destruction. In the 20 years since that tragic morning on the East Coast of the United States, young people have grown up orphaned and parents continue to mourn children who never came home. What strikes us, today as then, as we scroll through the names of the victims are the more than 70 nationalities to which they belong. It was thus an attack on the United States, but at the same time on the whole world, on all humanity. This is how it felt in those frantic hours and perhaps even more so in the days that followed as the immense scale of the tragedy became clearer. “Never Forget” is the admonition that stands out today at the Ground Zero Memorial. Two words that have been repeated countless times over the last 20 years to underline the fact that memory cannot and must not fail when the pain is so great.... read more
a current event, Ad maiorem Dei gloriam and the salvation of souls!, Salesian Past Pupils, Salesian Saints, Salesian Sisters
Mariacristina Cella Mocellin, FMA Past Pupil, is Venerable 06 September 2021 (ANS – Vatican City) – On 30 August 2021, Pope Francis recognized the heroic virtues of the Servant of God Mariacristina Cella Mocellin, a lay faithful and mother of a family born on 18 August 1969, in Monza (Italy). From 1982 to 1987, Mariacristina attended the Linguistic High School at Mary Help of Christians School of Cusano Milanino (MI), then run by the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians of the Lombard Province of the Holy Family (ILO). During her school years, Mariacristina manifests herself as a serene and positive girl, open to everyone. In the classroom she is a strong but discreet presence. A friend of hers says of her, “Cheerful and playful, she was determined, she did not compromise on her values. She was a recognized authority among us, but always ready to serve.” The imprint of the Salesian charism is present in her commitment as animator of the oratory and catechist at “Holy Family” Parish of Cinisello Balsamo where she lived, so much so that in her Diary she notes some of Don Bosco’s principles on education. Struck by a sarcoma in her left leg, after surgery and therapy, she is back in the classroom, scarred by the disease, smiling, and eager to recover. “Not one absence more than necessary. Will, decision, awareness, and a desire not to weigh on others, she was never closed in on itself,” testifies an FMA teacher. “Her attitude came from an inexplicable inner strength, which was later revealed in her Spiritual Journal. Cristina never did anything extraordinary, but always did... read more
a current event, Ad maiorem Dei gloriam and the salvation of souls!, Salesian News, Salesian Saints
06 September 2021 (ANS – Rome) – On Wednesday at the Casa Don Bosco Museum Fr Á.F. Artime inaugurated two rooms dedicated to the Saints, Blessed, Venerable and Servants of God of the Salesian Family. The opening of these two new rooms represents the completion of the definitive layout of the Don Bosco House Museum. In one hall there will be a larger space dedicated to the figure of Saint Maria Domenica Mazzarello, together with other glorified members of the Salesian Family (the martyrs of Poznam and Spain, the blessed Artemide Zatti, Alberto Marvelli, Zeffirino Namuncurà and Alexandrina Da Costa). In the second room, 32 display cases will commemorate the memory of various Salesians, Daughters of Mary Help of Christians, Salesian Cooperators, Past Pupils, consecrated persons and lay people of the Salesian Family who lived the charism of Don Bosco in a luminous way. “A contemporary installation will also show the great tree of the Salesian Family, germinated by the spiritual intuition and heart of the Saint of the young. The showcases are of particular interest as they contain personal objects and writings of those who have embodied the spirituality and pedagogy of Valdocco in an extraordinary way,” explained Fr Cristian Besso, the Rector of Valdocco – with Museum Director, Stefania De Vita. Present at the inauguration were the Central Delegate of the Rector Major for the Secretariat of the Salesian Family, Fr Joan Lluis Playá; Fr Giuseppe Costa, Co-spokesperson of the Salesian Congregation; Fr Leonardo Mancini, Provincial of the Special Circumscription -ICC “Italy – Piedmont and Valle d’Aosta”; the Director of the Museum, Stefania de Vita, who moderated the... read more
Death, Salesian Family, Salesian News, Salesians of Don Bosco, SDB - RIP
02 September 2021 (ANS – Rome) – Fr Eusebio Muñoz, SDB, passed away at noon yesterday, 1 September 2021, at the “San Carlos” Clinical Hospital in Madrid. He was the Director of the Salesian Mission Office in Madrid and the former Central Delegate of the Rector Major for the Secretariat of the Salesian Family. After defeating Covid-19 a few months ago, he suffered a stroke and developed subsequent infection, which ultimately led to his death. With 76 years of age, 59 years of Salesian life and 49 years of priesthood, a Salesian with a capital “S” has left us. He was a man endowed with an overwhelming personality and great intelligence, who was and remains loved as a father from the many people lucky enough to to have lived with him. Fr Muñoz was born on 26 December 1944 in Pozoblanco, a Spanish town near Córdoba where the Salesian charism has ancient roots and which penetrated deeply into the soul of the young Eusebio. He completed his novitiate in San José del Valle and made his first profession on 16 August 1962 and his perpetual profession on July 26, 1968 and was ordained a priest on July 22, 1972. Many houses in his Salesian Province of origin, dedicated to Saint Dominic Savio and based in Cordoba, witnessed his vocational enthusiasm. Over the years, he was Director in Ronda, Montilla, of the aspirantate of Cordoba, in Sanlúcar la Mayor, in Granada-Cartuja. Also, he served as Novice Master, Delegate for Youth Ministry and Vocation Animation, Delegate for the Salesian Family, served as a Formator, a Provincial Vicar and Provincial during 1990-1996.... read more
Accompaniment, Ad maiorem Dei gloriam and the salvation of souls!, Films, Salesian Spirituality, Salesian Youth Movement, Serving Others, Teens and Young Adults
Don Bosco Global Youth Film Festival Reaching out the young to become ambassadors of hope Don Bosco Global Youth Film Festival (DBGYFF) is the first worldwide festival from the Salesian Congregation to unite all our young people globally to come together on a common project where they can express their creative talents and be rewarded. This festival is our own festival, and is a precious opportunity to make the name of Don Bosco resonate in the 134 countries where we are present, especially in the hearts and minds of the young people. The festival screening will take place on Thursday and Friday, 18 & 19 of November 2021. DBGYFF is structured as a creative global platform, through which young people from all over the world can showcase and build their dreams and aspirations. Inspired by the Strenna of our Rector Major, “Moved by hope”, it is a clarion call to encourage young people to become ambassadors of hope, and agents of transformation in our society. This film festival is indeed a gracious opportunity to go closer to the young, to encourage them and motivate them towards the common good. It is an excellent tool to focus on what matters to the young, to educate and empower them. This festival will offer an authentic entertainment and a meaningful engagement among the young, generating lot of enthusiasm, and co-responsibility in them. DBGYFF represents a concrete and creative response to the educational objectives laid down in the Rector Major’s plan for this sessenium (2020-2025) and that of the plans of the Dicastery for Social Communication. Here are a few salient points: t is... read more
Ad maiorem Dei gloriam and the salvation of souls!, Salesian Family, Salesian Spirituality
(ANS – Rome) – “Volti di uno stesso carisma. Salesiani e Figlie di Maria Ausiliatrice nel XX secolo” (Faces of the same charism. Salesians and Daughters of Mary Help of Christians in the 20th century – ACSSA, studi 10, Rome LAS 2021): this is the title of the very recent volume edited by Salesian scholars Francesco Motto and Grazia Loparco, which collects 48 profiles of SDB and FMA among those presented by members of the Associazione Cultori di Storia Salesiana (Association for the Study of Salesian History) and other lay researchers in the five previous continental seminaries (Slovakia, India, Thailand, Kenya, Argentina). The preface by prof. Giorgio Chiosso, who offers an extensive introduction to the editors of the volume, the multi-color attachments, indexes of people and places in the volume are very illuminating and useful. The peculiarity of the profiles presented is that of involving people who, due to the importance of the works in place, have contributed to writing significant and innovative pages of Salesian history without however rising to levels of general notoriety. They worked in various ways, both for the background wherein they took root, and for the ability to remain faithful to the unique Salesian charism without renouncing personal initiatives, originality of solutions, flexibility of practical actions calibrated on the needs of local realities, in some case with also considerable entrepreneurial skills. We find a hard, long result of work involving archival excavation on the biographical pieces of priests, two bishops, brothers, nuns, who as a whole allow the reconstruction “from the base” of the presence and evolution of Don Bosco’s charism in the world: from Poland to Sicily passing... read more
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