exallievi newsflash · as said by a beautiful prayer by michel quoist: ... “exallievi...

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YEAR 6 - ISSUE 25 - EASTER 2017

WORLD CONFEDERATION OFTHE PAST PUPILS OF DON BOSCO

2-3THE VOICE OF THE RECTOR MAJOR

THE GREETING OF DON JAYAPALAN RAPHAEL

4STRENNA 2017 - “WE ARE A FAMILY!”

13JEX - INTERVIEW TO

ALBERTO ALVES PIEDADE

2035e FAMILY MISSIONARY

IN THE WORLD

WELCOMEdon JAYAPALAN RAPHAEL

23STATUTE OF THE WORLD CONFEDERATION

English Edition

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THE VOICE OF THERECTOR MAJOR

lives, by admitting that the world we offer isdifficult, tough and with rare opportunities.It’s not their fault, of course. And like PopeFrancis I also spur them to find the strengthto go against the current when the call to fi-delity, to themselves and to Jesus echoesstrongly in their hearts.

Dear young, I remind you that the world oftoday needs you. It suffers from the lack ofthe great ideals which are typical of youthand its youthful dreams.

The whole world, in all the five continents,more than ever needs young people full ofhope and strength, without fear of living,dreaming, looking for a deep and authentichappiness to leave a place for God in theirhearts.

This world of ours needs young attracted bya real commitment, capable of sacrifice andlove. Young consistent to their commitment,ready to donate their time and themselves.Is that too much to ask ? I think it is not.

It is a high aim, undoubtedly, but it is whatDon Bosco in Valdocco used to ask his boysfor, in the simple daily routine and in the he-roism of taking care of the sicks of plague.

«My dear young, I trust in you completelyand for you I pray. Be brave and go againstthe current» (Pope Francis).

(…) In full harmony with Pope Francis and –I am sure – with lots of you, I also trust re-ally in young people, pray for them and en-courage them to be humble, strong, robust,protagonists of their own lives and ready togo against the current.

In a recent journey to Dominican Republic,Puerto Rico and Cuba I met active and braveyoung, being happy animators of other boysand girls; hardworking young who keep onstudying and working to help in their familiesas well as to have major opportunities intheir lives.

I saw young aged between 20 and 25 ser-ving in the liturgical celebrations withoutany embarass as altar servers, taking partin the church choirs and revealing themsel-ves as excellent artists and dancers onstage in an afternoon of leisure and fun.

They are our young. To them I say that, asadults and elder brothers, we are so manyto place a great hope in them, to encouragethem to be capable and audacious in their

I remind these today’s young that we needthem because lots of other young people needthem too. The young are able to understandthe other young better because the “discou-raged, disappointed and disenchanted” youngwho fail to feel enthousiastic for something,are a lot.

As said by a beautiful prayer by Michel Quoist:Love means to meet each other and to meetsomeone it is necessary to come out of one-self to go towards another person. Lovemeans to comunicate and to communicate tosomeone else it is necessary to forget aboutoneself for another person, to die to oneselfcompletely for another person. Love makesus suffer. Because, after the original sin, lovemeans self- crucifying for another.

This message of mine is an invitation to ge-nerosity of many young people worldwide anda call to us grown-up people, to stay by theirside, to listen to them, to keep on betting onthem, believing in them, trusting, in them,praying for them. For those who have a livingfaith and for those who are in search of them-selves or simply feel lost. God never loses anyof His sons and daughters. Be happy.

Fr. Ángel Fernández ArtimeRector Major

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GREETINGS FROMTHE PRESIDENTE

EDITORIALWORLD

DELEGATE

Dear Friends,I am very happy that you are reading another edi-tion of our Newsflash. It is the work of a team ofpast pupils led by the new Chief Editor PierluigiLazzarini. It is great to see how our team is ex-panding. The work of past pupils from all overthe world is also growing and developing.

There are various good examples, several bestpractices, so much work is being performed eve-ryday by past pupils and by members of the Sa-lesian Family.

I am glad to announce that we now have a func-tional secretariat in the Casa Generalizia in Pi-sana, Rome which is managed by Mrs. SilviaBruni.We are starting the work on the worldwide da-tabase of Past Pupils and Friends of Don Boscoand we will also be improving our website withthe section of news and best practices.

I invite you to be part of all these mentioned ac-tivities and events as part of your everyday livesand decisions. We should always be thankful forthe gifts that Don Bosco gave us and is still givingus. We are all called to put into action the dreamsof Don Bosco. As he was not afraid to dream bro-adly, neither am I.

I also dream of a great family of past pupils,I dream of a large worldwide network of ourmembers, I dream of more sharing of best prac-ticies which will inspire not only the Salesian Fa-mily but all societies and communities, I dreamof more social projects, I dream of our Associa-tion as a large loving family. I believe that DonBosco would have had these same dreams forus today.

I invite you to read this edition of Newsflash andto know that some of these dreams are beco-ming true.

Michal Hort

MY DEAR FRIENDS,It is with great pleasure that I am writing this firstmessage to wish you all, the presidency team andall the delegates and animators of the world Pastpupil Federation. At the very outset, I am deeplygrateful to our beloved Rector Major for his trustin me in giving me this wonderful ministry. I amextremely happy to take up this ministry, as I my-self am past pupil of Don Bosco. It is the great loveof salesians for us poor boys, that inspired me tobecome Salesian, son of Don Bosco. With great joyand commitment, I offer myself to serve you all inwhatever way I can.

1st April is the day Don Bosco was canonized a“Saint”. We are children of a Saintly Father. Whilewe thank God for this wonderful gift of Don Boscoto all of us, we should also remember his words tothe boys and particularly to St. Dominic Savio, hispupil: All of us should become saints; Becoming asaint is easy; Holiness consists in being cheerful.

The season of Holy Week and Easter reminds all ofus of the great love of Jesus for every one of usand that we are “Easter people and Alleluia is oursong”. Everything is not over with Good Friday.There is always Easter Sunday.

Already in the last few months I have seen the hardwork and commitment of our presidency team, Mr.Michal Hort and the team. I am proud of all that theprevious Salesian world delegate Don Jose PastorSDB and the presidency team have done. With greatjoy and optimism, we can move forward to build upthe World Past Pupils Federation. We have miles togo. With the assurance of the Risen Saviour, we canmake all our past pupils worldwide to experiencethe joys of the Risen Christ in their own personaland family life, and thus prove to be true sons ofDon Bosco. Wishing you all a Wonderful HappyEaster and invoking His special blessings on all ofyou and your family membersYours in Don BoscoDon Jayapalan Rapahel SdbWorld Delegate of Past Pupils Federation

“Do not be afraid!”: that was the invitation ofSaint John Paul II at the beginning of his Pontifi-cate, while exhorting us to open wide our doorsand our hearts for Christ.

The responsibility of being concerned with thejournalistic and layout organization of “ExallieviNewsFlash” is not a negligible task; in my small Ihave been involved in an exalting mission, but afrightening one as well.

In the Salesian Family the attention to social com-munication is “ancient”, just think of the intensepublishing activity of Don Bosco, and, above all, ofhis great capability in communicating.

Enthousiasm is at least equal to the challengethat awaits us. The important is to make it pos-sible that the editorial message be like the com-pass which orientates the readers through bothattractive and useful modern educational instru-ments.

“Exallievi Newsflash” wants to continue to be aclean and clear voice, which with simplicity pro-poses an enlightened and motivated answer tothe countless provocations of our time.

Let us support it with our prayer, collaborating,sending news, flashes, reports of significantevents. And then spreading it through the envi-ronments that we attend.

Let us not be afraid! Let us open our arms toChrist without surrendering to compromises, tothe tricks of the enemy, to our present time illu-sions, to the lies of the world.

Pierluigi Lazzarini

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WW E ARE A E ARE A FF AMILYAMILY !!Direzione Generale Opere Don BoscoVia della Pisana 1111 – 00163 Roma

Il Rettor Maggiore

DRAFT OF THE 2017 STRENNA

WE ARE A FAMILY!Every home, a school of Life and Love

1. WE ARE FAMILY! And we are born as afamily!The 2006 Strenna was already one focusedon the family. We have been referring to itever since.1 At the same time, the ecclesialevents that we have experienced after twosynods and the apostolic exhortation“Amoris laetitia” of Pope Francis, demand –gladly for us as Salesian Family – that wefocus our educational and pastoral attentionon the family.

All of us have the strong personalexperience having been born in a family. Weare born as a family, with the beauty andlimits of every family, but ultimately within afamily – a family that is the very concretehuman reality where the art of life and loveis Learned.

The family, we know well, is made of people– of persons who love, speak, share, andsacrifice themselves for the other membersof the family, defending at any cost theirown lives and the lives of their own. Onebecomes a person living in a family, growing,usually with one’s parents, breathing the

warmth of the home.It is in the family, in the home, that we are given a name and therefore dignity; that weexperience affection; that we cherish intimacy; that we learn to ask permission, askforgiveness, and give thanks.

The family is also – and we know it – the first school for children, the group indispensable forgiving the young a sense of belonging, and the best refuge for the elderly.All this is something of what all of us have lived in one way or another – the human,anthropological dimension of family.

At the same time, we do not lose the perspective of what the reality of the family means andof what God, who is Communion-Love, means, because the family is a great sign-sacrament ofthe Triune God who is Communion-Love.The family is also the mother’s womb in which the Son of God makes a journey of humanization.Besides, the addressees of this strenna are also the Salesian Family, which has a strong andever growing sense that “WE ARE FAMILY”.

As a religious group (congregations, institutes, associations of apostolic life, associations ofbelievers, etc.) we have a strong sense of the bond of religious family that unites us.Almost all our Salesian Family groups have collected in the various statutes the family spirit

1 Pascual Chavez, Letter of the Rector Major: “AndJesus increased in wisdom and in years and in fa-vour with God and man’ (Lk 2,52)”, ACG n. 392, pp.3-46.

SSTRENNATRENNA 20172017

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and the family atmosphere as a constitutive part of our being, and also our pastoral activitytoward the family, with families, for families.This foreword explains our duty as Salesian Family. Our duty is not only not to look in anotherdirection than the one in which the Universal Church is strongly involved, today under theleadership of Pope Francis. Rather, our duty is to give the Church’s direction a “Salesianreading” – as educators of children and youths – and to offer our humble contribution.

2. An invitation to a calm, open reading with a ready heart

I make first of all an invitation to a calm and open reading, one with the heart ready for dialogand encounter with what the apostolic exhortation says, so that it may help us as SalesianFamily to discover what the document offers. Such a reading is a gesture of love, as a SalesianFamily, on behalf of the reality of the family, acknowledged and extolled as a great gift of Godfor all. And it is also a gesture of love toward those who have successfully lived in fullness thisplan of God and who need our help, and maybe our accompaniment, to implement their plan fora life of conjugal and family love, which sometimes is broken or faces great difficulties.

The document is a service to humanity from the perspective of Catholic belief, and a truespiritual and pastoral treasure. And we get involved in it from the awareness that “we are aSalesian Family.”

The exhortation of the Pope is based on the teachings of previous Popes, St. John Paul II andBenedict XVI, and of the synodal assemblies of 2014 and 2015, whose final reports are frequentlyquoted. It summarizes the ecclesial reflection of many years, but it also introduces, at the sametime, a change of tone, language, and perspective from the canonical level to a pastoral one.The Pope himself says, «We need to be humble and realistic, acknowledging that at times… wehave proposed a far too abstract and almost artificial theological ideal of marriage, far removedfrom the concrete situations and practical possibilities of real families. This excessiveidealization, especially when we have failed to inspire trust in God’s grace, has not helped tomake marriage more desirable and attractive, but quite the opposite» (AL n. 36).

2.1 A synthesis of the content of the Pope’s exhortation: to discover our duty as a SalesianFamily with families

The text contains the already known characteristics of the magisterium of Pope Francis; it isa realistic, close, direct, and suggestive text. It is an open text that invites us to enter activelyinto the theme, not only passively receiving its ideas, but trying ourselves to live the mystery

of life and love within our own life and personal vocation. It is not adocument that speaks of the family in an abstract way, but onethat touches life, to give a word of encouragement to many people

who need it.

In the apostolic exhortation, the Pope traces the biblical andtheological, moral and pastoral “summa” concerning the family,

underlining the importance and beauty of the family based onmatrimony, inviting us to deepen the values of conjugal love, atrue gift of God for the life of human beings. It invites us to bring

out the positive and humanizing aspects of human love, which isa reflection of God’s love, which is always stronger than the

failures of our human plans.

The document contains nine chapters thatillumine the reality of matrimony and of thefamily fromdifferent pointsof view, tryingto harmonizethe presentationof the beauty ofthe divine planwith therealistic andm e r c i f u lattention to the manyshortfalls and painfulsituations that occurin real life. Eachchapter admirablyintertwines fidelityto the truth withcompassion and mercy. The document isillumined from the Word of God, withoutignoring the present situation, always fromthe perspective of faith in Jesus Christ. Lovein the family is always the main theme, withthe richness of fruitfulness and theeducation of children, and with pastoralsuggestions that may help on the journey insituations of fragility and imperfection.

Chapter 1, “In the Light of the Word”recalling the unity of doctrine and praxisneeded in the Church, underlines at thesame time that, on the basis of cultures,traditions, and challenges of variouscountries, some aspects of the doctrine ofmarriage may be interpreted “in a differentway.” It confirms the beauty of matrimonyformed by a man and a woman, and statesthe importance of dialog, of the spousalunion, and of family tenderness. It definesthe family not as an abstract ideal, but as a“craftsman’s task.”

In chapter 2, “The Experiences and Realitiesof Families” the survey extends to the realityand the challenges of families, with thedesire «to keep firmly grounded in reality»(AL n. 6), with a sociological and culturalperspective that seeks also to offer anuanced, realistic, and hopeful vision. It


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flees oversimplification, because the rangeof themes and particular contexts requiresa nuanced look. The exhortation does notcapture a «stereotype of the ideal family,but rather a challenging mosaic made up ofmany different realities, with all their joys,hopes, and problems. The situations thatconcern us are challenges. We should notbe trapped into wasting our energy indoleful laments, but rather seek new formsof missionary creativity» (AL n. 57).

Chapter 3, “Looking to Jesus: the Vocationof the Family” opens the door to the witnessof the Gospels, the teaching of the Church,

the sacramental reality, the complexity of irregular situations, and the transmission of lifeand faith to the children. «The experience of love in families is a perennial source of

strength for the life of the Church» (AL n. 88).

Chapter 4, “Love in Marriage” articulates in a beautiful way the well-known hymn to loveof 1 Cor 13. It does so with delicate beauty and displays the various aspects of reality,without idealizing («It is not helpful to dream of an idyllic and perfect love» AL n. 135) butaiming at the ideal: intimacy, shared life, love of friendship, dialog, conjugal love alwaysin a demanding dynamism of transforming growth. Recommendable are the words that

Pope Francis directly addresses to the young (nn. 131-132)...

Chapter 5, “Love Made Fruitful” speaks of a love that is expansive, fruitful, dynamic,passionate: words such as fruitfulness, generation, understanding of the father and the

mother in the process are key words. Rich is the reflection on “discerning the body” (ALnn. 185-186) and suggestive are the pages on “the extended family”: children, grandparents,brothers, and sisters, from “a big heart” (AL n. 196), alsoinviting families to be places of integration and points ofcontact between the public and the private spheres.A pastoral chapter was essential in order to enterconcrete life in depth. Chapter 6, “Some PastoralPerspectives” speaks to pastoral workers aboutmarriage preparation and accompaniment in thefirst years of married life, and does it with boldrealism. It invites us to «cast lights on crises,worries, and difficulties» (AL nn. 231ff.) because theyprovide a nuanced, dynamic, and complexapproach in which to locate particularquestions.

“Toward a Better Education of Children” is thetheme of Chapter 7 (AL nn. 259-290). Childrenare the hope that is open to the future. Through these pages appear the necessarycloseness and presence, the ethical formation, the figures of authority, the contexts, sexeducation (realistic and valid, without fear or superficiality), and the transmission of thefaith.

At the same time Pope Francis hopes that “everyone should feel challenged by Chapter 8,”which is entitled “Accompanying, Discerning, and Integrating Weakness” (AL nn. 291-312).Those who are looking for precise, severe norms will be disappointed. The Pope proposespastoral gradualism, invites to discernment, assumes the way of the “internal forum” (ALn. 300), highlights mitigating factors in pastoral discernment (AL n. 301) and places in thecenter the logic of mercy (AL n. 307). «This offers us a framework and a setting which helpus avoid a cold bureaucratic morality in dealing with more sensitive issues» (AL n. 312).

The ninth and last chapter is dedicated to “The Spirituality of Marriage and the Family” (ALnn. 313-325). In a stimulating and easy way, the Pope invites us to a spirituality of exclusiveand free love, which is a spirituality of care, consolation, and incentive. From faith Christunifies and illumines family life, even bitter days. Because of this, “Let us walk, families,let us continue to walk, and let us not lose hope”.

(Continued in the next issue)


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ment. Every sector of the society, the gov-ernment, the Church, military units, busi-nesses and teaching levels are formed andinfluenced by Don Bosco’s influence. Every-one had their say at the Congress.

The World-Wide Confederation is well or-ganized, with great targets and plans; with aleadership of quality. And many global ini-tiatives. The ex-students represent a largegroup of the Salesian Family, with over100.000 members coming from over 100countries.

In all of the world, millions of people havereceived a preparation in life based on theprincipals of Don Bosco, in a Salesian ora-tory or in schools. For those who would wantto learn more can visit our web-sitewww.exallievi.org.

After the Congress meeting I have spent aweek with the Don Bosco Technical School,Maliana; a new school with a three year ac-tivity. Saint Frances of Sales is cited with thephrase: “If you’re not too busy one shouldpray at least hour a day, otherwise for two”.With three hours of payers a day the stu-dents and the Salesian community keepsthem occupied and productive.

Many things have struck me: hundreds ofboys and girls of ages between 15 and 18, allfar away from their families, can eat threegood meals a day; all are studying to becomeelectricians in well equipped structures andfollowing a solid program. The studentsclean the school, help in the kitchen, gar-

dening and doing laundry. Helping in movingtons of cement and materials for construction.They do sports and play music, all together. Allof this surrounded by Salesian fraternity. Itwas such a pleasure for me to spend sometime with these young men and women full ofjoy, happiness, health, self-confidence, labori-ous, motivated and amusing: all honest andgood Christians. The future ex-students of DonBosco will help to form and to grow a new na-tion on the Earth.

It has been a wonderful experience to meetmany people from Asia and from around theworld in a joyous community of Salesian loveand fraternity. This has been my first journeyin Timor Est, and hopefully not the last. Thiscountry, the poorest in Asia, has a long way togo in terms of economical growth, but at thesame time has a solid Salesian foundation inwhich to do so.

Mr. Ashley, Australia DB Alumnus

Melbourne, Australia, December 30, 2016 –After a must due consultation with theProvincial Council and with P. Peter Hoang,Delegate Inspector of the Salesian Family, theAUL provincial nominated Mr. AshleyTrethowan as Provincial Delegate of SalesianEx-students, starting in January 2017.

Mr. Ashley is an alumni of the Sunbury Sale-sian College (Melbourne) and ex president ofthe National Australian Ex-student Associa-tion, bringing to this role his experience andcompetence, and his great love of Don Boscoand his past experience with the ex-studentsof Don Bosco all around the world. In fact, herepresented us at the 11th EAO congress in Dili,Timor Est the beginning of October last year.

«The Congress takes place every four yearsand that of 2016 was the fourth occasion inwhich I had a pleasure to attend. The first in1984 in Bombay-India.

In 1988 I was part of the organization com-mittee that was held in Melbourne, as Na-tional President of Australian Ex-Students, Iheld one of the opening speeches at the 1992Congress held in Macao.

At that time known as the Asia-Autralia re-gion, Ex-students Congress. For more than20 years Australia is well represented.Timor Est is a strongly catholic country, witha great Salesian heart. There is a long list ofvip ex-students that represent the Govern-

AshleyAshleyTrethowanTrethowan

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AustraliaAustralia

New Provincial Delegateof Ex Salesian Students

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SpainSpainDon Bosco with the prisoners in Jaén

Jaén, Spagna– We all know the strong impression made on Don Boscoby his visit to the prison. This was an episode that marked him deeplyas he got to know the prisoners’ stories of anger, hunger and exploi-tation. «These young people need a friend to guide them, to help themand educate them and take them to church on feast days». This is whythe Salesians in Jaén did not want to spend the feast of Don Bosco wi-thout a special memory for those in prison. There were two significantevents.The first was on 27 January with a visit to a group of young in-mates by some boys of the Don Bosco Foundation Project. The scree-ning of a film on the life of Don Bosco in the Day Centre, was followedby an interesting discussion on what the film meant to each of thosepresent.

Then a meal was organized in the parish halls for a total of about 70people, including several members of the Salesian Family. The activi-ties ended with an exchange of experiences during which some of thedetainees, who as boys had attended the Day Centre, were very moved.Another part of the celebration was a second meeting of teachers with

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past pupils of the Foundation who are in prison. This was an unfor-gettable experience both for the twenty detainees who participa-ted, and for the teachers.They recalled the time they had spent together and watched a videothat retraced those experiences and showed the care and attentionthe young people had received. «You were our family when we nee-ded it most»; «I loved you more than my parents»; «Despite the dif-ficulties we gave you, you were always on our side». These weresome of the comments of appreciation and affection that were heardin the midst of so much emotion.

JapanJapanNew Energy and Enthusiasm or the Catholic community in Japan

(ANS – Osaka) – The beatification ceremony of Blessed Justo Taka-yama Ukon (1552-1615), a Japanese Catholic noble man (daimyo) whodied in exile (Manila, Philippines) about 400 years ago, was held inOsaka on Tuesday, 7 February. The Beatification was presided over byCardinal Angelo Amato, SDB, Prefect of the Congregation for Saints.More than 20 Cardinals and Bishops from different countries atten-ded. Many members of the Salesian Family of Japan, SYM members,and SDB Aspirants accompanied by their formators, were present inthe Osaka-Jo Sports Hall. The liturgy was composed of prayers andsongs in different languages including Latin, Korean, Vietnamese, Ta-galog, Italian and English.The beloved late Bishop Francis Mizobe, SDB, spent a lot of time andenergy in research and divulgation of Dom Justo’s life and spirit. Justtwo years ago he said: «Through many challenges and difficulties, Justoexperienced conversion. Under persecution, he freely chose the gloryof God, not secular wealth or honour as a local lord. And he lived eve-ryday sincerely and calmly with prayer and kindness to the others. He

was not executed but martyred slowly. Justo shows us that to be amartyr is not only to die through execution, but also in prayer tolive life sincerely every day for the Lord Jesus, for ourselves andothers. That is a great message to today's Catholics who don't faceconstant persecution».The Beatification raised the visibility of the Catholic community inJapan with an echo also in secular politic life. Cardinal Amato wasinterviewed by NHK Television also for a simple reason, that the NHKannouncer Seiko Gakuin is also a Don Bosco Past Pupil from the Sa-lesian High School in Osaka.«Yes, we firmly believe that this Beatification is not the GOAL but aSTART to reform the spirituality of the whole Catholic Church inJapan” says Fr Achille Loro Piana, SDB» commenta il salesiano donAchille Loro Piana.

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UkraineUkraineA special anniversary for theSalesian Family

(ANS – Lviv) – The 25th anniversary of the firstcatholic grammar school in Ukraine was cele-brated on 27-29 January. This event is of spe-cial importance for the Salesian Family,because for the past 11 years the school hasbeen run by Salesians.

A conference on the history of the school andthe educational system in Ukraine took placeon Friday 27 January. The participants in theconference included many professionals fromthe board of education, teachers, priests and authorities from abroad, who shared their experience of running catholic schools. The event wasalso attended by the Patriarch of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, Mgr. Sviatoslav Shevchuk, the Nuncio for Ukraine, Mgr. Claudio Gugerotti,

the president of the European Committee for Catholic Education, Dr. Christine Mann, the WorldPresident of Salesian Past Pupils, Michal Hort, and many others.

During the evening, there was also a first informal meeting of the president Mr Hort with Past Pu-pils of the school including coordinators for every class. The director of the school, Fr Oleh Lad-nyuk SDB and the provincial Fr Karol Maník SDB, were also present. This was a sort of unofficiallaunch of the Salesian Past Pupils in Ukraine.

On Saturday, the programme continued. The day started with Mass. In the afternoon, all the peo-ple moved to the theatre where more than 500 people came to see the musical prepared by PastPupils. “Trade with souls” is the title of the production and the story is about the modern DonBosco in society.

There is a lot of work waiting for the Salesian Family in Ukraine. It is a huge challenge and re-sponsibility and it needs support and prayers.

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ArgentinaArgentinaMeeting of Past Pupilsof Don Bosco of Santa FeSanta Fe, Argentina - March 2017 - The PastPupils’ of Don Bosco of Santa Fe started theirannual activities with a meeting in the presenceof Archbishop José Maria Arancedo of SantaFe. He urged them to live the Lenten seasonand to continue to grow as the inheritors of theteachings of Don Bosco.

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The engineer came to Bosco Tech on Dec. 15to present Lovi with a certificate of appre-ciation from the internship program. «We’reextremely proud of Jacob - said Bosco TechPresident Xavier Jimenez -. Not only doeshe epitomize the 21st century skills that areinstilled in all Bosco Tech students- -re-sourcefulness, problem solving strategies,and technological competency-but he wasable to use those skills to identify and clearlypresent to his internship mentor a new,more efficient approach to a complex pro-cess».

Through Bosco Tech’s unique curriculum,students major in one of five STEM pro-

grams, Lovi is currently studying MaterialsScience, Engineering and Technology (MSET).After graduation, he plans to major in mate-rials engineering at the university level. Whilein high school, he has served as junior and se-nior class president, YMCA camp counselor,and a youth ministry leader at his church.

Celebrating its sixty second year, Bosco Techis an all-male Catholic high school that combi-nes a rigorous college-preparatory programwith a technology-focused education.

According to Niche.com, Bosco Tech ranks inthe top three of all-boys schools in the Los An-geles metro area and among the top 100 all-boys high schools in America. Founded in 2002by Carnegie Mellon University students as Col-legeProwler.com, Niche provides reviews fromeveryday experts on neighborhoods, colleges,and K-12 schools to provide students, familiesand professionals with insight into importantlife decisions. Visit www.boscotech.edu formore information.

California, Rosemead – A senior high schoolstudent at Don Bosco Technical Institute(Bosco Tech) who interned at The BoeingCompany this past summer developed an ideathat has the potential to save costs in thefactory. Jacob Lovi originally mentioned hisconcept to a test and evaluation engineer in-volved in the summer internship.

That engineer stated: «Jacob presented thematerial in a very clear manner, explainedthe potential benefit of the change, and ap-proximately how much it would cost to im-plement. Although his numbers werepreliminary, the thought process helped iden-tify potential savings».

United StatesUnited StatesA cost saving ideafor aerospace company,from a Bosco Tech student

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conference for the presentation of the acti-vities planned for the celebration of DonBosco, running from 23 January to 10 Fe-bruary.The Mayor stressed the importance of theSalesian presence in the Libertà area inBari. Their great commitment to educationdirectly helps many families in dire straits -not only economic - and offers benefits toall the citizens.

During the meeting, 6 plaques were awar-ded to boys who attended the school and theOratory of the Redeemer, as evidence oftheir current social and civil commitment inthe field of the judiciary, music, cooking and

volunteering. The attendance included Giu-seppe Gatti and Renato Nitti, members of theAnti-Mafia Directorate of Bari; doctor MicheleParisi of the Bari Court Judge; Chef DanieleCaldarulo, Captain of the Italian National as-sociation of cooks; doctor Giuseppe Cifarellisecretary of Don Bosco Today cultural wor-kshop and Francesco and Gaetano Occhiofino,known as Reverendo and Torto from the band"Bari Jungle Brothers".

«We are on the right road today when we re-ward young people we have formed» said theSalesian Rector, Fr Francesco Preite.

On Tuesday 31 January, day of the feast of DonBosco, the Salesian activities included a spacefor discussion of the theme "The family edu-cates to justice and peace".

The keynote speaker was the President of theassociation against the Mafia, Fr Luigi Ciotti,who also presided at the Eucharist in honour ofDon Bosco.

Italia, Bari – On the feast of Don Bosco, atthe Salesian Oratory of the Redeemer in Barithere were many events and meetings whichare a sign of the development of the youngand of hope for the future. Among the majorevents were the award of a plaque by the mu-nicipality of Bari to some important Salesianpast pupils and a visit to the Salesian centreof Fr Luigi Ciotti, a priest known for his com-mitment to the promotion of justice and thefight against the mafia.

On 26 January last, the mayor of Bari, Anto-nio Decaro, said: «The good or bad future ofsociety depends on the good or bad educa-tion of the young». This was during a press

ItalyItalyFeast of Don Bosco:Education to abide by the law

11

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48 Salesian ex-students coming from Malta, Italy;Slovakia, Slovania and Croatia, had a 4 day en-counter with a conference and consultations, onthe theme of Including the Youthful: education,commitment and opportunity. This project wasorganized by the National Federation of Ex-stu-dents and Friends of Don Bosco of Malta and co-financed with European Union “Erasmus +”

MaltaMaltaMeeting of Ex-students

of Don Bosco

taken place on the streets, in schools andamong school drop-outs.

Together they discussed questions relatedto juvenile poverty proposing ideas to the po-litical class.

During this conference, the ex-students alsohad an opportunity to share their ideas withpoliticians and members of Parliament.This meeting will bring up a publication that

will show the results and recommendationsbrought up in this project.

This initiative will answer the needs of youngpeople in poverty, contributing to a unifyingsociety.

In this way the ex European students of DonBosco are working for social dialogue, dedica-ting time and energy to face juvenile povertythrough voluntary service.

Sliema, Malta — March 2017 — Youthful po-verty is a reality today in Europe. Many ini-tiatives of formation and occupation cancontribute to face poverty among young peo-ple, but we know this is not enough.

Young Europeans, national and local gover-nments have to have a strategy to face everyform of juvenile poverty. That is why therewas encounter with young people to heartheir point of view. These encounters were

12

J J EE XX

Dili, Timor Est - October 6 2016It has taken place in Dili the XI congress of the Salesian Family in Asia East-Oceania, organizedby the ex-students of Don Bosco on the subject matter “Serving the Lord through our fellow men,promoting good matters, economic solidarity and social justice”.There was 380 representatives of various Salesian Family groups coming from 11 different coun-tries. Also present was Michal Hort, World-Wide President of Ex-students.

Timor EstTimor EstXI Congress of Salesian FamilyXI Congress of Salesian Familyin Asia East-Oceaniain Asia East-Oceania

13

Assosiation in Timor Est. In July 2015 toge-ther with friends from the Minor Seminaryof Venilale have created our locale associa-tion: Associacao dos Antigos alunos de BeatoFilipe Rinaldi.

I was appointed Secretary. Furthermoreafter my degree I joined the MGS in 2003,being active in numerous events: MGSForum, Conforence and Rhetorical, presentup until today.

Within the SYM in 2003-2009 I have crea-ted a drama club called Teatriku Juvenil,being nominatd as MGS senior and educa-tor.

Since my degree in psychology and masterin Management in Human Resources in anAustralian university, I am also mediator forUNICEF (2003), in the campaign of HIV/AIDSamong young people.

I am a volunteer in auto-workshops and incapacity in communications for SDB andFMA.

When necessary I offer my consultations forthe youth in Don Bosco Comore».

Your involvement in last Octobers 11thCongress of Dili?

«For the 11th Congress of Alumni of Timor

Est, I was master of ceremony, but also a plandirector of brainstorming.I was strongly involved in preparing this Con-gress, especially in preparing the celebrationof the Holy Eucharist (the readings, the songsand the choir during the three days of the Con-gress)».

Your feelings and thoughts about this newresponsibility?

«I am very honored to have been nominatedGEX Counsellor of Asia I can’t wait to work sideby side with the ex-students of Asia, especiallyin the EAO region, learning from each otherhow to approach young people in need.

I dream that as an Don Bosco Alumni am ableto give them greater support: formation, en-hancing their talents and skills, teaching themto be honest citizens and good Christians.

As a regional counselor I’ll try to extend ournetwork within the Asian counties, with an everopened communication and to create a betterconnection between us. In this way we canreach our goals that are pointed out in the EAOPlan of Don Bosco Alumni 2021.

This is a new chapter for me and I am readyfor any further responsibilities, with the helpof our Mother Mary and under the blessing ofDon Bosco.Pray for me!».

Dili, Timor Est - Dicember 15, 2016

The 11th Regional EAO Congress of Family ofEx Salesian Students has brought many re-sults for the participants coming from 11countries around the world.

However there was another unexpecting re-sult, the nomination of Mr. Alberto Alves Pie-dade (age 32, from Dili, Timor Est) to RegionalCounselor of Asia for GEX; he is the first exDon Bosco student to be nominated to thistitle.(2016-2021).

Your passed Salesian life?

«My name is Alberto Alves Piedade, 32 yearsold, born in the capital Timor Est, Dili. I amthe 4th of 7 siblings (3 boys and 4 girls).My father has passed away last year and nowin or home in Dili there are my mother andtwo younger sisters.Since 2015 I work in the Ministry of Finance ascollaborator of public-finance in CapacityBuilding Center.I attended the Minor Seminary of the Holy Fi-lipe Rinaldi, Venilale (1997-1999), then goingto Majority Seminary of San Giovanni Bosco,Fatumaca (2000-2002)».

How did you become involved with the Ex-students of Don Bosco Assosiation?

«I am an active member of the Ex-students

Interview to AlbertoInterview to AlbertoAlves PiedadeAlves Piedade

Regional Counselor of AsiaYoung Ex-students of Don Bosco

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14

HONESTHONEST CITIZENSCITIZENS ANDAND GOODGOOD CCHRISTIANSHRISTIANS

IndiaIndiaSuccess Stories Among

Ex-students ofDon Bosco Tech in Dimapur

That of Velhukholu Keyho is that much simi-lar: even the girl which comes from a tinyvillage in Nagaland, she is the oldest dau-ghter in her family and when she finishedher studies started to work immediatelyafter, in an hotel. But in 2011 she decided toattend a hotel industry course “Beauty andWellbeing” given by a Salesiarian Center.Starting that way her ever growing carrier,with opportunities to work in many hotelsand in many other cities.

«Many people ask me where I come fromand in which Management Institute I gra-duated from» says the young girl.

«With pride I answer that I attended a tri-mestral course at Don Bosco Tech in Dima-pur. When I look back at my past I am verygrateful to this Institute. If I didn’t take partof the formation program I would have beenlooked up in my little world, without knowingthe realty of the world. I am very happy andmy parents are very proud of me becausethis way I’m also helping my brothers andsisters.Thank you Don Bosco Tech for giving me thisgreat opportunity at the right time!».

(ANS-Dimapur) - Offers an opportunity ofgrowth of human and professional develop-ment, other then spiritual growth, which is al-ways a priority for Salesian members. DonBosco Tech in Dimapur, India, is one of thosesalesian structures that point out for this.And the results of this pledge stands out, inthe lives of the students and ex-students.

The young Ezonthung coming from Wokha,State of Nagaland. His parents are farmersand he is the eldest son. This is why he coul-dn’t proceed in his studies as he wished, assoon he graduated from high school he star-ted to work as an real estate agent.

This job permitted him to help his family, butwas very difficult, because he had to com-mute on very few and bad-shaped roads.After a year he heard about the opportunity ofa technical formation offered by Don BoscoTech, so he decided to return to school. Heattended the hotel industry course of the Sa-lesian Institute and stared training in a hotelin Cochin. Now he is a representative in publicrelations in a hotel, and earns 2 times asmuch as when being a realty agent. And hasother opportunities to professionally grow.

15

PakistanPakistanA letter for the Marthyrdom

Cause of Akash Bashir,Salesian Ex-Student

many other lives with this courageous act oflove».

Unfortunately there were 20 deaths and about80 wounded, but it would have been worse ifthe terrorist would have got into the church.

«This is why I’m rending Mr. Akash Bashir’scase, who has sacrificed his life for all his pa-rishioners. (…) The Youhanabad ChristianCommunity is proud of their young hero, AkashBashir, and is asking Your Excellency to tran-smit our request to our Holy Pope and to anyother relevant Congregation for the case ofmartyr».

«Our community is praying for this purpose,for you and for all the Churches of Pakistan»the letter concludes.

Christians are a minority in Pakistan-only 2%of a population of 190 million people.Here Christians a mostly poor, but rich in faith,highly interested in the Word of Christ.

cesan Vicar General, that on last January6th sent a letter to Mons. Francis Shaw OFM,Archbishop, to “officially request and pro-ceed to proclaim Akash Bashir a MARTYR, tohonor his sacrifice in church at Yauhanbad”.

«I also - continues the letter - am a witnessof this terrifying attack that has taken placein my church during mass, with 2500 fai-thful present at that moment on March 52015 (…)

Akash Bashir, a young boy of 18 years old,was one of the persons in service of secu-rity at the doors of the church, with greatcourage he tried to pull the kamikaze away,even when the bomber showed him whatwas under his jacket.

But Akash was so full of love for his Churchand full strength of the Holy Spirit that hedid not think for his own life. He struggledto stop the bomber up until they explodedtogether. Akash died that instant but saved

(ANS-Lahore) - With 450,000 Catholics inPakistan, Lahoree has the majority.

This city is unfortunately known for severalterrorist attacks: like the one at Easter 2016that killed 78 persons and 300 wounded, mo-stly Christians; or the double attacks onMarch 15, 2015, against a Protestant and Ca-tholic church in the Youhannabad district.

In that occasion, a young ex Salesian student,Akash Bashir, sacrificed his life to protect hisfellow congregation to avoid a slaughter in St.John’s Catholic Church; and now the Vicar Ge-neral is attempting a cause to nominate himmartyr.

Youhannabad is one of the most populated di-strict of all Pakistan with the biggest numberof Christians, founded in 1963 by father Hen-nry, a catholic priest.

This is where we find “St. John’s” Church, andwhere father Francis Gulzar, who is the Dio-

HONESTHONEST CITIZENSCITIZENS ANDAND GOODGOOD CCHRISTIANSHRISTIANS

16

SSOLIDARITYOLIDARITY

SpainSpainSolidario Concert“Encantados con la Navidad”in the Salesian House of Alicante

Alicante, Spain - The choir made up of boys and girls, parents, ex-students sang Christmas songs, directed by Anabel Garcia, professorof the Salesian College, has had a goal: a concert to raise funds for“SOS Syria” project.

both Congregations, concentrating their sup-port for families most in need.Third goal is to map out a list of all ex-studentsthat have abandoned the war and that are nowrefugees in other European countries.

This project is aiming to withstand in two ways:putting them in contact with ex-students tohelp them integrate in the host country andalso to ensure a Salesian fellowship among theSalesians in the Mid East.

coordinator of DOP, for a better use of thesedonations.

Among the goals: maintain families ofAleppo; even though violence seems to havestopped, the needs are enormous.

Second goal is to develop, with the help ofalumni of Aleppo and Damascus, a list of allthe students that still live in Syria and tostart the activities with the ex-students of

During 2016, the Worldwide Confederation hascollected more than € 7000 in a goal to helpSyrian alumni, and that these past 6 yearsare suffering a dramatic situation caused bythe war.

From December 16-20, 2016, Vice PresidentAngelo Gudiña has visited the headquartersof the Province of the Mid East in Bethlehem,in order to cooperate with the ProvincialTreasury, P. Alejeandro Leon and Adele Amato,

Mid EastMid EastSolidarity Project:

“Help yourSyrian brother”

17

SSOLIDARITYOLIDARITY

Plan of Action 2017-2023 for governing: a sim-ple instrument, clear and stimulating, a resultof consultations brought up last November byAsian East-Oceania’s Regional Counselors.

Of the twelve passages there are many of ex-treme importance: formation, to uphold andshare missions with laity, and to accompanyyoung men and women in the Cambodia Dele-gation».

How do you feel about this new mandate?

«My thoughts go in particular to the impor-tance of joint responsibility with laity and withSalesian collaborators. n Thailand there are a great numbers of alumnithat should be more active and considered.Even though there are few Catholics amongthem, they love Don Bosco and should be agreater resource for our mission, in particu-lar for the young ones.We should help them to open up towards ourworldwide Salesian community».

How was your stay at the Major Rectory?

«I’ve spent 5 days at the “Pisana”, sharingmy everyday life with the Major Rector andhis Counselors.I had a personal meeting with the X Succes-sor of Don Bosco, Don Ángel Fernàndez Ar-time, with his Vicar, don Francesco Cereda,and with his 5 Sector Counselors: Forma-tion, Pastoral Youth, Social Communications,Missions and Economy.I have always felt their support and accom-panied, they let me listen and talk out; thiswas very useful for me to start my new roleas Inspector».

What has this left you after this meeting?

«I’m leaving with a luggage full of books, thatI have received by the General Counselorsand a new version of the Salesian Cross forour Directors.But most of all with the personal meetingwith the Major Rector, I have received the

Thailand, Bangkok - On February 2 Don JohnBosco Thepharat Pitisant has taken office asInspector of Thailand.

Before he was the Superior, from 2005 to2011 and recently has spent 5 days at GeneralHouse «to receive the roadmap of action».

This is how he commended on his experience.

How do you feel about this nomination tonew Inspector?

«I was very surprised when I received aphone call from the Major Rector!

After a series of prayers I said yes, with se-renity and trust in the guidance in God.

I am already 66 years old and I never expec-ted this new calling.

But in this past month I’m getting used to thisnew mission».

ThailandThailand“Starting with a

profound sense ofcommunion and bearing”

18

RREGIONIEGIONI

Rome, Italy - March 2017- Father Antonio Spadaro, Jesuit, Edi-tor Director of theme magazine “La Civiltá Cattolica”, the mostancient in Italian language (1850), has been nominated a com-ponent of the National Presidency of the Italian Federation ofExalumni of Don Bosco, in quality of ex-student non salesian.Father Antonio Spadaro was born in Messina on July 6, 1966. Hewas formed at “San Luigi” High School of Messina and has at-tended for many years the San Domenico Savio oratory in the

After a moment of pure astonishment I said“oh my God” and then with great disbelief:“Your Holiness?”. I even asked how to callhim and he said not to worry about that».

Why does he often talk about the elderlywhen talking to young people

«It derive from his global vision of theChurch. Never leaving anybody out. Theyoung people need a hope for the future, andat the same time the elderly need assi-stance but frequently excluded. So to have ahealthy society all age levels must concen-trate on the elderly, because our societyneeds youthful energy and at the same timetheir wisdom. Francis sees the worlds’ fu-ture and past as one, so that is why he talksa lot to young men and women about the el-derly. He doesn’t try to speak ideologicalwhen talking to young people. He talks to

The InterviewThe InterviewHow did you become a collaborator ofPope Francis?

«It might sound strange, but the truth is thathe simply called me on my cellular phone. Iwas surprised myself. I didn’t know what tosay».

He just called and said “Hello, I’m PopeFrancis”?

«Exactly. It was funny actually because thatday I had to speak at a seminary at 7 p.m. andmy phone rang at 6:55 p.m. I didn’t know thenumber that was calling and I was puzzled onanswering know I was running late.

Well, I answered asking who was calling so Icould call back later, but at the same momentI heard: “Hello, this is Pope Francis calling”.

Father SpadaroFather SpadaroNominated as a component ofthe National Presidency of theItalian Federation Of Exalumniof Don Bosco

same city. He has been part of Ragazzi of Don Bosco(RDB) and was one of the founders of Young SalesianMovement.He studied philosophy-theology at the Theological Insti-tute “S. Tommaso”, and at the Salesian Pontifex Univer-sity; degree in Philosophy at the University of Messina in1988 and in 2000 and a Doctorate in Theology in the Gre-gorian Pontifex University.

them including the whole society-as it ac-tually is-with elderly living with and aroundthem.At a religious level, then again, he uses manysignals that can only enforce this identity».

For example what kind of signals?

«The washing of the feet during the holymass on Maundy Thursday. He chooses spe-cial places for this celebration: a prison, arefugees center, ect. ect. He personally wa-shes the feet of men, women, prisoners andMoslems. We should take consider of this asa sign that can reclaim our European iden-tity. For Francis, these roots of EuropeanChristianity are not abstracted values to de-fend against enemies. These are roots Plan-ted directly by Jesus: He served and washedothers’ feet. These are the real roots of Eu-rope».

19

(ANS - Rome) - There was a series of encounters with various wor-king groups of Don Bosco Network held in the Salesian building in Rome.Many organizations present: “Via Don Bosco” (Belgium), “VIS” and “Mis-sioni Don Bosco” (Italy), “SWM” (Poland), “Don Bosco Mission” and “DonBosco Mondo” (Germany), “Jovenes y Desarollo” (Spain), “BOSCO-NET/PARA” (India), from “Don Bosco International” and Ex-students ofDon Bosco. The various representatives shared their experience, ma-terials and “know-how” to plan an efficient cooperation frame-workto support Salesian Mission world-wide.

The members of the Working Group on Education and Development haveshared materials and projects for the formation and training of youngmen and women and their global mission.

An ONG International OXFAM spokesman, specialist in global education,offered many suggestions on effective measures of development on aEuropean level, pointing out the importance to use means of social anddigital communication to involve young people and teachers.

Don Guillermo Basanes, Secretary General of Missions and Don GeorgeMenamparampil, Coordinator of Missions have also taken part of thismeeting.

Together with Don Fabio Attard, General Counselor for Young Pastorals,the Salesian Family have animated a a fine synergy and cooperationwith the International Defence of Human Rights; bringing up helpful do-cuments for Sustainable Development Agency, Juvenile UnemployedAgency, to make a Salesian political-legal guardianship. FundamentalRights Agency of the European Union have also offered their coopera-tion and know-how about this subject.

Mr. Paul Muller, General Economist of the Salesians, showed and pre-sented his initiatives to support and undertake on three points: emer-gency policy in countries hit with disaster; the strengthening ofPlanification and Development Office (PDO) and the “Don Bosco TechAfrica”, Technical-Professional Salesian Schools in Africa.

Katarzyna Kucic

Working Meeting ForWorking Meeting ForDon Bosco NetworkDon Bosco Network

SSALESIANALESIAN FFAMILYAMILY

20


don’t live in their homes.The Salesian “Good night” was given by MotherGeneral of the Daughters of Maria Ausiliatrice,Mother Yvonne Reungoat.

The day after, Don Andrea Bozzolo’s reportconcentrated on the Salerian reading of “Amo-ris Laetitia”. The second half of the day wasdedicated to present various grupps that workspecifically with families.

Among them was the School of Formation ForAnimated Families, founded in Rome in 2005,born in association with “Cerchi d’Onda”, onbehalf of the works of “Borgo Ragazzi di DonBosco” (600 families and 1.500 persons werehelped).

In Giarre, near Catania, next to the SalesianSpiritual Center “Casa Tabor” stands “Meta-cometa” Association, founded and animated bySalvo and Linda Cataldo, a married couple,(with 500 minors, pointed out by Courts andSocial Services, offers the warmth of a family).

night”. The second morning was the day ofthe presentation of Strenna Prize 2017 bybehalf of the Major Rector.

«In front of situations that today many fa-milies must face, the Salesian Family has toanswer back in accompanying and to gene-rate a process in the pastoral-educationCommunity».

It was General Counselor for Young Pasto-rals turn and said «Today there is a need ofa new way to preach that has to be broughtup by the pastoral family».

The Spanish psychologist Virginia Cagijal ou-tlined the theme “To Accompany the Family-Keys to Listening and Understanding”, takenout from the book “Amoris Laetitia”.

One of the most beautiful experiences wasin meeting Salvo Adamo and his wife, whowere hosting in their home boys and girls,teen-agers and young men and women, that

The great spiritual gathering characterizesthe appointment that every year brings toge-ther all representatives of the Don Bosco Fa-mily. Theme of this 35th edition, as traditionwants, the Major Rector Prize: “WE Are Fa-mily. Every home, a school of Life and Love”.

«We have had many new subscribers fromthe Salesian Family - says Don Joan LluisPlaya, head organizer - to be nourished byGod and to enforce their Salesian identity».

The Salesian bibliographer Don Jose Barto-lome, talking about «Jesus of Nazareth’s ex-perience in the synoptic gospels» explains:«God wants to resemble us to save us, andwants to be born in a family… God wants tolearn and to be one of us, grow as a man in afamily, cradle of life and love, a place whereman is born and grows».

After greetings from Don Eusebio Muñoz, De-legate of Major Rectory of the Salesian Fa-mily, Don Artime offered his thought on “good

FamilyFamilyMissionaryMissionaryin the Worldin the World

21


The Auxiliary Mary Assosiation (ADMA) hasover 20 years developed specific coursesfor the Families, always based on two pillarsidentified by Don Bosco: the Eucharist andthe Virgin Mary.The same experience we find in “HogaresDon Bosco”, an ecclesiastical movement ofPastorale Familiares, founded in Spain in1965 by the Salesiani Cooperatori. A world-wide movement found in 8 countries, withover 100 groups of couples in Spain only.

At Bratislava in Slovakia, Mr. and Mrs. Bagin,Salesian co-operators, have just startedtheir experience with family consultation.Kamil and Katerina Bagin offer young cou-ples preparation courses and an opportu-nity for voluntary service, listening anddialogue.

Celebrating the conclusive mass, the MajorRector said: «We, the Salesian Family, livein this world, in our societies, to be wit-nesses of Light! Two words can sum up theview of the year 2017: High convergence,in all we do».

And concluded by saying to all of the par-ticipants and to all of the Salesian Family:«We are all called to be salesian missionar-ies among families all around the world».

22


CambodiaCambodiaFirst Edition of Salesian Family Day

Phnom Penh, Cambodia - On January 14 it has taken place the firstedition of the Salesian Family Day in the Inspectorate of the Daughtersof Mother Mary in Cambodia. About 50 people have taken part amongSalesians, FMA, Salesian co-operators, Ex-students, Sisters of the Im-maculate Heart of Mary and Don Bosco volunteers.

KenyaKenyaSalesian Family Day

Nairobi, Kenya - In January 21 was held the Salesian Family Day 2017in which many representatives of the Salesian Family of Kenya haveparticipated which was held at “Don Bosco Upper Hill” in Nairobi. Du-ring that day SDB, FMA, Catechist Sisters of Immaculate Mary, VIDES,Ex-students, Salesian co-operators and representatives and youngmen and women of various institutes have carried out the presenta-tion of Strenna 2017 of the Major Rector and have shared moments ofgiving and brotherhood.

23We know how much Don Bosco loved his pupils. Once they completedtheir educational programmehe followed them, invited them, welco-med them, guided them, he admonished them when necessary, he wor-ried about their wellbeing, above all, he was concerned about theirspiritual life.

«With your presence you assure me that the principles of our holy re-ligion that I taught you are set firmly in your hearts and that these arethe guidelines for our lives…»2.On another occasion, speaking to the Past Pupils, he said: «One thingI urge you, my dear children, more than any other and that is: where-ver you might be, always show yourselves to be good Christians and ho-nest citizens… Many of you already have families. So, share theeducation you received in the oratory from Don Bosco, with your nea-rest and dearest»3.

From a practical point of view, «Don Bosco offered his youths the pos-sibility of making the “education received” bear fruit, either in the com-mitted group of Past Pupils, or in the Pious Union of Co-operators, inthe priesthood or religious life, or in his Salesian Congregation. Whatis interesting to stress, was the importance he gave to the richness ofeducation in the Oratory»4.

In answer to the deep love of Don Bosco, on the 24th June 1870, on theoccasion of the feast of Saint John the Baptist and Don Bosco’s name-day feast, «a dozen Old Boys officially met; they chose as their leaderthe kind-hearted and generous Carlo Gastini, who always consideredthe Oratory to be his second family; they were committed to find agreater number of members; then they appointed a commission to bebetter organised, for the future, the annual expressions of affection andgratitude»5.Amongst the many initiatives achieved in direct contact with Don Bosco,for the benefit of the Old Boys, as they used to be called at that time,we recall a particularly significant one. It was the year 1878.«Don Bosco proposed a Mutual Aid Society to the Old Boys to face upto current difficulties, even financially. “Make sure this advantage is notlimited only to yourselves, but is extended to those youths of good con-duct that you already know, or to all of you who are here at the mee-ting”.Carlo Gastini, leader of the Old Boys, immediately took the organizationinto hand, using a statute drawn up several years before by Don Boscohimself for an identical institution amongst young workers»6.

«Little by little, especially after the death of Don Bosco, the Old Boysorganised themselves into local groups, unions and societies, right upto the proper organisation promoted by Don Filippo Rinaldi»7.From 1901 onwards, different stages of organisation followed one ano-ther. «The structure was formally created at the 1st International Con-

Preface

Statute of theStatute of theWorld ConfederationWorld ConfederationPræit ac tuetur - Guide and protect Us

Rome, 5 december 2015

2 MB XVII, p. 173-4.3 MB XIV, p. 511.4 E. VIGANÒ, The Past-Pupils of Don Bosco, in: “Acts of the General Council of the Sa-

lesian Society of St. John Bosco”, LXVIII (1987) 321, p. 9.

5 E. VIGANÒ, op. cit., pp. 6-7.6 MB XIII, p. 759.7 E. VIGANÒ, op. cit., p. 7.

WWORLDORLD SSTATUTETATUTE

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gress of the Old Boys in 1911, as a Federation of the various local unions,clubs and societies. Until then they had been called “Old Boys”8; fromthat date onwards they were called “Past Pupils”»9. The creator andpromoter of this initiative was Don Rinaldi himself. «Thus he was ableto give an overall structure to a movement of affections, of gratitude,of life ideals, that made the “education received” and experienced amore alive and working force»10.Arturo Poesio, a late president of the Confederation, writes: «The elo-quence of Don Rinaldi was simple, spontaneous, paternal and convin-cing. Only once he adopted a language of authority, by declaring, in hiscapacity as Rector Major of the Salesian Society of Saint Frances ofSales, that the organisation of the Past Pupils must be included in those“novas familias” that have flourished in the Holy Church thanks to DonBosco, which are alluded to the Saint’s own Oremus»11.

The foundations of this organization started by Don Bosco and com-pleted by Don Rinaldi, the Association of the Past Pupils has been ex-panding ever more in all Salesian works through organised andcoordinated structures.

The various events held over the decades bear witness to this. ThePast Pupils have always shown themselves to be affectionate childrenand with an ever greater commitment to operate in society.The Past Pupil’s Association has over 100 years of life. It is a compre-hensive institution through the efforts of past and present secular per-sons, laity, religious and Salesian Priests who were committed with astrong sense of belonging; who led and governed the Association ac-cording to established criteria of theirera; who were able to acceptboth the difficult and the good times without being discouraged, withaudicity, steadfastness and dedication; people who were willing to offertheir time and their work to consolidate this monument of thanks to DonBosco, the World Confederation of Past Pupils, with people from gene-rous families who have understood what it means to serve society, theChurch, the Salesian Family and the Association itself without com-plaining12.

As a sign of gratitude and thanks, I think that it is appropriate to, atleast, mention the Presidents and the World Delegates who have ser-ved the World Confederation with exemplary dedication. The Presi-dents: Piero Gribaudi, Felice Masera, Arturo Poesio, José MaríaTaboada, José María González Torres, Giuseppe Castelli, Antonio Guil-hermino Pires, Francesco Muceo and Michal Hort who was elected on

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the 5th October 2015.The World Delegates: don Giorgio Gustave Seriè, don Guido Borra, donLuigi Fiora, don Umberto Bastasi, don Carlo Borgetti, don Charles Cini,don Henri Alen, don Mark Vellanganny, don Jerônimo da Rocha Mon-teiro e don José Pastor Ramírez Fernández. I wish to also rememberTommaso Natale, who for many years, served as General Secretary. Toall these people, a deep and sincere thanks.

Various successive Rector Majors also gave their contribution in theanimation of the Past Pupils, and with them, many other Salesians.Amongst them, which you cannot but mention, are don Luigi Ricceriand don Giovanni Raineri.An authentic example is that of the late don Egidio Viganò who wrote ameaningful and stimulating letter regarding the animation and gui-dance of the Past Pupils by the Salesians of Don Bosco which will al-ways remain a fundamental document for the Past Pupils themselves.Don E. Vecchi offered a rich contribution to the Confederation in the“8th National Congress of Past Pupils of Don Bosco of Italy. Renew forRenewal” in Rimini on the 10th to the 13th October 1996 in his variousinterventions.The former Rector Major, don Pascual Chávez Villanueva, during thevarious animation visits to the Provinces and in various meetings withthe Past Pupils has shown interest in the Association inviting one and

8 Today in Spain they are using again the term Old Pupils.9 E. VIGANÒ, op. cit., p. 10.

10 E. VIGANÒ, p. 10; E. Ceria, “Life of God’s Servant Fr. Filippo Rinaldi”, SEI, p. 252.11 “Congregation for the Causes of Saints”, Positio, Rome 1972, p. 28.12 J.P. RAMÌREZ, “Un passato glorioso, un presente impegnativo, un futuro incorag-

giante”, Key note Speech presented by the World Delegate in the “5th World Elec-tive Statutary Assembly” which took place in Rome between the 3rd and the 6thOctober 2015.


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all to have «professional skill, moral conscience and social commit-ment». Further, he asks them to defend their values at all costs, aboveall: those of life, freedom and truth.The present Rector Major, Don Ángel Fernández Artime, whenever hemeets the Salesian Family encourages members to live in communion,in collaboration, to grow in the spirit of belonging towards their owngroups and the Salesian Family, and not to com plain. «Our strength isto live a true life of communion and fra ternity that is more evangeli-cal in order to be more consultative, attractive in itself, offer our com-munial service within each of our institutions or groups, and within oursame Family whom we speak the same language».

Don Artime comments: «continually encourages the Past Pupils, notto lament, no need to focus on the past, but project yourselves intothe future considering the risks of the local associations, Federationsand the Confederation. Dear Past Pupils, strengthen your commitmentwithin the reality in which you work. Let’s go back by being young atheart, offer help to those who need it, to leave a sign of our own exi-stence. Truth must be shown, not only in written form, but to live withcourage! It is your turn to act upon the consequences, your turn tosave those who need your attention, it is your turn to build a soundfoundation for a new future. I believe that all of you, Past Pupils, havethe requisites to face these challenges as lay people in the world today,the ability to bring to reality what you received over the years, use

them concretely. Furthermore, appreciate also what you are daily re-ceiving in all the Salesian environments»13.The Salesians’ General Chapter XXII defines how the Past Pupils be-long to the Salesian Family and endorses it in Article 5 of the Consti-tutions. It gives their “received education” as the reason of theirbelonging: this education actually causes to be born in them throughdifferent levels of participation in the Salesian mission in the world…«The Past Pupils are, in themselves, particularly well prepared, thanksto the education and formation they received, to assume responsibili-ties of collaboration according to the proper objectives of the Sale-sian project. The choice of evangelisation made by many of them is notan alternative to the education they received, but a privileged expres-sion of it: therefore it does not constitute a different title to be appliedto a sort of new Group»14.The purpose of living this “received education” caused various localcentres to emerge which were grouped into Provincial and NationalFederations. These, together, constitute the World Confederation whichis the structured body through which the sense of belonging to the Sa-lesian Family is expressed.

(Continued in the next issue)


EXALLIEVI NEWSFLASHReligious and Social magazine of the World Confederation of Ex-students of Don BoscoDirector and EditorSalesiani - Via della Pisana 1111 - C.P. 18333 - 00163 Roma - Italiatel. + 0039 06 656 12609E-mail: [email protected]: www.exallievi.org

Editor CollaboratorPierluigi Lazzarini

StaffStefan Bosnak, Maurizio Bruni, Silvia Bruni, Vito Gentili, Angel Gudiña, Michal Hort, don Jayapalan Raphael, Yeudy Jiménez,Katarzyna Kucic, Peter Kovac, Bryan Magro, Fernando Núñez, Gian Francesco Romano

TranslationEnglish (Giulia Pelosi and Ex-students of the Holy Heart Union of Rome), French (journalistic Writing), Portoguese (AntónioGuilhermino Pires), Spanish (P. Eduardo Monje)

Photography and Images: ANS Archive

13 V. MARTORANA, “I am the Father of all of the Salesian Family, Let’s Create Commu-nion. Not Complaints!”, Voci Fraterne, XLVI (2015) 1, p. 18 and 19.

14 “Guide to reading the comments to the Salesian Constitutions”, p. 115.

SSALESIANALESIAN CCALENDARALENDAR

26

AA PRILPRIL

16 - Santa Pasqua17 - Lunedì dell’Angelo23 - Divina Misericordia30 - San G.B. Cottolengo

MM AYAY

1 - San Giuseppe Artigiano6 - San Domenico Savio13 - Santa Maria D. Mazzarello16 - San Luigi Orione18 - San Leonardo Murialdo24 - B.V. Maria Ausiliatrice26 - San Filippo Neri29 - Beato Giuseppe Kowalski

JJ UNEUNE

8 - Beato Stefano Sándor12 - Beato Francesco Kesy e compagni21 - San Luigi Gonzaga23 - San Giuseppe Cafasso24 - Festa del Grazie al Rettor Maggiore (*)

JJ ULYULY

4 - Beato Piergiorgio Frassati7 - Beata Maria Romero Meneses

AA UGUSTUGUST

2 - Beato Augusto Czartoryski25 - Beata Maria Troncatti26 - Beato Zeffirino Namuncurà

SS EPTEMBEREPTEMBER

22 - Beato Giuseppe CalasanzBeato Enrico S. Aparicio

e compagni martiri

OO CTOBERCTOBER

5 - Beato Alberto Marvelli13 - Beata Alexandrina M. da Costa24 - San Luigi Guanella29 - Beato Michele Rua

NN OVEMBEROVEMBER

13 - Beato Artemide Zatti15 - Beata Maddalena Morano

DD ECEMBERECEMBER

5 - Beato Filippo Rinaldi8 - Immacolata Concezione

25 - Santo Natale

NOTES FROM THE CONFEDERATION

AA PRILPRIL

27-30Madrid (Spagna) - World Board

OO CTOBERCTOBER

12-15Samoëns (Francia) - Eurobosco

(*) The Salesian’s House, celebrate the festivity “Grace to Major Rector”, Don Angel Fernandez Artime. Since 1870 in Valdocco, on Saint Johnthe Baptist Day, which is celebrated on June 24th, the ex-students gave grace to Don Bosco expressing their gratitude. Reliving this tra-dition, the Salesians will celebrate the Major Rector with a brotherly encounter.

BIRTHDATES OF THE CONFEDERATION

23 may - Bryan Magro25 may - Ángel Gudiña Canicoba

23 june - Pierluigi Lazzarini25 june - Stefan Bosnak

27 july - Vito Gentili7 august - Polydor Lokombe

9 september - don Raphael Jayapalan12 october - Michal Hort24 october - Peter Kovac

6 november - Rajesh Gupta15 november - Silvia Bruni

29 november - Fernando Nuñez Arce

MM AYAY

21-23Torino (Italia) - World Advisory

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