The Club t-shirt of Paranà's "Club Don Bosco" for Pope Francis

Transcription

1 EXALLIEVI N e w s f l a s h YEAR 7 -ISSUE JUNE 2018 Religious and Social magazine of the World Confederation of Ex-students of Don Bosco English Edition The Club t-shirt of Paranà's "Club Don Bosco" for Pope Francis

2 THE VOICE OF THE RECTOR MAJOR Don t forget to pray for us this is what they told me in Syria Dear Friends, Today I speak to you of a gift I received in Syria in Damascus, to be exact on the same day in which a white dove of peace was set free late in the day during the celebration at the oratory. At that very moment a mortar fell right into the same square where, just the evening before, we had been standing with the SDBs and the young animators. We had celebrated our belief that peace was near, as fifteen days had passed with no bombardments and it seemed that everything had finished. But it was not so. Other people have other interests not like those of these simple people with whom I was meeting. They had welcomed us the day before as if they were celebrating a great feast day. They had been hoping for months and months that it would be possible for the Rector Major to visit them and we made it. It was a long trip, but we finally reached the gates of Damascus the first and very significant stop on our journey. There was great joy in that Salesian oratory in Damascus. More than 500 boys and girls, teens, and young adults were there for this evening celebration. Among them there was a group of 150 animators, university students who are the life and the soul of the animation in this oratory which brings together over 1,000 children of all ages from places very remote from the city. This same phenomenon is now happening in Aleppo with the difference that more than 72% of Aleppo has been destroyed and lies in ruins. At the end of Holy Mass in Damascus, they presented me with a gift. They brought me a beautiful stole and said that they hoped it would accompany me when I celebrate Holy Mass in other places around the world. They pointed out to me the words in Arabic that were written on it: «Do not forget to pray for us». This gift and the words on it touched my heart, to the point that I have worn it from that moment on in all the Masses I have said in the very diverse places I have visited: Tijuana, Mexico; Chaco Paraguay; Uruguay; and Rijeka, Croatia. Everywhere, in all the Salesian places where I went, I explained and commented on the encounter I had had in Damascus, the gift, and the request they had made of me. At the same time, I recounted all that I had encountered in those Salesians and Daughters of Mary Help of Christians with whom I spent some days, as well as what I encountered in the truly fascinating young animators and in so many families touched by suffering and so much loss, yet full of life and hope. Do you know what I encountered? From an unforgettable experience is born a message of love and gratitude to the people of Damascus and Aleppo 2 EXALLIEVI Newsflash - 24 june 2018

3 1. I encountered DIGNITY. The dignity of the poor, the dignity of those who feel overwhelmed by a situation not of their creation and in which they did not choose to participate, but in which they are immersed, fully immersed, but unable to choose anything else, or to get out of it until others decide that it should all come to an end. Still, they bear great dignity, with a penetrating gaze that speaks volumes. 2. I encountered MOST BEAUTIFUL AND AFFECTIONATE SMILES. These young animators make a conscious effort to smile for they want the children to find a little oasis in the oratory for those few hours that they can leave behind fear of war, mortars, and destruction. This made me recall to mind the film Life Is Beautiful, in which this wonderful dad helps his son both of whom were imprisoned in a concentration camp along with the mom believe he is participating in a game and an enjoyable adventure, and live as if it were so. Our Salesian confreres and sisters, together with these young animators, are doing everything possible so that the war and its destruction will not have the last word. This is no amusing game as in the film. Still, I noticed that they do not wish to allow the bullets and the destruction to leave their marks on their lives forever. 3. I encountered a great sense of HOPE This is the right word for the sentiment that struck within me when they said to me, Don Angel, we are not afraid because we are filled with Faith and Hope. Then they said that the last word is neither the war nor the destruction. No life, our lives, the faith that we have, and the desire to live and make of this land a beautiful country are the last word. The same young people who told me this also told me, in many cases, that they had lost their home, and that a parent or a brother or sister had fallen and died on account of a bullet which crossed their path. 4. I also discovered that they had a profound sense of COMMUNION AND FRATERNITY. I can assure you that, even if before meeting them, I felt very close to them and held these Salesian confreres and sisters and these precious young people in my heart. After having come to know them, having seen their smiles, and after having received their embraces that expressed so much confidence and so much affection, I now hold them much closer in my heart, and not one day passes in which I do not keep them in my prayers. After these days in Damascus, with sadness and suffering, while more missiles fell there, we traveled to Aleppo. There we met with other Salesian confreres, other FMAs, and more marvelous young people and their families, the children of the oratory, who, as at Damascus, continue to feel there is reason to hope. These were unforgettable encounters, unforgettable moments of prayer and of Salesian Family. Beautiful were the Promises made by thirteen Salesian Cooperators (young adults and mothers of families). I experienced yet again the pain of the loss of their loved ones and of the destruction which is total and complete here in this once beautiful city. Yet I again encountered dignity, strength, hope, and faith. One little detail is missing: on this occasion, there was no gift of a precious stole with a saying in Arabic on it, but something else which I received with emotion as it disarmed me within and left me speechless. I am speaking of the moment in which the director of the house of that Salesian oratory brought before me all the children, young people, and families who had been collecting money for a long time to send to other even poorer places, places undergoing more conflict asking me whether such places existed. They brought to me all that they could, there among their homes lying in ruin. They gave me $ something which seemed to me a veritable treasure just as it did those to whom I brought it in the Salesian oratory at the border in Tijuana. The good people of Tijuana immediately got into contact with their brothers and sisters in Aleppo. The poor understand each other magnificently well because they speak the same language that of true humanity. There you have it, my friends. This is what I experienced in my encounter with those who have not lost their dignity, their hope, or their faith. This caress flies to Damascus and Aleppo, where many hearts will feel its embrace. Don Ángel Fernández Artime Rector Major EXALLIEVI Newsflash - 24 june

4 SUMMARY THE VOICE OF THE RECTOR MAJOR - «Don t forget to pray for us...» 2 Don Ángel Fernández Artime sdb GREETINGS FROM THE PRESIDENT 5 Michal Hort WORLD DELEGATE - Called to be Saints 6 Don Jayapalan Raphael sdb 02 EDITORIAL - We follow Don Bosco s dreams 8 Pierluigi Lazzarini 2018 STRENNA -Let us Cultivate the art of Listening and of Accompaniment 9 LATIN AMERICANO CONGRESS 12 To know, love, promote and defend the Past Pupils Association 05 REGIONS INDIA - Don Bosco on front page The Times of India 14 SPAIN - Regional Council San Francisco Javier 16 EAST TIMOR - Conclusion of ITM Viceprovince Extraordinary Visitation FAMILY - A problem or a source? 18 NEWS VATICAN - The Club t-shirt of Paranà s Club Don Bosco for Pope Francis 20 VATICAN - Salesian Fr Yamanouchi appointed bishop of Saitama 21 URUGUAY - Uruguay President receives Salesian Rector Major 22 CROATIA - Whatever your dreams may be, you will achieve them only by living a friendship with God 23 LAOS - An intensive training course for benefit of poor young people 24 EAST TIMOR - The fruits of Maliana Don Bosco project 25 PERU - "Salesian Sainthood" photo exhibition inaugurated 25 FRANCE - Don Bosco alumni always more innovative! 26 BELGIUM- The silence of slippers is more dangerous than the sound of boots 27 MONGOLIA - First official gathering of Don Bosco Past Pupils in Mongolia 28 REP. DEM. CONGO - Fr Chaquisse inaugurates St Melchiorre chapel 30 HONEST CITIZENS AND GOOD CHRISTIANS GREAT BRITAIN - People s bishop gets Bharat Gaurav Award 31 EAST TIMOR - Don Bosco Alumni and Cristal Foundation 32 INTERVIEW ITALY - Nicolò, a past pupil screenwriter and director 34 BOOKS ITALY - Presentation of Cardinal Bertone s book I miei Papi 36 MARY HELP OF CHRISTIANS ITALY - 150th anniversary of Basilica of Mary Help of Christians on social networks EXALLIEVI Newsflash - 24 june 2018 SALESIAN FAMILY ITALY - World Consultative Body of Salesian Family 38 GERMANY - Don Bosco Family at 101st German Catholic 40 MEXICO - Pilgrimage ogf the Salesian Family 42 STATUTE OF THE WORLD CONFEDERATION 43 SALESIAN CALENDAR 46

5 GREETINGS FROM THE PRESIDENT Dear Past Pupils and Friends of Don Bosco, You are reading the latest edition of Exallievi Newsflash and I am very happy to share with you some of my thoughts. So many things have happened in the last three months. Various meetings, different projects, and several activities, full of joy as well as various challenges. You will find in this edition some of the results from the many dreams of our father Don Bosco. I often contemplate about the vision of Don Bosco, about his strong faith, about his dedication, about his open mind and heart for everyone. About his relationship with God and Mary. I invite you to enjoy reading this edition, to be encouraged and inspired by all that is happening around the world. I invite you to be part of this wonderful project of being a past pupil and friend of Don Bosco, of being part of the Salesian Family, of being the salt of the earth and the light of the world. I would like to thank all those who contributed to our rich content with their lives and example. On the other hand, I would like to encourage all of you who may be struggling in their work and different initiatives. We are all writing our own articles with our lives and our decisions. There are also articles which include our disagreements, our challenges, our struggles, our sacrifices, our temptations... sometimes we are upset by the lack of importance given to our efforts. I would like to say to you all, that your everyday decisions contribute to becoming good Christians, honest citizens, and dedicated sons and daughters of Don Bosco. Our greatness shines through small things. May this edition of Exallievi Newsflash, with its articles, achievements, interviews and news be a means of support and inspiration for all of us to start again and again in our everyday struggle to achieve goodness and integrity. In Don Bosco Michal Hort President EXALLIEVI Newsflash - 24 june

6 WORLD DELEGATE Called to be Saints My dear Past Pupils of Don Bosco, Greetings in the name of Don Bosco. As we are publishing this issue on the Past pupils' day - 24th June - we cannot but be drawn towards the ROOT - ValdocCo. These days I am in Turin. You feel the presence of Don Bosco. When you listen attentively, you hear the voice of Don Bosco speaking to you. Valdocco was the place (factory) of saints. Don Bosco, a great saint himself, had only one focus - forming the young to be saints. In this context, I want to reflect with you on the theme of holiness, central to the recent Apostolic Exhortation by Pope Francis - Gaudete et Exsultate - as much as it was in the life of Don Bosco. Five years after his election, Pope Francis has given us his third Apostolic Exhortation. It is not a philosophical treaty, but is a text with a "simple purpose" of reminding us of the call to holiness. He had already spoken of it in the General Audience on 19th November It is the vocation that unites all and is a gift from above. Everyone - not only bishops, priests and religious - is called to be a saint - a mother or a father, a student or an attorney, a teacher or a receptionist. He reminds us of the call to holiness in the current context, with its risks, challenges and opportunities. In simple and practical words, the Pope tells us that a saintly life is nothing ideal or abstract, but a patient holiness "of the next door", expressed through small gestures. It is an invitation to put God at the centre and to offer with joy every moment of our life, making our lives a gift of love for the people around us. The exhortation of the Pope is timely. It touches our very lives as the past pupils of Don Bosco. The sermon of Don Bosco that touched the hearts of Dominic Savio and his boys on 2nd October 1954 comes to our mind. It contained three points: everybody can become saint; it is easy to become a saint and holiness consists in being cheerful. We can see many similarities between the call of the pope and the call of our Father Don Bosco. I would like to point out three of them. 1. Holiness means being yourself Pope Francis offers us many examples of holy lives throughout the Exhortation: St. Thérèse of Lisieux, the French Carmelite, who found holiness in doing small tasks; St. Ignatius of Loyola, the Jesuit founder who sought to find God in all things; St. Philip Neri, the founder of the Oratories who was renowned for his sense of humour. Don Bosco took the inspiration from all these, particularly St. Philip Neri, saint of the oratory and model of cheerful life. The saints pray for us and give us examples of how to live, but we are meant to be ourselves, and each one is meant to discern his or her our own path and bring out the very best of ourselves. As Thomas Merton said, «For me to be a saint means to be myself». St. Peter gives us in nutshell the way to do it: «Each one lives according to the grace received, putting it at the service of others, as good stewards of a multiform grace of God. He who speaks, do so as in the words of God; he who exercises an office, do it with the energy recei- 6 EXALLIEVI Newsflash - 24 june 2018

7 ved from God, so that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ» (I Peter 4, 10-11). 2. Everyday life can lead to holiness All we need to do is to live our lives in love and bear witness to God in all we do. It also doesn t have to mean big dramatic actions. The Pope sees holiness in everyday occupations: in parents who form their children with love, in men and women who work to bring home bread, in husband and wife taking care of each other, in doing the work honestly and competently and offering time in the service of neighbours, teaching children or grandchildren with passion to know and follow Jesus, as catechist, educator or volunteer, becoming a visible sign of God's love and his presence to those around; at home, on the road, at work, in the church, at any time and in any state of life, going to the market, listening to son at home, spending time in prayer, participating in sunday mass, receiving communion, making confession, praying rosary, on the way to the church seeing a poor needy man, stopping to talk to him and giving him something etc. We do not have to be swooning in mystic rapture to be a saint or walking around with lowered eyes. Nor do we have to withdraw from other people. QWhen Dominic Savio was going around with serious face and making lots of sacrifices in order to become a saint, Don Bosco reminded him: «Here holiness consists in being cheerful». Cheerfulness calls for a balance between action and contemplation, and not being caught up in the rat race of rushing from one thing to another. 3. Be kind and merciful If you can see your own life as a mission, then you soon realize that you can simply be loving and kind to move towards holiness. The Gospel beatitudes, the heart of reflection, are proposed as a positive model of holiness that consists in following the path "in the light of the Master." Patience, meekness, humour, audacity and fervour, life together and constant prayer are described as some of the characteristics of holiness in today's world. We get Pope Francis trademark practical advice for living a life of holiness: don t gossip, stop judging and, most important, stop being cruel. That goes for online actions too since things can be said there that would be unacceptable in public discourse and people look to compensate for their own discontent by lashing out at others. In claiming to uphold other commandments, they completely ignore the eighth, which forbids bearing false witness or lying and ruthlessly vilifying others. You can see the words of Don Bosco to his boys - «growing as good Christians, honest citizens - echoing here.» By following the Beatitudes, a portrait of our Lord Jesus himself, we re called to be poor in spirit, meek, peacemakers, to hunger and thirst for righteousness and so on. Mercy, one of the central themes of his papacy, has two aspects: serving others, and also forgiving and understanding. Pope Francis overall summary of holiness is based on the Beatitude: Seeing and acting with mercy. So my dear friends, I invite all of us at this time of our lives, each of us, to reflect: How have we responded so far to God's call to holiness? Do I want to become a little better human? To be a better past pupil of Don Bosco? Let us courageously move forward on this path of holiness! God Bless you! Fr. Jayapalan Sdb World Delegate Torino Valdocco, 24 May 2018 EXALLIEVI Newsflash - 24 june

8 EDITORIAL We follow Don Bosco's dreams Dear Friends, my scholastic memories (alas far away) are those of a serious Salesian school, severe, but with features of great humanity. Not an overwhelming school, on the contrary I felt her pervaded with healthy joy. It is the unmistakable style that derives from the adoption of a method capable of reconciling the seriousness and rigor of the study with intense human contacts, which then consolidate into firm friendships. Why tale premise? To add even better our Newsflash. We have an editorial product, offered periodically to many nations; a magazine that is slowly representing the Salesian reality and which aims to become an excellent tool to give importance to the work and presence of past pupils in the world. To all his sons Don Bosco was able to flash great projects, if not utopian, and managed to gather around him people and forces in a true and genuine coalition, able to bring together young people to the ends of the earth. When Don Bosco claimed that the Salesian Bulletin was to be seen as the «newspaper of the congregation», or when, in another text, he said that the purpose of the Bulletin is to «make known our things and make them known in their true sense» what did he actually mean? It is a very clear editorial line: «This will serve us to get relief, attracting the affection of people to our institutions». Who is the son of Don Bosco must possess that same capacity to dream, to realize unimaginable projects. One thing is for sure: information is a duty, being informed is a right, but the negation of the two is equivalent to the alienation of consciences. We are all connected, we all communicate and share information, we all contribute to spreading news, and we have a responsibility. The past pupils of Don Bosco were and today are more than ever the prolongation of the work of the Father and his Sons. Achieving certain goals will be less difficult if you do not make us miss your contribution (information, suggestions, proposals), using Newsflash as a living tool for dialogue and exchange. Faithful to our vocation, as committed past pupils we must be present in today's world and try to achieve everywhere and always be "good Christians and honest citizens". Pierluigi Lazzarini 8 EXALLIEVI Newsflash - 24 june 2018

9 2018 S TRENNA Sir, give me this Water (John 4:15) LET US CULTIVATE THE ART OF LISTENING AND OF ACCOMPANIMENT I.- AN ENCOUNTER THAT DOES NOT LEAVE INDIFFERENT: "Listening" I invite you as from now to a calm and meditated reading of the passage known as "the encounter of Jesus with the Samaritan woman". This icon will help us understand how the Lord establishes a relationship with her and what consequences the encounter with Him causes in the life of this woman. A Samaritan woman came to draw water, and Jesus said to her, «Give me a drink». (His disciples had gone to the city to buy food.) The Samaritan woman said to him, «How is it that you, a Jew, ask a drink of me, a woman of Samaria?» (Jn 4:7-9). Jesus and the anonymous Samaritan woman come from two different peoples, who have lived in contrast throughout history and who consider each other radically distant from the ancient faith of Israel. We can affirm that their families considered themselves as enemies from a social, religious and political point of view, and not because they were different, but precisely because they were very similar and at the same time opposed: each one convinced that they were the authentic custodians and guardians of the original religion of ancient Israel. In fact, the two peoples considered each other to be impostors. Here are the protagonists. A Samaritan woman who, arriving at the well, recognizes without any doubt the origin of Jesus. He is a Jew given his characteristic way to dress. For the Samaritan woman, he is a stranger: he is thirsty, has no bucket available, and the water in that deep well is unattainable for him. On the other hand, the woman is not only in front of a stranger; in front of her, from a religious point of view, there is a "rival". At the same time, from what can be understood by the whole story, the woman is a person marked, to say the least, by a dubious reputation, with a situation of "irregular" life. It can be inferred that the woman emotionally feels to be the victim of rejection. Besides, between Jesus and the Samaritan woman, strong ethnic and religious prejudices are interposed: according to EXALLIEVI Newsflash - 24 june

10 2018 S TRENNA the customs of his time, Jesus has a reprehensible and transgressive conduct, for the fact that he asks water from this woman. It is legitimate to suppose that the woman feels safe in front of Jesus, who is not from her village, is unaware of the "failures of her life", and is also part of a similar, even though heretical, religious group. Jesus would not have had the opportunity to get in touch with the Israelite-Samaritan leaders of her community and therefore she had nothing to fear or worry about. From this situation we can draw some elements of great interest for us: the encounter takes place in a profane and "outdoor" place, a well in the middle of the countryside, which will become a place of encounter with God. Jesus, the true protagonist and primary subject of the encounter, of listening and of the initial dialogue, "draws" the strategy of this encounter, beginning by listening to the other person and the situation, which He perceives. The example of the Lord is extremely topical for us. A Form of Listening that is RECEPTION and PERSONAL ENCOUNTER LISTENING is always an art. «We need to practice the art of listening, which is more than simply hearing. Listening, in communication, is an openness of heart which makes possible that closeness without which genuine spiritual encounter cannot occur» 2. It is for this reason that the gift of the word, especially in personal relationships, must have as its counterpart the "wisdom of listening". This listening, which is so important in our mission as Salesian Family, must have as 2 Eg, 171. its starting point the encounter, which becomes an opportunity for human relations and humanisation, lived in complete freedom, «reflecting our closeness and our compassionate gaze which also heals, liberates and encourages growth in the Christian life» 3. In relations with teenagers and young people, with our students, with the families of the different presences, authentic listening will have to take into account some attentions: ~ Encouraging openness to others: an openness with our whole person, for we certainly listen with our ears, but we can also listen to each other, when listening is authentic, with our eyes, mind, heart, with all our being. ~ Paying full attention to what the person communicates and actively engaging in understanding what one wants to communicate, since the foundation of the listening we offer is deep respect for the other person. ~ Accompanying the person, both young and adult, with true concern for what they seek and expect from themselves, with true empathy, which is the opposite of cold and formal courtesy. It is about identifying ourselves with and walking with the other person. ~ Setting aside one's own world in order to get as close as possible to that of the other, with the capability to accompany without interfering. ~ Listening is, in short, the art that requires solicitous attention to people, to their struggles and weaknesses, to their joys, sufferings and expectations. In fact, we do not limit ourselves to listening to something, but we are listening to someone. The pages of the Gospel that narrate the encounters of Jesus with his people are rich in this solicitous attention. 3 Eg, 169. ~ Listening, when it refers to personal spiritual accompaniment, transcends the psychological dimension and acquires a spiritual and religious dimension, since it leads along paths in expectation of Someone. ~ It also requires a certain inner silence, which has as its starting point the acceptance of people as they are and in the situation they find themselves in. ~ Our look as educators, especially for adolescents and young people, and also for their families, assures us that there is a lot of positive in every heart 4 ; we need to bring out these positive aspects. Therefore, listening must mean for us much more than listening patiently; it is making sure that we understand in depth what the persons tell us and why they tell us. It is paying attention to what really concerns the other, teenagers and young people, and their families. Listening must lead us to an adequate understanding of the need of today's young people, and sometimes the need of their parents, or of the people with whom we are in contact in the pastoral environment. In fact, more often than not, young people or their parents, or both, do not approach us in search of accompaniment. On the contrary, they are often driven by some necessities, doubts, problems, emergencies, difficulties, conflicts, tensions, decisions to take and problematic situations to face. And we well know from our own formation of educators and evangelizers that it is more common for them to come close if 4 «Every youngster has something good with him and the first duty of the educator is to look for this point, this sensitive string of his heart». Cf. MB V, 367 e 266, quoted by GC 23, N.º EXALLIEVI Newsflash - 24 june 2018

11 2018 S TRENNA we ourselves make some gestures of rapprochement, if we show some interest in them; if we go and meet them, if we show we are available. These same young people, children of a "scientist" culture, dominated by technology and its world of possibilities, and who belong to an overconnected generation, «look for persons of reference who are able to express empathy and offer them support, encouragement and help in recognizing their limits, but without making them feel they are being judged» 5. This is why, sometimes, these meetings and casual conversations may "open doors" to a deeper and more profound path of growth... This was the case during the encounter of Jesus with the woman, who had gone to the well simply to draw water. Without any claim of suggesting listening techniques, however, I would like to stress that if we want to cultivate the most appropriate attitudes for authentic listening, we must be careful Not to be impatient in speaking instead 5 PD, p.33. of letting the other speak. To be careful not to interrupt the conversation continuously. Not to react in an impulsive way in the face of any disagreement. Not to neglect to pay attention to the person we are listening to. To keep in mind the need we all have to be listened to. It will be equally important in these moments of listening: To give the persons the opportunity to communicate everything they have within themselves, and that can sometimes be a burden or oppression for them. To ask appropriate questions and avoid those that may cause mistrust or conflict. To accept silences with serenity, leaving all the necessary time without filling it with unnecessary advice or questions, because the moments of silence can easily put the other at ease and allow him to reflect on what he is listening to. To make sure that feelings, which are a very important part of every communication, can be "recognized". To avoid loquacity, too many words, and immediate solutions. Let us not forget that in important matters we need time, we need to do a process. I conclude this part dedicated to listening with a reference to Don Bosco. The language we use today to refer to listening (to discernment and accompaniment) undoubtedly shows substantial differences with respect to Don Bosco s cultural and religious context. However, I find the following testimony is very beautiful and makes us understand how his boys and other people felt welcomed and listened to by him: Despite his many and serious occupations, he was always ready to welcome in his room, with a father's heart, those young people who asked him for a special audience. Actually, he wanted them to treat him with great familiarity and never complained for the lack of discretion with which he was sometimes bothered by them... He gave each person full freedom to ask questions, to put forward burdens, defences, apologies... He received them with the same respect with which he treated the great lords. He invited them to sit down on the couch, while he sat at the table, and listened to them with greatest attention as if the things they exposed were all very important 6. Fr Ángel Fernández Artime Rector Major 6 MB VI, (Continue in the next issue) EXALLIEVI Newsflash - 24 june

12 LATIN AMERICAN CONGRESS To know, love, promote and defend the Past Pupils Association Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic - April 2018 From 19 to 22 April, the 13th Latin American Congress of Salesian Past Pupils "CONGRELAT 2018" took place, its main objective to offer concepts and tools for the use of social media and digital marketing, necessary to have a positive impact in today's world. The past pupils of Latin America of Don Bosco met from the 19th to 22nd April 2018 at the XIII Latin-American Congress (Congrelat). It is the first time that the Dominican Republic hosts this event, which takes place every four years in a different country. The theme of the Congress was: "Don Bosco's past pupil of Latin America in the digital age: communication and communion for a more humane and supportive world". The Congress was coordinated by a group of students led by Yeudy Jiménez, head of the young students of the Dominican Federation of Past Pupils. The following objectives were pursued: "Provide participants with the tools necessary to have a positive impact in their respective countries, making good use of the new communication tools and digital marketing". Communication is one of the challenges of the Federations of students in the Latin American and world sphere. Participation in the Congress of about 95 people from 10 Federations of former students: Colombia, Brazil, Guatemala, Panama, Costa Rica, Peru, Argentina, Chile, Ecuador and the Dominican Republic. Each of them has exhibited their cultural riches in the work they do in the Salesian mission and in the Church by the "Local Unions" of their respective Federations. To highlight some of the presentations: "Management of social projects from a secular approach as a social policy", by Altagracia Suriel; "Digital Entrepreneurship", Emmanule Romàn; "Digital Marketing", Valentin Ventura; "The projections of the World Confederation, in order to guarantee the significance, unity and solidarity of past pupil today", Michal Hort, President of the World Confederation of the Past Pupils of Don Bosco; "The origin, identity, levels of adhesion and the mission of the Past Pupils of Don Bosco"; Eduardo Pessoa, regional for America; "The vocation and mission of the family in the Church and in the contemporary world", Alfonso Giraldo, President of the Colombian Federation; "Looking at the past and the present for the future construction", Raphael P. Jayapalan, World Delegate of the Past Pupils; 12 EXALLIEVI Newsflash - 24 june 2018

13 LATIN AMERICAN CONGRESS "Development of the Rules, good use of information and communication technologies (ICT) by members of the Latin American Federations "as a result of the work of the Congress, coordinated by Luis Ventura, President of the Dominican Federation and Fresia Mendez, Youth for the Region of America. Thanks to the reports presented at the Congress, conclusions of great importance have been reached for the past pupils: the advantages of the correct use of social networks in the task of promoting Don Bosco's charism and mission: strengthening and defending the digital identity of former students; visualize the networks as an instrument of evangelization and promotion of value; build a regulation proposal for a good use of social networks and digital marketing; as well as contributing to the human, Christian and Salesian formation of the former Shepherd of Don Bosco in Latin America. On the other hand, Fr. José Pastor Ramirez, Provincial Delegate of the Past Pupils, titled his initial speech: «We implore from God his blessing for a visible and committed Past Pupils Association». In it, he indicated that four adjectives must define Federations of Past Pupils: strong, reliable, visible and significant. And four verbs must indicate the north to each of its members: to know, to love, to promote and defend the Association. Father Edison Capellán, Provincial Vicar, presided the concluding Eucharist of the Congress. don Pastor Ramirez EXALLIEVI Newsflash - 24 june

14 REGIONS India Don Bosco on front page (ANS Mumbai) The Don Bosco High school of Matunga, Mumbai, which recently celebrated its 75 anniversary of educational service to young people was the protagonist of an important communication operation to promote info on Don Bosco and the validity of his educative system throughout India. Several students of the institutete, accompanied by their Principal, participated in the program The Times of India Newspaper in Education (TIMES NIE) produced firsthand a special issue of... The Times of India Student Edition, entirely dedicated to the presentation of the Salesian education. The TIMES NIE is a program established in 1985 that included over 90 thousand students of 2000 schoosls in India. Thanks to this program, the supplementary issue for young students The Times of India Student Edition is published, associated to The Times of India, which with its 800 thousand daily copies is the most widely read in English in India. The student edition of this past 26 March is the work of the team of Don Bosco High School, Fr Fernandes, the Principal, and three teachers, as well as six students. In the various pages, besides pages dedicated to the traditional items of interest to the young readers, there are reports on the various activities of the Don Bosco High School, and more generally, Salesian education: the testimony of past pupils, presentation of the Preventive System, experiences of the system in the world... The Times of India building looked like a 14 EXALLIEVI Newsflash - 24 june 2018

15 REGIONS The Times of India castle of sorts said one of the students. We met Dr Ram Chaddha, our alumnus, who shared anecdotes from his school days and his inspiration to become a doctor. He gave us a new insight into what it means to be a Boscoite! We marvelled at the intricate processes involved in the production of a newspaper. We caught the waft of the printing ink and whirring of the incessant machines at the press that gave us a sense of excitement. The process was 80 percent automated right from the unwrapping of the reels to the packaging of the newspapers. We thought that newspaper production must be a cakewalk, but when we visited the press we witnessed the efforts put in behind the scenes. Wielding the quill is no mean task! At the same time, it was interesting to note the important role photojournalists play in a media house. A newspaper is a fine blend of creativity, mechanisation and automation. It was an enriching experience we will always cherish. Credits: TIMES NIE EXALLIEVI Newsflash - 24 june

16 REGIONS Spain Regional Council San Francisco Javier Santander - 10 march 2018 It is the desire of the Regional Council to keep the Councils in a non-fixed, rotating way. This year was the Council of Santander who welcomed us with human warmth and sunny day. As expected, we had in almost all the meetings the national vice-president Jaime Martínez Acero and the national secretary Juan Carlos Duarte; at 11:30 the Council began. First welcome greeting from the Regional President D. Aurelio Lopez, thanking everyone for their presence at the event. The regional delegate prayed, addressing his last words to those present with the exhortations: be light on the street; Leader, believe in what you do; Leader, be brave and persevering, you will never find you alone. Intervention by the Vice President with a heartfelt presentation based on the World Statute Identity and Mission: identity assumed personally, the one desired by Don Bosco «Be honest citizen and good Christians». The consequences of the personal choice of this demanding path require firmness, consistency, perseverance and continuous training... we do not take for granted what we are... Mission: An Association, a Salesian Family for the most needy: Don Ángel Fernández Artime «I dream once again of my conviction that the poorest are the reason for our existence as a family in the Church, and our dedication to them. reason for our lives». He continued to exhibit and discuss with the "21st Century" Juan Bosco Foundation. It ended with the «Go ahead, always forward!» Of Don Bosco. Applauded by the assistants. The Regional Delegate presented his speech with the title "An association for a movement" based on the World Statute. Separate and clarified the differences between the former associate student and the non-associate student. Agreements on the identity of the partner aware of the commitment to education received, which gives its name and freely enters a local association and accepts its status and objectives, its membership in the Salesian Family, etc. In the exposition of prayers and questions the words are freed, hitherto silenced by the imperatives of listening. Thus we see that difficulties are a great tool for changing thought. Pamplona walks towards the future and presents students in stages, the Association, continuing in the sport with the Bosco s Trophy, mountaineering... we have learned that Facebook is not the young. Barakaldo continues and continues with his magazine Atalaya, a means with which they achieve numerous results. The "José María Portel" literary competition has already borne fruit with figures that today stand out in the literary world. Santander: photo contest and, above all, former teachers of students who exercise, feel and live as such (if there is ferment in the dough, there will be good bread). If we want young people in the Association, we must make them feel like protagonists. Burgos: continues with its "Tecno- Bosco'21" competition and a very participatory association in the most important acts that are celebrated throughout the year. The great news was that there was no talk about the economy, everything is in order. At the end of the meeting we were invited to eat at the school bar; surprise here is an exceptional mountain stew, prepared as always with time and love (I say with love). F. Pintor 16 EXALLIEVI Newsflash - 24 june 2018

17 REGIONS East Timor Conclusion of ITM Viceprovince Extraordinary Visitation (ANS Fatumaca) On May 8 and 9, with a meeting of Rectors and a meeting of the complete Indonesia - East Timor provincial council (including the Delegate for Indonesia, Fr. Lino Belo) the 2018 Extraordinary visitation of the St. Callistus Caravario Vice-province (ITM), lasting three and half months, concluded in Fatumaca. Since the ITM's foundation (1998) there have been 4 extraordinary visitations of the ITM: in 1999 by Fr. Antonio R. Tallon, in 2006 by Fr. Václav Klement, in 2012 by Fr. Andrew Wong, and now again by Fr. Klement. The Regional councilor invited the Rectors and Provincial Councilors to share their feedback on the collated reports to the 11 communities in East Timor, each with three-fold recommendations about consecrated and spiritual life, about community and fraternity building as well for being more effective servants of the young. Both meetings (rectors and provincial council) were held as an open forum, listening to the most important call of present times: Focus on formation of the Salesians: starting from more solid preparation for the novitiate (human maturity, sufficient language skills - especially in English, closer personal spiritual accompaniment and more contact with the candidate families), through the necessary long-term SDB qualification plan until the necessary Salesian leadership formation (future rectors, formators, spiritual guides, principals, catechists, parish priests or delegates to the Salesian family groups). Need to strengthen the Salesian consecrated vocation, especially of the Salesian Brother (among the 150+ Salesians there are only 16 Brothers). Need to foster mutual trust and synergy among the confreres, including mutual appreciation and correction, as well a consistent effort to produce solid province vision and plan for the balanced growth of Salesian charism. At present there are 150+ Salesians of Timor Leste, living in 11 local communities, three of them not yet fully consistent in personnel. Salesians are blessed with ongoing vocations: senior aspirants, 25 prenovices, 21 novices, 28 postnovices, 19 practical trainees, 20 Salesians in spe- cific formation (priesthood and Brothers) and 14 Salesian priests and Brothers in Quinquennium. There are also 10 Timorese missionary ad gentes working in Europe, Latin America, Africa and East Asia. Don Bosco is much alive in East Timor! The spirit of Don Bosco is expressed also in continuous numeric and quality growth of three main Salesian Family groups - ADMA, Don Bosco Alumni and Salesian Cooperators. Salesians reach youth in 10 large and 60 smaller parish schools with 700 teachers, more than Catholics in our six parishes and, through the numerous SYM groups, it continues to expand. The extraordinary visitation was concluded 91 years after the arrival of the first Salesian missionaries including St. Callistus Caravario and 20 years after the establishment of the ITM Vice Province. The Salesians of East Timor are looking into the future a Centenary of the Salesian presence in 2027! - with optimism, faith and more commitment in our mission for the young. Source: AustraLasia EXALLIEVI Newsflash - 24 june

18 FAMILY Family: a problem or a source? It was near astonishing the affirmation: about family we lost the war as from representing of OMAEC in Samoens. Effectively the common sense suggests that a change in opinion concerning the family is largely spread in our societies: all links between two (or more?) person seem having dignity of Family. It means that undeclared and informal links, civilian links, homosexual links, polygamyc and polyandryc links (?) may declare themselves a family and their formal union a marriage? Moreover, what is, and can be the right decision for Christians? First, we have to know the real situation in all countries; to respect the personal choices; to stand up our opinion concerning such social trend; to start again toward a new society where the main values are supported, even in presence of different point of view and preserving dignity of the person. It means to underline all is good in Civilian, Affective, Unions, giving the families (a consisting link between a man and a woman) all the support they need. It means the knowledge that Family is not occasional epiphenomena in the story of humankind, but the basis of all the societies; past, present and future. Useless thinking where we were while the Society changed or what we could have made in this meantime: now we must decide what to do since now. Generally, when an opinion (a right opinion) is at its nadir, it is the time to work toward the next zenith. That is why World Presidency decided to stress the item FAMILY. To start, we give all the national Presidencies a questionnaire, to be filled if possible in all parts, mainly in the parts most important for each nation: we foresee a Regional congress (Europe Asia Africa -America) in the 2018/2019, to finish with a world congress of Past Pupils of Don Bosco in the 2020/2021. All the Regional Counselors are kindly requested to spread the above questionnaire to the national Presidencies and to send their feedback to the World Presidency not later than August Maurizio Bruni World Counselor for Family and Formation 18 EXALLIEVI Newsflash - 24 june 2018

19 FAMILY QUESTIONNAIR A GENERAL VISION FOR EACH REGION * What is the meaning of "family" in your country? * What are the main problems of families? * How to stay in front of the so-called "new families"? * Political and social actions to do FAMILY AND OLD STUDENTS OF DON BOSCO What alumni can do to improve families as in the Christian concept: In young people In young people preparing to get married For "new families" For families in difficulty (personal - economic - for work reasons, etc.) WHAT FAMILIES ARE IN THE LIFE OF OLD STUDENTS Are families involved in the education of young people during school? Is an invitation still being made for the meetings / can it be done also for families and not only for Alumni? Is the life of the old student's families relevant in their groups? FAMILIES AND SALESIANS: WHAT IS THE INTEREST OF SDB FOR FAMILIES How can the Old Student introduce and highlight the importance of families in the life of our association? TIMING End 2018/2019: each region organizes a meeting on the topics above, in accordance with local priorities and sensitivities. Where is it? organization Presence of members of the Salesian Family Responsible End of 2020: a global meeting on "Former students of St. John Bosco and family in our society" Where is it? organization Presence of members of the Salesian Family responsible Publications of the final document (s) Spread the document in (and outside) the Salesian Family EXALLIEVI Newsflash - 24 june

20 NEWS Vatican The Club t-shirt of Paranà's "Club Don Bosco" for Pope Francis Vatican City, Vatican - 25 April 2018 At the end of Wednesday's General Audience, representatives of the Center for Past Pupils of Don Bosco in Paraná presented the official club shirt to Pope Francis. This gesture took place during the celebrations for the Center's 80th anniversary, founded May 8, Today the Don Bosco Club Center educates young people through eight sports and catechism classes for children. 20 EXALLIEVI Newsflash - 24 june 2018

21 NEWS Vatican Salesian Fr Yamanouchi appointed bishop of Saitama (ANS - Vatican City) Fr Mario Michiaki Yamanouchi, SDB, shall be the new bishop of Saitama, diocese of Japan, the seat vacant since The Salesian religious, who currently holds the office of Provincial of the Japanese Province, was nominated bishop last Saturday, 2 June. Fr Yamanouchi was born in Saeiki, in the prefecture of Oita, in Japan, on August 8, His Salesian religious journey began in Argentina, where, in Manucho, Santa Fe, he entered the novitiate in From 1976 to 1979 he studied Philosophy and Theology in Córdoba, until he obtained a Baccalaureate in Theology and Education Sciences. He made his perpetual vows in Cordoba in 1982 and was ordained a priest on December 21, 1984 in San Juan. In Argentina he was Director of the Salesian houses "Miguel Rua" of Córdoba ( ), "San Michele" of La Plata ( ), and of the "Domingo Savio" institute of Ramos Mejía ( ), also fulfilling the role of Master of Novices ( ). Returning to Japan at the beginning of 1997, he served in three Salesian houses in Tokyo, nominated Director in all three; first in Suginami ( ), then Chõfu ( ), then at the provincial center in Yotsuya ( ). For the "St. Francis Xavier" Province of Japan he was Delegate for Formation ( ), for the Past Pupils of Don Bosco ( ), for the Salesian Family ( ) and for the Association of Mary Help of Christians ( ). Appointed as Provincial Vicar from 2009 to 2014, he has been Provincial since January EXALLIEVI Newsflash - 24 june

22 NEWS Uruguay Uruguay President receives Salesian Rector Major Montevideo, Uruguay may 2018 On 9 May the Rector Major of the Salesians, Fr Ángel Fernández Artime, was received by the President of the Republic of Uruguay, Dr Tabaré Vázquez, in the presidential residence of Suárez y Reyes. The X Successor of Don Bosco was accompanied by the Provincial of Uruguay, Fr Alfonso Bauer, and Fr Marcelo Fontona. During the meeting, President Vázquez and the Rector Major discussed current affairs, underlining the impact of several figures, such as Pope Francis, on world affairs. President Vázquez and Fr Á.F. Artime also spoke about the collaboration and support of the Salesians in the process of educating Uruguayan youth and about the first education-work agreements with the "Tacurú Movement", for which the Rector Major thanked the President for his collaboration in favor of young people. The President, underlining his socialist status, highlighted the challenge in exercising government to articulate equality and freedom and he shared several anecdotes with Fr Artime concerning his own youth experience in the Salesian Oratory of La Teja, saying he was an heir of the values of the Salesian oratory. 22 EXALLIEVI Newsflash - 24 june 2018

23 NEWS Croatia "Whatever your dreams may be, you will achieve them only by living a friendship with God" (ANS - Rijeka) The Animation Visit of the Rector Major, Fr Ángel Fernández Artime, to the "Saint John Bosco" Province of Croatia, on the occasion of the 100 years of the Salesian presence, began with a surprise full of enthusiasm and joy. While Fr Á.F. Artime was on the terrace of the Salesian parish of Rijeka, suddenly 350 young people from the Salesian centers of Rijeka and Zagreb rushed from the back of the oratory and greeted the 10th Successor of Don Bosco with a festive welcome song. After the initial emotional moment, the Provincial Delegate for Youth Ministry, Fr. Danijel Vidovic, introduced several theatrical scenes by which the history of the Salesians of Fiume and the growth of the Salesian Family in Croatia was presented to the Rector Major. Salesians came to Rijeka in Local Church was inviting Salesians for more then 20 years before they came. In short time after the arrival Salesian oratory became one of the most important places in the city. First Salesians in Rijeka were Italians and house belonged to Veneto province until the end of Second World War. During the communist dictature, Slovenian and Croatian Salesians were living hard times. Still, they managed to open the school for boys who aspirated to became priests, but the school was not allowed to have public right. With independence of Croatia in better times came and Salesians did get public right for gymnasium in In 25 year old history school is one of the best in the city. The newly built wing of the school will now allow it to have more then 300 students. The Rector Major then spoke with the chil- dren: of the presence of the Salesians in 134 countries and of the many activities in which they are engaged in with and for the young poor. And, on being asked a motto to leave the young, he quoted St. John Paul II and said: «Do not be afraid!». The day continued with an academy in the new structure of the Salesian institute; present: the city archbishop, mgr. Ivan Devcic, the Mayor, Zlatko Komadina, the Provincial, Fr Pejo Orkic, the Rector of the center, Fr. Dragutin Detic, the Rector of the school, Fr Niko Tunjic, and the past pupils, teachers and founder of the Croatian Catholic Scouts, Marin Miletic. At the end of the day the young people animated a prayer vigil and Fr Á.F. Artime left them with a thought to ponder upon in the traditional Salesian "Goodnight" wherein he invited them to seek their own vocation: «Whatever your dreams may be, you will be able to achieve them only by living a friendship with God». EXALLIEVI Newsflash - 24 june

24 NEWS Laos An intensive training course for benefit of poor young people (ANS Vien Kham) Laos is a country characterized by a rapidly growing economy, based mainly on investments from neighboring countries, and a very young population. For some years now Laos has also become a territory of activity for the spiritual Sons of Don Bosco, who now intend to increase their educational offer to help the poorest young people via a new vocational training course. It was 24 May, 2004, under the sign of Mary Help of Christians, when 5 past pupils of the Salesian vocational training schools of Thailand, a teacher, and Fr Tito Pedron an Italian Salesian missionary at the service of the Salesian Province of Thailand (THA) for over 40 years rented a house to start the Laos Project. They started with 12 students: the year after, there were 24. When the inspectors sent by the Ministry of Labor visited, they were very impressed by the professionalism of the teachers and the level of learning of the students. Given that the country is governed by a communist government, the Salesians, while enjoying the esteem of the authorities for their work in the field of formation, cannot spread the Gospel. But they can spread the Don Bosco Preventive System through education. For this reason, and always with the aim of providing local youth with more opportunities for the future, the local "Don Bosco Center" has decided to carry out a project in cooperation with the Youth Union - the youth organization of the Laotian Communist Party - of the Vientiane capital and Vien Kham, the rural site of the initiative.l iniziativa. The course being offered is an intensive vocational training course to train mecha- nics specialized in servicing motorcycles. «Here, where the most popular means of transport is the moped or scooter, it is certainly a winning choice from an occupational point of view» commented the Salesian Fr Patrizio Maccioni, also an Italian missionary for decades in the Thai Province, asking for help from the Salesian Missionary Office of Turin, "Missioni Don Bosco". The course, of brief duration, shall be attended by 25 youths, selected among the poorest in the area, due to their not being able to take longer courses in more distant cities; many will also be hosted in a boarding school. In this organizational phase, they are also trying to raise funds to support the expenses related to food, accommodation and training of future students. Further information is available at: 24 EXALLIEVI Newsflash - 24 june 2018

25 NEWS Maliana, East Timor - april 2018 East Timor The fruits of "Maliana Don Bosco" project Five years after the launch of the "Maliana Don Bosco" project, promoted by the governments of East Timor and Spain, many are the fruits derived from the activities of the Technical Institute "Don Bosco Maumali - Maliana", which also features a boarding school. The center is animated in collaboration by four Salesians and 15 lay missionary collaborators, who guide a total of 106 students. There are already two groups of graduates, 60 past pupils, and among them two new aspiring Salesians who assist the new generations of students. Peru "Salesian Sainthood" photo exhibition inaugurated Lima, Peru - May 2018 In the Exhibition Hall of the Salesian Institute of Technology, the photographic exhibition "Salesian Sainthood" was presented on May 14th, a tribute to all those people who with love, dedication and service have contributed to improving the quality of spiritual and social life of thousands of young people, such as Fr Luis Bolla, Salesian missionary in the Peruvian Amazon. AThe ceremony was attended by Fr Manuel Cayo, Provincial of the Salesian Province of Peru, Sr. Gloria Patiño, Provincial of the FMA, past pupils and members of the Salesian Family. The exhibition was promoted and organized by Fr Vicente Santilli. EXALLIEVI Newsflash - 24 june

26 NEWS France Don Bosco alumni always more innovative! The alumni network met in mid-march in Lyon. The opportunity to announce that the Don Bosco platform project has entered its operational phase. Remember the goal of the Don Bosco platform: to allow students in the network to find internships, benefit from business contacts, relying on the network of alumni and businesses close to our "homes". The Don Bosco platform was presented to representatives of associations across France by three students from Caen, Ale- xis, Théo and Kevin (all 20 years old); they gave an update on their work. The Don Bosco platform is a site. The database and the application of the platform are under development. Remember that this project is for the three students in computer BTS the file they will present for graduation. In a few weeks will begin the experimentation. Two institutions were chosen: Caen and Chambéry. Benoît Deseure, adb 26 EXALLIEVI Newsflash - 24 june 2018

27 NEWS Belgio The silence of slippers is more dangerous than the sound of boots 7 young students of the Don Bosco Institute in Auschwitz-Birkenau The warmth of the Belgian government planes and the continental cold of the Polish climate, the flashing lights of the ministerial stock and the sweetness of the snowy landscape on the outskirts of Krakow: the bright colors of our clothes and the blue-white lines of the prisoners. "Those who do not remember their past threaten to repeat themselves" (George Santayana) The relative intimacy of Auschwitz and the giganticism of the Birkenau extermination. Faces, names, families and the unthinkable... World War II as a chapter title and frontal shock with one of the most horrible episodes of the war. Everything is contrast, this Tuesday, January 23rd 2018! There will be a before and after for our students! A few days before the 73rd anniversary of the liberation of the fields, the tracks converge and the abstraction of the books is brutally linked to history: their history, our history! Thanks to the War Heritage Institute and the Ministry of Defense for this essential support for education. Jean-Marc Brasseur EXALLIEVI Newsflash - 24 june

28 NEWS Mongolia First official gathering of Don Bosco Past Pupils in Mongolia Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia - 12 may 2018 Don Bosco ITSC, in Ulaanbaatar, witnessed a historic event on 12th May 2018, as they held the first ever official gathering of Don Bosco Past Pupils. Some 320 former students, staff and teachers, some of whom are also graduates of the school, came together, some for the first time in sixteen years. The Salesians arrived in Mongolia in 2001 and opened the school (DBITSC) in the same year. It teaches six professions: Auto mechanics, Construction, Plumbing, Welding, Sewing & Tailoring and Secretarial Studies. Students are also taught academic subjects, giving them dual qualifications. Graduates now total 784 but, until recently, there have been no formal activities for them. A small group of Past Pupils, some of whom now work in the school, began planning a way forward in March, under the direction of Br. Andrew Phuong, the school principal. The Past Pupil Association has three main objective: Firstly, to keep alive the Salesian pedagogy among the graduates and to help them to nurture it among families and in their workplaces. Secondly, to provide a support network 28 EXALLIEVI Newsflash - 24 june 2018

29 NEWS for each other, helping those among them without work to find jobs. Thirdly, to assist current students in various ways and also promote the school to potential ones. Current pupils augmented the event with impressive singing and dancing performances and participants enjoyed some food together. They also had the chance to win prizes in a raffle. The Association is in its fledgling stages just now but, in the future, they will gather together again in groups to plan how to proceed. It could be a great asset to this technical school, which provides many young people with the skills they need to find employment in this industrial city, as well as care, friendship and formation in the values necessary to help them to become good citizens. Ms. Madeleine Picozzi EXALLIEVI Newsflash - 24 june

30 NEWS Dem.Rep. Congo Fr Chaquisse inaugurates "St Melchiorre" chapel of Boscolac (ANS Goma) On 30 April, the Salesian "Don Bosco Ngangi" in Goma, at the eastern end of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, welcomed the Regional Councilor for Africa-Madagascar, Fr Américo Chaquisse. The reason for his visit was the inauguration of the new chapel, dedicated to St. Melchiorre, of the Salesian prenovitiate called "Boscolac", located about ten kilometers from Goma. Welcoming Fr Chaquisse were many Salesians from throughout the centers of the country's Eastern areas: Uvira, Bukavu, and the other house in Goma, the "ITIG". Once the entire delegation reached its destination, Fr Serge Mwaka Kinyabuuma, Maestro of the prenovices, offered words of welcome; the chapel steps were then blessed and Fr Chaquisse presided a solemn Eucharist. In his homily, the Regional Councilor reminded the faithful that it is through the observance of the commandments that man can remain faithful to God. «Love God and remain faithful to Him». he said. Before the final blessing, Fr Mwaka thanked the engineers who designed and carried out the actual construction, Daniel Balezi and Serge Byemba - both past pupils of ITIG Don Bosco in Goma - and all those who collaborated in the work itself, starting from Fr Dominique Kubuya, who gave the impetus when he was Director of the Planning and Development Office of the East region of the country. For his part, Fr. Chaquisse felt urged to emphasize how the Salesian seed thrown into the land of Goma is bearing many vocational fruits: «Our confreres from the West have borne witness and testimony. Today, it is Africans who announce the Gospel on all the continents. I am pleased to see that God gives as He wants and where He wants». And before concluding, he added a few words of encouragement for the 19 young people in formation who will conclude their prenovitiate at the end of this year at the "Boscolac". The chapel of St. Melchiorre - which took this name in memory of the son of the benefactor that allowed it to be built - has a capacity of 50 seats and work for its construction started indeed very recently, in October EXALLIEVI Newsflash - 24 june 2018

31 HONEST CITIZENS AND GOOD CHRISTIANS People s bishop gets Bharat Gaurav Award Great Britain A Catholic Salesian bishop from the remotest corner of northeast India was awarded Bharat Gaurav Award at a ceremony held at U.K. House of Commons in British Parliament London on April 13th, Bishop George Palliparambil, of Miao diocese in East Arunachal, is the first Catholic Bishop to get this award. (ANS London) «This award felicitates people with extraordinary excellence in their fields and make India proud». says Pt. Suresh Mishra President of Sanskriti Yuva Sanstha, an NGO working with the vision of promoting Indian culture and society. «You are one of the iconic personalities of our nation who always encouraged each and every one to bloom into a next idol of tomorrow. You are the pride of our country and we feel privileged to recognize your contribution with Bharat Gaurav Life Time Achievement Award 2018» the citation read. Started in 2012, the Bharat Gaurav Award is in its sixth year. In a colourful ceremony that was graced by eminent personalities from around the world, including National Award winning Film Director Shri. Madhur Bhandarkar, Bishop George moderated a seminar on Rich Indian Culture prior to the award ceremony. In his award acceptance speech Bishop George underlined his lifelong commitment and concern for young people s education and health; promotion of indigenous methods for envirornment conservation, and upholding of traditional tribal values of valour, dignity and honest work. Alumnus of Salesian College Darjeeling Class of 1977, Bishop George, 63 years, heads the remotest diocese in northeast India. Born in Kerala south India, Bishop George has been working in northeast India for over 40 years. From 1979 to 1982 Brother George organised the migrant tribal students from Arunachal and Tripura who were in Shillong to get admissions, find rented facilities and mediated with the landlords to help them. After his priestly ordination, in 1983 Fr George started the first residential school at Tinsukia to train tribal youth from neighbouring Arunachal state in schooling ha- bits. In 1990 he started Seva Kendra, an NGO for developmental activities. He also started the first private school and hostel in Borduria village in Ordained Bishop of Miao in East Arunachal Pradesh in 2006, the remotest diocese in northeast India, Bishop George helped make giant strides in the education field with the establishment of 47 schools in the remotest corners, as well as many hostels. In 2014 the Venerable Uktara Bethany College was started at Namsai. The construction of the cultural centre at Miao to preserve, protect and promote indigenous culture was started in EXALLIEVI Newsflash - 24 june

32 HONEST CITIZENS AND GOOD CHRISTIANS East Timor Don Bosco Alumni and Cristal Foundation Since 1984 the Cristal Foundation, officially registered in 1987 and again in 2001, has transformed the life of thousands of Timorese citizens. (ANS Dili) Started by ten Alumni of Don Bosco in Baucau, with the help of Salesians, it now offers education to 8000 students in East Timor. On Saturday morning, April 8, the Executive President of Cristal Foundation invited the Extraordinary Councillor for East Asia-Oceania Salesian Region, Fr Václav Klement, to share his time with the faculties, selected students and Cristal Foundation board members in the Balide - Dili campus, located 100 meter from the Dili- Balide FMA community. A meeting was attended by four hundred young students and their professors, with opening remarks, talks, songs and a lively much-participated open forum with many questions for Fr. Klement. The dialogue focused on Don Bosco's education, the happiness of serving other people (like Don Bosco in the Turin prisons), missionary commitment in Timor and beyond, and responsibility to share the precious gift of faith among one's peers. The speaker also invited two teachers and two students to share their story about the roots of their joy and happiness. The Institute Superior Cristal or ISC is a private Institution of Higher Education, which was established by the Cristal Foundation (Fundação Cristal) on November 5, The numerous branches of ISC are located in 9 different towns of East Timor with a focus on offering Bachelor degree courses in two departments: Faculty of Teacher Training & Education and Faculty of Education & Health Sciences (specialization in English, Portuguese, Science and Nursing). So far, almost 5000 Bachelor degree holders have graduated from the ISC in the past few years. Every weekend, 3000 students attend the classes offered 32 EXALLIEVI Newsflash - 24 june 2018

33 HONEST CITIZENS AND GOOD CHRISTIANS for working people. The 34-year history of CRISTAL offers insight into the grateful heart of those who received Don Bosco education and would like to share it with others. In the beginning, the ten Don Bosco Alumni founders simply went around knocking on many doors and asking for any kind of help - rooms for teaching, volunteers to teach or financial contribution for the classroom building. Their passion for education is a great contribution for the progress of the youngest nation in East Asia. Not only the Don Bosco Alumni, who are at the direction of the whole Institution, but also the nearby FMA sisters offer help with their faithful Good Morning Talks to the students of 4 different institutions, as does the spiritual accompaniment by Fr. Manuel Pinto (Chaplain of the ISC), and interaction with other Salesian Family groups which all contribute to the Salesian ethos under the school's motto: Knowledge is Development. One SDB Brother and FMA postulants are also students of the Cristal. The wonderful morning ended with lunch with the Cristal Board members and two Salesians (translator, Br. Adriano de Jesus) and with Mr. Federico Almeida Santos da Costa, Founder of Cristal Foundation, who spoke of the institution's 34-year history. At present the Cristal Foundation is the second largest education agency (after the RDTL government institutions) in East Timor. Agostinho Dos Santos Goncalves, EX DB Source: AustraLasia EXALLIEVI Newsflash - 24 june

34 INTERVIEW Italy Nicolò, a past pupil screenwriter and director Nicolò Agrò, writer and director, from Rome, a former student and salesian cooperator, moved to Piedmont in He currently lives in Caluso (Turin) where he worked for several years at the Olivetti computer firm, General Electric, Honeywell, Bull, Compuprint. During the interview Nicolo Agrò describes in detail his ideas and initiatives with the right enthusiasm and calmness. «Already in Rome I began to approach the theater by attending a basic improvisation course, then to participate as an actor, to make three comedies and an operetta». When and where was the passion for the theater born? «She was born in 1963 at the Teresa Gerini Salesian Institute in Rome, where I studied for a long time. In Rome I approach the theater and I attend a basic course and improvisation. As an actor I participate in the production of three comedies and an operetta. In the '70s I took part in a psycho-theatrical course at the Pannunzio center in Turin and in 1981 founded the non-profit asso- ciation "Lo Zodiaco" of Caluso, still active today». Over time the activity of Nicolò Agrò has been greatly expanded with the creation of fairy tales specially written for young people and representations of sacred texts. In 2008 he staged, through the theater company Alfa and Omega de Joanne Bosco, the musical "Andiamo ragazzi!"; a musical totally dedicated to Don Bosco and subtitled in French and Spanish. The musical has been represented in various parts of Italy and has been seen by about 20, EXALLIEVI Newsflash - 24 june 2018

35 INTERVIEW people. Andiamo Ragazzi!" was presented for the first time at the theatre Valdocco in Turin in the presence of Don Pascual Chávez Villanueva (Rector Major from 2002 to 2014) and 230 Salesian Capitulars from 133 countries in the world. «The precious contribution of Sister Paola Pignatelli, of Fr Giorgio Chatrian and of the musician Raffaele Lo Buono di Chieri (Salesian Cooperator), who wrote more than 28 pieces of music, was decisive. Without them it would not have been possible to make the musical». In 2012, again at the Teatro Valdocco, the premiere of the musical "Lady Park is staged, even with Parkinson's we want to live". «The musical was born with the aim of raising awareness about the problems of those who live the realities of disability, especially Parkinson's disease». The representation, sponsored by the Piedmont Region, the Municipality and the Province of Turin, has already been replicated many times in Piedmont. «The idea was born together with the Salesian Father Giorgio Chatrian, who was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease at age 45. The music has always been written by the Salesian Cooperator Raffaele Lo Buono». Currently Nicolò Agrò, is working on "The Imaginary Disease" by Moliere, a collaboration between the L'Alfa Theater Association and the Omega de Joanne Bosco and the Unitre Theater Group of Rivarolo. The show was presented in Rivarolo on May 26, For more information: EXALLIEVI Newsflash - 24 june

36 BOOKS Italy Presentation of Cardinal Bertone's book: "I miei Papi My Popes" Turin, Italy - March 14, 2018 On March 14, Card. Tarcisio Bertone, SDB, Vatican Secretary of State Emeritus, presented his book "I miei Papi" in Turin Valdocco before an audience of over 150 people. The volume, published by Elledici, avails itself of the preface by Cardinal Gianfranco Ravasi, President of the Pontifical Council for Culture. Fr Valerio Bocci, Director General of Elledici, opened the presentation, which continued with questions by the journalist Domenico Agasso jr. Card. Bertone discussed his love for the popes whom he knew and served from Pius XII to Pope Francis, especially the last three most recent Popes. The cardinal concluded by saying, «In our Salesian tradition we recall the three great loves Don Bosco inculcated in us: love for the Eucharist, love for the Madonna and love for the Pope. I will never want to leave this path». 36 EXALLIEVI Newsflash - 24 june 2018

37 MARY HELP OF CHRISTIANS Italy 150th anniversary of Basilica of Mary Help of Christians on social networks (ANS - Turin) The feast of Mary Help of Christians recently celebrated in Turin was broadcast live for the first time, with a commentary in Spanish, too. A total of over 140 thousand people were reached through Facebook. The social networks allowed the Turin celebrations of the feast of Mary Help of Christians to reach beyond the borders of Italy and to project themselves onto every continent. Viewers who accessed information regarding the procession of Mary Help of Christians, the Masses and events held between May 23 and 24 in Turin numbered 147,000 circa; the number of people who watched the events live was over 88,200. The feast of Mary Help of Christians has always aroused interest in Turin and throughout the Salesian world. This year it was seen for the first time on all continents: the broadcast was also watched live in Togo, Peru, Syria, Japan... The novelty this year was to add the Spanish language simultaneously to the Italian-language broadcast via a specific channel on Facebook. The religious of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians, Sr. Luigina Silvestrin, and the Salesian past pupil Ángel Gudiña curated the Spanish version. The main events broadcast were: - The presentation of the book "The city of Don Bosco", promoted by the Rector Major, Fr Ángel Fernández Artime, and edited by Fr Bruno Ferrero and the Dicastery for Social Communication; - The Mass presided by the Archbishop of Turin, Msgr. Cesare Nosiglia; - The Mass presided by the Rector Major and the procession of Mary Help of Chri- stians that followed. The technical support for the broadcast was carried out by a joint team of young people from the Southern Italy Province (IME) and professionals from the Special Circumscription of Piedmont and Valle d'aosta (ICP). The signal was provided by "Missioni Don Bosco". Thanks to the good collaboration achieved in the joint work between the Dicastery for Social Communication and the two Italian Provinces, who made the technical and professional resources for this event available and possible, a live broadcast of the main celebrations of the festival in English is already in the works. EXALLIEVI Newsflash - 24 june

38 SALESIAN FAMILY Italy World Consultative Body of Salesian Family Interview with its director Fr Eusebio Muñoz (ANS - Turin) On Monday morning, 21 May, Fr Ángel Fernández Artime, Rector Major of the Salesians, took part in the meeting of the World Consultative Body of the Salesian Family (SF). The meeting was attended by 27 SF groups, represented by their leaders or by their respective delegates. Fr Eusebio Muñoz, Delegate of the Rector Major for the Salesian Family, reflects on this important meeting. What is the mission of the Worldwide Consultative Body or Consulta of the Salesian Family? «Every year the 31 groups of the SF are invited to meet to discuss and reflect on a number of themes of Salesian spirituality. The aim is to form, take decisions and reflect on the Salesian charism and its validity and relevance for each group of the SF». What groups are participating? «I am very pleased that this time 27 of the 31 groups of the SF are represented. The groups that could not participate - for social or political problems in the countries of origin, or of distance - feel however an integral part of the SF». How does the growth of the SF groups seem to you? «SF groups are growing exponentially all over the world. It is certain, for example, that the Damas Salesianas have grown 38 EXALLIEVI Newsflash - 24 june 2018

39 SALESIAN FAMILY considerably in recent years because of the social work they do among women; but the same is true for all other groups. There is an amazing vitality in each one». Which group was recently welcomed in the SF? «The last was the "Contemplative Fraternity of Mary of Nazareth" (FCMS), which has its roots in the concern of Msgr. Nicolás Cotugno, SDB, regarding the contemplative life. On 18 July 2016, the Rector Major accepted it as the 31st group of the SF». As the Worldwide Delegate who travels the world animating the various groups, how does the SF appear to you? «I am convinced that the SF has more future than present because of the enormous growth of the various groups. The challenge is for the Salesians. We must believe in the SF not as a separate group, and we must know it so we may encourage and accompany each of the groups in the Salesian Provinces and houses. It is not an easy task, but it is a task for the Salesians to take up, for the spiritual animation of all the members of the Salesian Family». How would you like the Salesian Family to be today? «I wish for a group that works together and lives in the service of needy and poor young people». EXALLIEVI Newsflash - 24 june

40 SALESIAN FAMILY Germany Don Bosco Family at 101st German Catholic (ANS Muenster) Around 70,000 participants attended the 101st German Catholic Day in Muenster, which reached its climax on Sunday, May 13, 2018, with an open-air worship service at its best and most popular event to date. The Central Committee of German Catholics, as organizer, speaks of the "largest Catholic Day since reunification". In the middle of it all, a circus tent of Don Bosco put children and young families into the best Catholic Day mood possible. Colorful, diverse, creative, active, spiri- tually and - above all - happy, the Don Bosco Family of Germany presented themselves under the roof - and around - the large, red and yellow circus tent of the Circus Giovanni of Don Bosco Youth Bamberg. Discussions alternated with circus performances and spiritual proposals. In addition, there were more hands-on offers and information about the work and facilities of the Don Bosco family in Germany. "To seek peace" was the keynote motto that visitors carried during the five days on turquoise scarves throughout the city of the Westphalian Peace. The fact that Don Bosco's preventive pedagogy can also contribute to this was demonstrated by the more than 50 program items that the Don Bosco family offered at the community with around 200 participants, including numerous young artists from the two Don Bosco circuses from Bamberg and Chemnitz. From the interactive circus on to the narrative theatre, spiritual impulses, dance and theatre performances to the racism critical city tour with the Don Bosco volunteers, for young and old there was so much to offer everyone. 40 EXALLIEVI Newsflash - 24 june 2018

41 SALESIAN FAMILY EXALLIEVI Newsflash - 24 june

42 SALESIAN FAMILY Mexico Pilgrimage of the Salesian Family Mexico City, Mexico - May 2018 On May 5, the annual pilgrimage of the Salesian Family took place at the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe, led by Fr Gabino Hernández Paleta, Superior of the Salesian Province of Mexico City (MEM). During the homily the Provincial recalled the apparitions of the Virgin Mary in Mexico, which took place from 9 to 12 December 1531 in San Juan Diego Cuauhtlatoatzin. 42 EXALLIEVI Newsflash - 24 june 2018

43 WORLD STATUTE Statute of the World Confederation Præit ac tuetur / Guide and Protect Us Roma, 5 december 2015 Art Organisation of the Association a) The World Confederation of the Past Pupils is a unique organisation, without ethnic and religious distinctions. As a lay association, it has a juridical personality and its own representation which is recognised, where applicable, by individual States. Enrolment in the Confederation takes place through the Local Associations and requires that the Past Pupil shares its aims and objectives according to the respective statutes and relevant national regulations. The Association is composed of: Chapter V Organisation and Composition of the World Confederation of the Past Pupils of Don Bosco b) Associations and Local Unions. These may be composed of: ~ Past Pupils of Don Bosco grouped around a Salesian Presence. ~ Past Pupils of Don Bosco who gather together but in their country are too far from the original Salesian House and show a desire to unite. ~ Past Pupils of Don Bosco who have immigrated from other nations or regions and show a desire to unite. c) Provincial Federation This is composed of all the Associations and Local Unions within a Salesian Province. Given the autonomy of each group of the Salesian Family, where there is the reorganisation of a Salesian Province, it is up to the members of that Federation to decide whether to keep the existing structure or otherwise adapt to the new reality of the Salesian Society. d) National Federation ~ It consists of all the local associations and Provincial Federations within a country 27. e) World Confederation This is composed of all the National Federations and also of the Provincial Federations in a country where a National Federation does not exist. Art Composition Structures The organising structures of the World Confederation of the Past Pupils 27 When a Salesian of Don Bosco Province consists more than one country, that Province may have more than one National Federation. EXALLIEVI Newsflash - 24 june

44 WORLD STATUTE of Don Bosco are: a) General World Assembly. b) Confederal Presidency. c) Confederal Executive Council. The National and Provincial Federations and the Local Associations must organise themselves autonomously in compliance with their own National Federation Statute. The organising structures of the National Federation are: a) National General Assembly. b) National Presidency, with representatives from all existing Provincial Federations or in the absence of these, the Local Associations including those recognized Groups that are eligible to be part of. c) National Executive Council. The organising structures of the Provincial Federations are: a) Provincial General Meeting. b) Provincial Presidency, with representatives from all the existing Local Association. c) Provincial Executive Council. The organising structures of the Local Associations are: a) General Assembly of all the members. b) Local Presidency. c) Executive Council of the Local Association. To start a Local Association the minimum requirement is that a considerable group of Past Pupils expresses a desire to unite. Art Structures of the World Confederation a) World Confederal Presidency The General World Assembly is the highest body of the Confederation of the Past Pupils of Don Bosco. It is composed of: ~ The Presidents of the National Federations. ~ The Presidents of the Provincial Federations, wherever a National Federation does not exist or where there is only 1 Pro- vincial Federation. ~ I Presidenti delle Federazioni Ispettoriali, ove nel Paese non esista una Federazione Nazionale e vi sia una sola Federazione Ispettoriale. b) The World Confederal Presidency It is composed of: ~ The Confederal President. ~ The Senior Confederal Vice-President (appointed amongst the 4 Adults Councillors, one from each Region). ~ The GEX Confederal Vice-President (appointed amongst 4 GEX Councillors, one from each Region) 28. ~ 4 adult and 4 GEX Regional Councillors. ~ Distribution of the region s representatives for the Confederal Presidency is as follows: - Europe: 2 councillors, 1 adult and 1 GEX. - Africa: 2 councillors, 1 adult and 1 GEX. - Latin America: 2 councillors, 1 adult and 1 GEX. - Asia: 2 councillors, 1 adult and 1 GEX. ~ The Delegate of the Rector Major for the Salesian Family. ~ The World Confederal Delegate. ~ The Secretary General, even when co-opted by the General World Assembly. ~ The Confederal Treasurer, even when co-opted by the General World Assembly. ~ The representative of the Priest Past Pupils. c) The Confederal Executive Council It is composed of: ~ The Confederal President. ~ The GEX Confederal Vice-President. ~ An Adult Regional Councillor (appointed by the Confederal Presidency amongst its elected 4 adult Regional Councillors). ~ The World General Secretary. ~ The Confederal Treasurer. ~ Delegate of the Rector Major for the Salesian Family. ~ The World Confederal Delegate. d) Experts Consultants In the Confederal Presidency of the World Confederation, one or more experts consultants but up to the maximum of 3 members can be co-opted 28 The 4 Regions are: Europe, America, Africa and Asia-Oceania-Australia. 44 EXALLIEVI Newsflash - 24 june 2018

45 WORLD STATUTE to the Presidency, in subjects in which a special competence is required. Their appointments must expressly indicate their abilities and terms of duration. The commission s reports are not the exclusive property of the Presidency. The members of this commission do not have voting rights. e) Special Commissions The Confederal Presidency can likewise set up a Commission composed of experts Past Pupils up to a maximum of 3 persons in matters on the agenda for discussion, to whom special authority will be given to particular issues. The Confederal Presidency will establish in advance the tasks and duties of the Commission, the work and the submission of timeframes for proposals and recommendations, to be issued in a final report for the Confederal Presidency of the World Confederation. Art Meetings and Reunions a) The General World Assembly ~ The General World Assembly is organised by the Confederal Presidency. It meets every 6 years. ~ The convocation is sent by the World President and the Secretary General, at least a year before to guarantee the most possible participation, and will include the General Agenda. b) Extraordinary General World Assembly The Confederal Presidency can decide to hold an Extraordinary General World Assembly: ~ To call for new elections in the event of resignation of the majority (½ + 1) of the Confederal Presidency, or of the entire Confederal Executive Council, or for any other reason. ~ At the request of at least 2/3 of the members of the Confederal Presidency. ~ At the request of at least 1/3 of the National Federations or of the Provincial Federations, when a National Federation does not exist in that country. ~ In particular serious circumstances, at the request of the Rector Major of the Salesian Society of Saint Francis of Sales, who also has the right to determine special procedural guidelines. one or more persons, up to a maximum of 3, can be invited to attend. The invited persons shall only participate in those matters on the Agenda which are assigned to them and have no voting rights. d) Meeting of the Confederal Executive Council The meeting of the members of the Confederal Executive Council takes place at least 3 times a year. At the invitation of the Confederal Executive Council, and with a valid reason, one or more persons, up to a maximum number of 3, can be invited to attend. However, invited persons shall only participate to those matters on the Agenda which are assigned to them and they have no voting rights. c) Meeting of the Confederal Presidency The meeting of the members of the Confederal Presidency takes place every year. At the invitation of the Confederal Presidency, and with a valid reason, (Continue in the next issue) EXALLIEVI Newsflash - 24 june