Posted May 8, 2008
Sudan – The first two Salesian priests
(Khartoum) – On Sunday May 4, 2008 the first two Salesian priests in Sudan were ordained in the square in front of St. Matthew Cathedral in Khartoum.
Fr. John Bosco Attilio and Fr. James Lual Lual were ordained by Bishop Daniel Adwok Kur, auxiliary Bishop of Khartoum as Cardinal Gabriel Zubeir Wako, Archbishop of the city, presided. Nearly two thousand people were present at the ordination ceremony including many Salesians, Sisters and religious and diocesan priests.
Cardinal Zubeir Wako expressed his gratitude to the Salesians for their work in the Sudan and prayed that many other young men would follow in the footsteps of these two new priests.
Germany – The Salesians supporting the young in Africa
( Regensburg) - “On the Side of the Young: the Salesians of Don Bosco for youth in Africa” was the theme of a missionary evening held on April 26, 2008 in the diocesan museum of Regensburg. The event was organized by the Salesian NGO Jugend Dritte Welt and the DON BOSCO MISSION Office in Bonn.
Bro. Jean Paul Muller, a Salesian Brother who heads the Mission Office in Bonn, spoke about the work of the Sons of Don Bosco throughout the world on behalf of disadvantaged young people, with special emphasis on the Salesian work in Africa. Fr. Jacob Thelekkadan, the Provincial Delegate for Sudan, explained the projects the Salesians are running for refugees , through schools and training centers, to help those decide to return to southern Sudan to be skilled contriubtors to the rebuilding of this coutry devestated by war.
A German volunteer Veronika Schröter spoke next about her own experience of working in the City of Hope, a reception center for street children and orphans in Zambia.
The program also included entertainment from a group from Uganda who performed traditional dances, played the drums and shared their music. They also cooked some typical African food for those in attendance.
A multimedia exhibition, Discover Sudan, set up by the artist Egbert Mittelstädt provided the attendees with a intense experience of the lives of the poor in Sudan. This show will move to Brussells for May 20-26. From May 31st, it will be at the summer festival at the Salesian Institute in Benediktbeuern.
Uruguay – 40 years with the local youngsters
( Sarandí del Yí) – For 40 years the Salesian Benigno Paiva Irisarri Center in Sarandí of Yí, Uruguay, has been taking care of and educating poor youngsters. It has been offering them work skill training so they can build a better life and futrue for themselves. On May 1, 2008, a group of Salesians, benefactors and friends gathered with the students and staff to celebrate its 40th anniversary.
Fr. Juan M. Algorta, the Salesian Provincial in Uruguay, presided at a mass of Thanksgiving. This was followed by a show prepared by the youngsters which included an awards presentation during which the yongsters honored some of the members of the staff and the benefactors who have given their services and made their contribution to the success of the Center.
The Salesian house of Sarandí of Yí owes its beginning thanks to a substantial donation made by Mrs. Clotilde Santayana García de Paiva in 1967. She wanted something to be done for the poor youngsters in the locality, and enlisted the assitance of the Salesians to open a free hostel, which enabled youngsters from the country to pursue an education in the town.
In recent years, the facilities at the center have been greatly improved thanks to a project financed by the European Union through the efforts of the Italian NGO Amici dei Popoli. In addition to the typical seconadry school academic courses, the boys and girls who are boarders in the Institute take courses in bee-keeping, horticulture, and the making of sweets, jams, cheeses and hair-dressing.
Vatican – Salesian Sanctity: Sr. Maria Troncatti, F.M.A., missionary to Ecuador
(Vatican City) – The Congregation for the Causes of Saint and the Commission of Theological Consultants met to examine the Positio of Servant of God, Sr. Maria Troncatti, F.M.A. describing the heroicity of her life and virtues and her reputation for holiness on May 2, 2008.
The Commission voted unanimously in favor of declaring her Venerable. Now the final examination of the Positio is in the hands of the Cardinals and Bishops who are members of the Congregation. If – as everything would indicate – they give a positive vote, the Holy Father will then order the preparation of the Decree regarding the heroicity of the life and virtues of Sr. Troncatti, to declare her Venerable. This could happen before the end of 2008.
Additionally, a miracle attributed to the intercession of Sr. Troncatti that took place in the Archdiocese of Portoviejo, Ecuador is being examined. If the miracle is verified, Sr. Troncatti will be the next Daughter of Mary Help of Christians to be named Blessed.
Sr. Maria Troncatti was born at Corteno Golgi in the Province of Brescia, Italy on February 16, 1883,and spent more than forty years as a missionary in Ecuador among the Shuar Indians. On August 25,1969 she died in a plane crash shortly after take-off. The radio of the Shuar Federation made this sad announcement: “Our Mother, Sr. Maria Troncatti, is dead.” Her reputation for holiness is still very strong in Ecuador.
Two other Saintly members of the Salesian Family are linked to Ecuador. The cause for beatification of Fr. Carlo Crespi, S.D.B., a missionary to Ecuador has begun, and a miracle attributed to the intercession of Fr. Giuseppe Quadrio, S.D.B. that occured in Ecuador is being examined.
Ireland – Opening of the 7th “Don Bosco House” for the young
(Dublin) – On April 29, 2008, in Dublin, the seventh Don Bosco House, a community providing a home and therapeutic care and support for young people at risk opened. At the opening ceremony, Fr. Val Collier, S.D.B. reminded the attendees that the first of these Homes in the city was opened thirty years ago.
Six young men between the ages of 18-19 years of age will move into the Home after completing long term residential treatment. Each will have a private room and will be able to share commonl facilities: kitchen, sitting room and T.V. room. The staff is made up of a Manager and 4 Care Staff who work with the young people, providing them with the support and supervision they need, mainly through one to one contact, in which they provide guidance in resolving personal difficulties and learning practical skills for living.
The young people, who can stay for up to two years, are encouraged to engage in vocational training to help them prepare for employment.
The educational programmes provided have two aims, to empower and enable them to play a positive role as citizens out in the community, and to avoid their entering a cycle of dysfunctionality and homelessness.
The project has been supported by the Don Bosco Teenage Care, the Health Service Executive Northern Area, Dublin City Council and Habitat.
On April 18, 2008, during his visit to the United States, Pope Benedict XVI addressed the General Assembly of the UN as his two predecessors Paul VI and John Paul II had done.
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