EEXX AALLLLIIEEVVII NNeewwssffllaasshh YEAR 9 - I SSUE 39 - 5 OCTOBER 2020 Religious and Social magazine of the World Confederation of Ex-students of Don Bosco

English Edition (translations: Sandra Pistilli)

150 years of History THE VOICE OF THE RECTOR MAJOR

FROM VALDOCCO TO THE WHOLE WORLD ...

Today the invitation is made to everyone: Come! Get to know Valdocco. Browse around. Experience this place. Be still and listen to what the “walls are saying” because “at Valdocco, everything speaks”... What has taken place in transforming this space is much more than the mere remodeling of walls and rooms. A dream has come to life.

It all began more than 160 years ago when a small band of young men and boys who loved their educator, Don Bosco, made the commitment to give life to a 'Society' - the “Pious Society of Saint Francis de Sales”. Out of this first small group grew a new Religious Order, today cal - led the “Salesians of Don Bosco”.

Prior to the gathering of that small band, Don Bosco had arrived at the "Pinardi" property and shed. He rented its two pieces of land to begin the first permanent Salesian Oratory. It was here, in this humble and simple place, that his precious work began. In this, he followed the example of Our Lord who was born in a stable, in the greatest poverty, and with the sole protection of the loving arms of his Mother, Mary of Nazareth, and of her humble spouse, St. Joseph.

Today as Yesterday.

In just a few days, October 2-4, 2020, we will celebrate with the public the realization of a “ dream ”, a beautiful dream, of making the Pinardi property a place that “ speaks ”.

What has taken place in transforming this space is much more than the mere remodeling of walls and rooms. A dream has come to life: The dream of turning the site of the first Salesian Oratory, Valdocco, into a space, a place, and a playground that speak of the Salesian charism. Here is the place – the Pinardi House - where those first orphans who knocked on the door of Mamma Margaret's kitchen were welcomed and where the Salesian Congregation was born. It is a place rich in our charism and brimming with life.

On the cover: 150 years of History

2 EX ALLIEVI Newsflash - 5 october 2020 www.exallievi.org THE VOICE OF THE RECTOR MAJOR

Today the invitation is made to everyone: Come! Get to know Valdocco. Browse around. Experience this place. Be still and listen to what the “walls are saying” because“ at Valdocco, everything speaks”.

Come to this house where hundreds of young men and boys and dozens of Salesians lived alongside Don Bosco and became a true family in a home that was a “ school of sanctity ”.

Get to know this place that has continued welcoming hundreds and hundreds of young people, changing their lives by the life experienced here, helping them become " good Christians and upright citizens ".

Browse around this space that saw, just like the little seed that is spoken of in the Gospel, the first sprout of what would become a lush, green, and healthy tree that today spreads its branches over the entire world: Don Bosco’s Salesian Family.

Experience this home which witnessed how a young priest full of evangelizing and educational passion inspired that band of his own boys with enthusiasm and zeal to continue his dream: the first Salesians. It is they who gave continuity to the Congregation, they who succeeded Don Bosco, and they who made his missionary dream come true, first in Patagonia, then in much of the Americas, and today in 134 nations.

Be still and listen in this house and this courtyard (once Mamma Margarita's garden). Here there was life and joy, mingled with difficulties and hunger, where everyone desired to become a saint. From these few square yards of land, there have come 13 who have been declared Vene -

www.exallievi.org EX ALLIEVI Newsflash - 5 october 2020 3 THE VOICE OF THE RECTOR MAJOR

rable, Blessed or Saint. They grew up here, allowing the Spirit to sow in them the seed of 'sanctity lived in Valdocco'. Our Beloved Don Bosco was a master in the art of proposing lofty and beautiful ideals to his boys.

Here - on this Pinardi property - Don Bosco, Mamma Margaret, Dominic Savio, Michael Rua, Philip Rinaldi, Luigi Variara, and Leonard Murialdo lived, walked, worked, prayed, and played, to name but a mere few. Numerous others walked these grounds – so numerous that this house and courtyard had to be expanded. Larger churches were necessary because the boys soon numbered 500. They quickly outgrew the smal - ler churches: the tiny Pinardi Shed Chapel and the Church of Saint Francis de Sales. On this land they walked a path of sanctity. At the end of this path we stand in the shadow of the beautiful Basilica of Mary Help of Christians under the protection of Our Heavenly Mother who covers all of Valdocco with her mantle.

This house that we present to everyone today to be visited and known is and will be a very meaningful experience for everyone:

* from tourists who do not know anything about the Salesian world. These will realize that something great arose from nothing in this place, even if they should gain but a superficial understanding, * to those who know, love, live, and have our charism in their he - arts. These will touch with their hands, see with their eyes, and know in their hearts how God brought forth from within these walls something very beautiful for the young people of the world.

Today, these walls wherein the Salesian charism was born and ma - tured, and from which it spread into the whole world, have been cared for and preserved so as to remain a place of universal he - ritage throughout time.

From this house, these churches, and this playground Don Bosco will continue to reach the whole world. From all over the world people will come to Valdocco to meet the Lord who has done great things, together with Our Mother, Mary Help of Christians, because “ it is She who has done everything ” and who continues “to do everything” - in union with Don Bosco, Mamma Margherita, and so many others. The spirit of Val - docco is still very much alive!

We offer you far more than just beautiful walls. We offer you far more than just a museum. We offer you far more than just works of art. We offer you far more than just historical memories. We intend to offer you pleasant friendship, encounters, and visits that will touch your heart and your life as you gaze upon these places sanctified by those who walked them.

From Valdocco to the whole world

Ángel Fernández Artime, SDB Rettor Maggiore

4 EX ALLIEVI Newsflash - 5 october 2020 www.exallievi.org GREETINGS FROM THE PRESIDENT

AN EXAMPLE FULL OF EXAMPLES

Dear Past Pupils and Friends of Don Bosco

It is again the blessed time of the new volume of the EX ALLIEVI Newsflash . This online magazine is growing in volume and the quality con - stantly for already a few years. I am happy and thankful for this. At the same time, I see a parallel with our association where I can see qua - litative and quantitative growth during the recent few years. EX ALLIEVI Newsflash is an example full of examples of how this growth is done. Many inspirative stories and projects have been discovered and shared from all around the world. Every new issue is bringing new surprises and motivation.

Especially during this challenging times of the pandemic crisis we can realize that this form of communication has a huge advantage and helps us stay connected and alive. Since we have had to cut many and many more personal meetings, celebrations, and projects, we have discove - red the new potential in us Past Pupils and in our association. No virus and no challenge can make us stop being Good Christians and Honest citizens . Along with living our spirituality of Past Pupils and Friends of Don Bosco in our everyday lives, we can discover new challenges and vocations on how to give out our testimony and become salt of the earth and light of the world. I invite you to get inspired and be an inspiration through this precious communication channel we have in EX ALLIEVI Newsflash .

At the same time, I encourage you to withstand in your work and activities and at the same time to open your eyes, ears, and hearths to new options sharing our joy and love with others. I invite you to read through this very new volume of Newsflash and to look inspiration for you and contemplate what activities and ideas correspond the most with our actual worldwide strategic plan.

One of the best news from the last volume of EX ALLIEVI Newsflash for me personally is the appointment of the new world delegate for Past Pupils and Friends of Don Bosco by Rector Major. The new delegate is a coadjutor from Vietnam and his name is brother Dominic Nguyen Duc Nam SDB . He is going to serve as a delegate for Salesian Cooperators at the same time as well. Let u spray for him and his challenging vo - cation. May Don Bosco and Mary Help of Christians will help him and take care of him. Wellcome br. Dominic!

The needs of today's world, problems, and challenges we face today are huge and sometimes overwhelming. I am sure that the potential we have as a group of Past Pupils and which has each one of us is much bigger. Let us search for that potential together also on the following pages.

In Don Bosco.

Michal Hort President

www.exallievi.org EX ALLIEVI Newsflash - 5 october 2020 5 EDITORIAL

«DON ’T BE AFRAID . Do as Don Bosco Did!»

Dearest Friends, the fundamental problem, also in relation to the health crisis we are in, is to acquire different mentalities and behaviors. To be able to be peo - ple ready to see their own lifestyle habits changed. The true identity will be to live our profound differences. I hope it doesn’t sound antithe - tical, but I am among those who esteem the most the “ courage of going back to retrace the path taken in order to evaluate the many positive moments of it” when that represents the only way to go forward.

I remember the courage that brought Don Bosco “to dream” a future for his youngster, the poorest, the most abandoned by society. The same courage to which Pope Francis invited the Salesian Family during his visit in Turin (June the 21st 2015): « Look at the streets, look at the boys and make risky decisions. Don’t be afraid. Do as Don Bosco did! ».

The development of new technologies not only has accelerated the times of communication, but has ended up upsetting the rhythms of exi - stence. But how much Good has come anyway in this corona virus period: global news in real time, school lessons held through video; on a spiritual level then, liturgical celebrations “filmed from remote”; and even more, family and friends daily gathered to pray and entrust their intentions to the connection via computer. And Good triumphs! The true goodness is effusive: it is not a centripetal force it’s a centrifugal energy. One of its most characteristic display must be, and it is, the gratitude to those who do us good.

The happy Latin sense of “ rejoicing, happiness, joy ” leads us to the highlighting of the special moment we are celebrating.

All years are important, but this one is particularly special because to remember and celebrate the 150 years of us Past Pupils of Don Bosco, a Jubilee has been proclaimed (from June the 24th 2020 to the same date of 2021) .

I wish you all to live this Jubilee Year with a spirit of renewal following the teachings of Don Bosco. Pierluigi Lazzarini

Dutiful note. Numerous Salesians and Alumni have reported me that our website (www.exallievi.org) has stopped at the publication of New - sflash of Easter 2020 . Apologizing for the inconvenience, I point out that the task, in Bratislava, engages the Presidency of the World Confe - deration. Waiting for the problem to be resolved, I invite all those who wish to receive the “ historical issue ” (June the 24th 2020, in any language) to send the request to Newsflash’s e-mails. (PLL)

6 EX ALLIEVI Newsflash - 5 october 2020 www.exallievi.org 150 Y EARS OF HISTORY

FEAST DAY OF THE RECTOR MAJOR , celebrating Don Bosco's name day

Rome, Italy - June 24, 2020

The name day of Saint John Bosco occurs on June 24. Yesterday, continuing an ongoing tradition of 150 years, the Sale - sian Community thanked the Rector Major, the Successor of Don Bosco, Fr Ángel Fernández Artime.

For Salesians at the Generalate, the Central Office, 24 June is also the day on which significant anniversaries of priestly ordination or religious profession are celebrated.

Thus, this year, because of the 150th anniversary of the gift of Carlo Gastini and the first Past Pupils to Don Bosco, a set of coffee cups was also delivered to the Rector Major.

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AFTER 150 YEARS , THE GIFT OF THE PAST PUPILS is renewed... to today's "Don Bosco"

(ANS - Rome) the "Sacred Heart" of Rome - which hou - Past Pupils as a representative of the ses the Salesian Generalate - said on be - Young Past Pupils (GEX) of Europe, gave the Just as Carlo Gastini, expressing the sen - half of all the Past Pupils of the world: tribute to Don Bosco's Successor. timent of all the Past Pupils of the Don Bosco Oratory, donated coffee cups to the «The figure of Don Bosco is fascinating and A tribute which, in the best Salesian tradi - Saint of Youth on June 24, 1870, so too ye - we see you [Fr Artime] as his Successor. tion, is not an end in itself, but has a soli - sterday, June 24, 2020, on the 150th anni - We feel your closeness and encourage - darity value. In fact, the cups were versary of that tribute , representatives of ment towards us. accompanied by coffee from the " DI BOSCo the Past Pupils of Don Bosco gave Fr Ángel – the Coffee of Past Pupils " project. Fernández Artime a set of coffee cups, ac - Thank you for the many initiatives to stren - companied by words of sincere gratitude. gthen the Salesian Family, for your dyna - «A project» - they reminded everyone - mism, action, prayer and testimony ». «that is not only based on the quality of the The symbolic rite took place at the end of «Enjoy this feast day! We assure you of our coffee produced, but also on the quality of the Eucharist presided over by the Rector collaboration, our prayers, and all our af - the people who produce it and with whom Major in the Basilica of the Sacred Heart. In fection! » he concluded. we collaborate. the choir of the church, Subsequently, Biagio Narciso, a lawyer The “Gastini blend” comes from the colla - Vito Gentili, Salesian Past Pupil and colla - from Caserta, who recently joined the boration of Past Pupil entrepreneurs from borator in many initiatives carried out at World Council of the Confederation of the Europe and Asia, thus creating a global

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project». hands of Mary means to change one's life ». In fact, the sale of coffee and cups produ - And finally, he concluded: « When I think of ced for the anniversary, in a limited edition the Past Pupils I immediately think of the of 150 copies, will serve to support the edu - millions of boys and girls that we have in cational and social projects of the Past Pu - all our presences, and I say to myself: we pils in America, Africa and Asia. must give them the best of ourselves, be - cause one day they will be Past Pupils and For his part, the Rector Major also replied Past Pupils like those we have today. with phrases coming directly from his heart as Father and Center of Unity of the Let's move on, go forward, always in com - Salesian Family: munion with Don Bosco! ».

«Thanks to all the Past Pupils of the world! The closeness, affection and mutual grati - Looking at you, you make us think of all the tude between the Salesians and those who good that is being done in the Salesian pre - received an education according to the sence in the world. Preventive System are alive and tangible, today as they were 150 years ago. Because we know that for many boys and girls, to come to a Salesian house at the Gian Francesco Romano

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Slovakia

SOLIDARITY OF PAST PUPILS through "DiBosco Coffee" project

(ANS - Bratislava) At that time I had a small local coffee roa - ster and the idea of buying the coffee im - Peter Kovác, a Salesian Past Pupil, is the mediately came to me. co-founder of the " DiBosco Coffee " project, So I contacted the Past Pupils in Chiang Mai an initiative developed in the Thai city of and we started building this dream step by Chiang Mai, with the aim of creating a net - step ». work - within the Past Pupils association - between producers and consumers. How was your first trip to Thailand? «I spent a week visiting the DiBosco tea - How did this idea come about? m's farms, coffee shops and coffee roa - «The idea was born in 2015, after the Ge - ster, guided by Mr. Paisan. neral Assembly of Past Pupils which was I was amazed by the big heart of the Thais, held in Rome. A friend who had taken part always so smiling. At first, I thought it was in the Assembly brought me samples of going to be me offering them something, roasted coffee, which came from Thailand. but in the end, it was they who showed me

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their way of working and living, offering me lombia, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Haiti, USA, «As mentioned, our objectives are long- friendship and collaboration ». Thailand, Philippines, East Timor, Brazil, term. We want to be able to enter new mar - Kenya, Congo, Slovakia, Hungary, UK, Ire - kets in America and Africa and we aim to How is “DiBosco Coffee” growing and land, Malta, Poland and the Czech Republic. open 1000 coffee shops in the next 10 what connections are there with other Slowly we are trying to expand our network years. countries? on both sides: producers and custo - «This is the most "adventurous" part! mers/partners. With a network of this type, we will be able Creating a network with other countries is It should be emphasized that ours is fair to develop the potential for international a long-term and challenging process, but trade, that is to say that we know from cooperation between the Past Pupils and, we are finding many people interested and whom we buy coffee, what the conditions at the same time, we will be able to spread great coffee wherever we go. under which the coffee is grown are, and the knowledge of Don Bosco, the Salesians that there is always an ethical approach ». and the Past Pupils. We currently work with producers in With our coffee, we would like to encourage Africa, Central and South America and Asia. What are the dreams and future pro - and bring some energy and joy to drea - So far we cooperate with countries like Co - spects of "DiBosco Coffee"? mers like us ».

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Papua New Guinea GRATITUDE AT THE CENTRE : 150th Anniversary of Past Pupils

Port Moresby - Papua New Guinea, 24 June Group must start from our hearts. It must 2020 be the conviction that each one of us have in Our integral part of being a Bosconian Thank you for those who represented us all and the Good Values we hold dear to our and turned up for the Mass on 24 2020, at hearts and try to establish in our way of 5:30pm for the Rosary followed by Mass. life. It is through that conviction that we In this Past Pupils 150 Years celebration , can use as basis of our involvement in this we must continue our activities of organi - beautiful Group. zing ourselves and strive to make sure we engage more Past Pupils as we can and Many of us are outside Port Moresby and fruitfully ensure that our involvement and PNG and showing a lot of support and we commitment to our group gives justice to are grateful, once we start our activities the common goal we have and that is to be and fundraising and accomplish some of true to our groups Visions and what it our tasks, we will still update you all and stands for especially through the teachings share with you all the goodness that comes and conviction from our Alma Mater. with it.

Even though the Notice yesterday was The group is diverse and we continue to short, it was amazing to see a lot of you grow in numbers and its overwhelming to turn up. I sincerely thank everyone who realize the force we can become if all put came by. In a special way we also thank Fr. our minds together in achieving a goal and Alex, Fr Ariel Macatangay, Fr Ambrose Pe - I personally believe we can do any good we reira and Fr Gilbert Engokia for their sup - want, especially helping our young stu - port and presence as well as the dents, the institution, the community and assistance from Mr Moris Godfrey. our own Families and friends. Our participation and reunion with the I must admit that life is tough and most of

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you are working and residing around the nians do what we are good at and not be towns, villages, suburbs and places where bystanders, puppets of corrupt regimes, you do not have constant and regular ex - followers but be the initiators and be ser - periences of similar activities, gatherings vant leaders and show true stewardship of and opportunities like what we usually en - our welfare in society and instill good va - counter here in DBTI. lues in the things we do.

What we can be proud of is the Matter of Be youthful, enthusiastic and enjoy the Lit - fact that we all know that we are born for tle life that we have and show the world greater things and Don Bosco really wants how beautiful Life can be. Me gat bilip lo us to be in the Communities to effect wanwan yumi stap lo hia, yumi wok bung, change, whether it be our immediate fa - helpim yumi yet na wanem hap u stap, wok mily, our colleagues, our neighbors, our hard na soim gutpla pasin na shine lo community or contribution to the different wanem hap u stap lo em. Toktok yumi tok - sectors in our Society. tok but life m sot so yumi ol Bosconians mas organize na wok na soim trupla pasin. Whatever it is be vigilant and be upright in I wish you all well in your Life, your Job, all of our encounters and do know that we your Family and we also pay respects to all are bounded by the grace of God and the those you had gone and we pray for those spirituality of our Father and Teacher of who are sick, in trouble and facing har - youth Saint John Bosco. dships at this time. Be steadfast and strive. Our country seems to be going downhill and Bikman bai blessim yupla olgeta wanwan. bulk of the Population discriminates, beco - Me bilip olsem wanpla gutpla day bai yumi ming anti-nationalist and spread a lot of holim gut displa kantri na soim trupla na hatred and pin point persons who are in po - gutpla way blo wokim samting. sitions responsible. It is time we Bosco - Leslie Mou Brown

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Argentina

EDUCATION RECEIVED MUST BECOME A FORCE that fosters impact of Past Pupils in the world

(ANS - Buenos Aires) 24th. Don Bosco had said to him: «You, Ga - riences full of memories and events, with stini, will be the jester of the Salesians up faces of Salesians, of companions and of We who run, jump, sing and play in their to seventy years », and he reminded him significant educators, with events and courtyards; we who dream like Don Bosco continually. anecdotes concerning the oratorian com - in favor of young people; we who want to His love and loyalty to the Salesian work la - panions and friends. make an oratory in every place we visit. sted until the last day of his life. There is a common background theme: the All of us together are invited to celebrate According to the chronicles, Gastini - to - meeting in the Salesian courtyard has Don Bosco's Past Pupils' Day . Fr Ángel Fer - gether with the other " old men from the transformed each one's life. «We love the nandez Artime invites us: «The education oratory " - transformed the feast day of educational experience we have lived and received... must become a force that sti - Don Bosco into a tradition still alive today. we would like many others to live it too: we mulates the incidence of the Past Pupil in have brought our children, our friends, the world, to transform it and make it more The celebration consisted of declamations wives and husbands to know those places humane », and songs, testimonies and anecdotes in that have been so significant in our life honor of Don Bosco, as well as a meal or a path. It's our way of showing affection and As 150 years ago, Don Bosco continues to toast with a moment of prayer. gratitude ». insist on all those who consider themsel - ves " Past Pupils ": «One thing more than The goal was to give thanks for the life and We are no longer in a Salesian house, but any other I recommend you, my dear chil - dedication of " dad Giovanni " (Bosco). we always remain with Don Bosco, because dren, and this is: wherever you are, always he has remained in us forever. show yourself good Christians and honest As Gastini once said: «We are all from Don men. Many of you already have families. Bosco. Nothing is ours here, everything is The Rector Major, Fr Á.F. Artime, invites all Well, share that education you received in his » (MB XIII, 133). the Past Pupils to «be “ good Christians and the Oratory from Don Bosco with your upright citizens ”; to promote human dignity loved ones » (M.B., 14, 511). When we meet, we feel that electric cur - and the identity of the family; to practice rent that makes us tune in immediately to solidarity within and outside the Associa - Carlo Gastini was the engine of the tradi - manage the same codes. tion, especially in favor of the most disad - tional Past Pupil's Feast Day, every June Each of the Past Pupils has personal expe - vantaged young people ».

14 EX ALLIEVI Newsflash - 5 october 2020 www.exallievi.org 150 Y EARS OF HISTORY

Haiti

CELEBRATION OF 150 TH ANNIVERSARY of Don Bosco's Past Pupils

Port-au-Prince, Haiti - August 2020

Past pupils of the National School of Arts and Crafts, founded in Port-au-Prince in 1936 , celebrated the 150th anniversary of the Past Pupils of Don Bosco and the 205th anniversary of the birth of Don Bosco.

The event took place on 15 August live on the Zoom and Facebook platforms with various participants from Brazil, Canada, France and the United States, in the presence of a good number of Salesians and the President of the Pupils of Don Bosco (ADB) of Haiti, Jean-Yves Alfred .

Fr Jean-Paul Mésidor, SDB, Superior of the Vice Province of Haiti (HAI), spoke about the Rector Major's 2020 Strenna and invited participants to be good Christians and upright citizens.

www.exallievi.org EX ALLIEVI Newsflash - 5 october 2020 15 150 Y EARS OF HISTORY

Brazil

LIVE CONCERT ON YOU TUBE for Past Pupils' 150th anniversary

criancas

Recife, Brazil - June 2020 The celebration of the 150th anniversary culminated in the words of Fr Nivaldo Pes - The 150th anniversary of the Don Bosco sinatti, BRE Provincial, and with the conse - Past Pupils was celebrated by the Salesian cration of the families to Mary Help of Province of Brazil-Recife (BRE) with a live Christians. The live stream achieved over music event of solidarity with Fr João Car - 100,000 views. los Ribeiro, SDB, and Band. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=elLT1 PZKpYs. During the two-hour performance, broad - cast on YouTube, the Salesian singer en - Father João Carlos Ribeiro is a priest of tertained the families in social isolation the Salesian Congregation, singer and with music, prayer and invitations to soli - composer with 12 CDs by Paulinas COMEP darity. and SOM LIVRE. From Pernambuco, Palma - The initiative is part of the Salesian Solida - res, he is vice-provincial of the Salesian In - rity Action that the BRE Province has con - spectorate of the Northeast. He founded ducted since the beginning of the pandemic, and coordinates the Missionary Associa - helping thousands of families in situations tion of Dawn, AMA, which brings together of social vulnerability. Father João Carlos Ribeiro SDB people interested in evangelization in the Then followed the video greetings of sin - media. gers and prominent figures, in particular It presents radio and television programs of the past pupils, represented by the Vice- in the religious sphere. With his wagon- President of the Confederation, Eduardo park, he is known for his shows and music, Cavalcanti . inspired by biblical and religious themes.

16 EX ALLIEVI Newsflash - 5 october 2020 www.exallievi.org REGIONS

Hong Kong

TWO IN ONE : D ELEGATE FOR THE SALESIAN COOPERATORS and Past Pupils of Don Bosco

Hong Kong - Manila - Ho Chi Minh City - tes for each group at the province and him, the youth were having an activity. Rome, Sunday, 15 June local level, e.g. Resource manual for the We all exclaimed: "ugh, Salesians.. It's good ASC delegate on the Boscolink. to be reminded of the "noise" of the young. A 90 minute sharing has taken place among * Fruitful celebration of the 150th birthday the EAO leadership of the two largest lay of the Past Pupils of Don Bosco (24 June As we take on our individual roles in the groups of the Salesian Family. 2020) with their Prayer-Promise already Asia-Oceania region, we pray that we may translated into 12 EAO languages and a recognize that we are not alone in this mis - It involved Mr Philip Yu sion. We have the entire (ASC World Councillor for Salesian Family... and we the EAO Region), Fr Jo - have this loud and vibrant seph Nguyen Thinh Phuoc youth (also at the Majcen (EAO SDB Regional Coun - Vocational Training Center cillor), Br. Dominic Nam in Vietnam!) with us ». (World Delegate for the Don Bosco Past Pupils and We wish Br. Dominic Nam Salesian Cooperators) a similar learning expe - and moderator Fr Vaclav. rience of listening to the regional leadership in the In order to help the re - other 10 Regions of the cently appointed World Salesian Cooperators Delegate for both groups along with their collea - (ASC and DB Alumni), the gues in the Past Pupils of former and present SDB Don Bosco. regional councilor with Br. Nam were li - series of interview with Past Pupils of stening to the situation and needs of both each of the 23 EAO countries (Youtube) EAO - GEX (Giovani Exallievi: Young Past Pu - largest lay groups of the Salesian Family. already launched. pils of Don Bosco) Lively sharing developed around three main Related news article: themes: The youngest of the video-conference * AustraLasia 5395 (III) Br. Dominic Nam * AO regional strategies for the animation group (Mr. Niel Evangelista,27) offered his appointe world delegate for ASC-DB of each group (about 'rejuvenation' of the service as meeting secretary and repor - Alumni membership through more direct invol - ter on Facebook: «While having our mee - Related resources on the Boscolink: vement in the Youth Ministry - SYM) ting this afternoon, one of the participants * Resource manual for the ASC Delegates. * Formation of the respective SDB delega - had a very noisy background. According to Niel Evangelista (GEX)

www.exallievi.org EX ALLIEVI Newsflash - 5 october 2020 17 REGIONS

East Timor

ONLINE MEETING of Past Pupils Federation of Don Bosco

Dili, East Timor - July 2020

Taking place on July 26 was the first online meeting involving the leadership of the Don Bosco Past Pupils Federation of East Timor , the Councilor for the East Asia-Oceania Re - gion, Fr Joseph Phuoc, the World Delegate of the Past Pupils, Dominic Nam, the Young Past Pupils Councilor (GEX) for Asia-Ocea - nia, Niel Evangelista, and Fr Václav Klement, Extraordinary Visitor "ad nutum" and "pro tempore".

This was the first of a series of " virtual vi - sits " to each of the Past Pupils Federations of the Region.

The current President of the National Fe - deration, Azevedo Marcal , presented the work of the Past Pupils in East Timor, hi - ghlighting its most important features: the attention paid to young people through mul - tiple activities and its synergy with the Sa - lesian Youth Movement.

In conclusion, the GEX Regional Councilor presented a new regional project for the 150th anniversary of the Past Pupils, a Video-Talkshow, which will be launched on 16 August 2020 as a gift for Don Bosco's 205th birthday.

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Haiti

ACODOSAH C OMMITTEE MEETING (Association of Past Pupils of Dominique Savio)

We also discussed ways to plant the seeds of our Representatives in Haiti, assessed of a constructive relationship between the current social and political situation in ACODOSSAH and the Confederation in Haiti. order for ACODOSHA to reach the next level of leadership in the region. She painted a dark picture of the realities that are impacting every aspect of life on The meeting started with a prayer offered the island. by Mr. Cavalcante. After the prayer, Mister Cavalcante shared She also expressed concerns in regards to On June 20th, 2020, the committee mem - the story of his life journey with the Sale - issues relating to our field interventions to bers of ACODOSAH ( Association of Past Pu - sians and the World Confederation. He “Give back to our school and our commu - pils of Dominique Savio Haiti ) held a virtual drew a connection between Brazil and Haiti; nity ”. meeting via zoom. both countries are facing the same issues of extreme poverty. Afterward, Mrs. Romane Joseph, a com - Mr. Eduardo Pessoa Cavalcante, Vice Pre - mittee member, gave a detailed account of sident of the World Confederation of the It was overly impressive to notice how fa - ADOCOSAH’S membership status, accom - Past Pupils of Don Bosco (from Brazil) sug - miliar Mr. Cavalcante was with Haiti and its plishments, funding methods, information gested this meeting which was organized everyday’s struggles. on the new projects, and the roadblocks by Jude Elie, President of ACODOSAH. that impeded the achievement of the goals This was a genuine show of generosity to - set. The primary goal of the gathering was to wards us, for which we are appreciative. get to know each other, to discuss the ex - As she highlighted, despite obstacles such periences and challenges that we face Following the presentation of the Associa - as COVID-19, situational issues, and other when helping the most vulnerable people in tion’s history, vision, and mission by Mr. Elie barriers, ACODOSAH created “ IMPACT ”. our country. and Mr. Dorcé, Mrs. Yverose Francois, one The Impact initiative is rooted in our belief

20 EX ALLIEVI Newsflash - 5 october 2020 www.exallievi.org REGIONS

that “ EDUCATING A CHILD IS BUILDING A sponsor at a minimum fifty students, reno - valcante to join us at our 4th Annual Gala of COUNTRY ”. This program, legalized in Haiti vate and modernize CODOSAH’s Computer Past Pupils of Don Bosco, which will be held and the United States, provides education Lab, guide our youth through trainings, in Haiti in 2021 . access to students in needs to attend our conferences, and events. Dominique Savio College in Pétion-Ville. The gala is a great space to celebrate our Lastly, we pledged to work in closer par - camaraderie, to thank and to honor our Sa - In the same spirit of promoting excellence, tnership with other Salesian organizations lesian Archbishops, Priests, and Educators ACODOSAH sponsored school activities and around the world as we continue to uphold who have impacted our lives, and to renew international competitions that our stu - our mission and achieve our goals. our commitment to our school, our com - dents participated in. munity, and our country Haiti that we all Overall, the meeting with Mr. Cavalcante cherish. She also reported that, on a greater scale, was a great first step in the right direction. our Representatives in Haiti have been ac - Present for the ACODOSAH Committee: tive in the fight against COVID-19 through We are grateful for his presence, frien - the education of our members and distri - dship, and feedback to create a solid orga - Jude Elie President bution of masks and hand sanitizers within nizational structure with dedicated people Patrick Dorcé Vice President the community. who will work tirelessly to change people’s Wilner Paul Treasury Secretary lives through thorough and achievable pro - Remy Exant Spokesperson Moving forward, ACODOSAH has an extre - jects that reflect our community’s values Dr Eldere Germain Committee Member mely ambitious plan leading to 2021. and struggles. Romane Petit Joseph Committee Member Jean Michel Casséus Committee Member The Association hopes to embark on the We adjourned the meeting incredibly hope - Guzman Saint Fleur Haiti Coordinator following projects: launch an international ful because the future belongs to all of us Yverose Francoisi Haiti Coordinator Assi- membership drive to better communicate collectively. stant with our members, raise USD $30,000 to At the closing, we officially invited Mr. Ca - Yves Devaris, Professor and Advisor

www.exallievi.org EX ALLIEVI Newsflash - 5 october 2020 21 REGIONS

India

EXPLORING THE DYNAMIC RICHNESS of South Asia Don Bosco Alumni

So far, it was the most participated mee - action, inspired concrete solidarity deeds (what are we doing). ting among the 7 provinces of Asia-Oceania and amalgamated the Alumni groups. Br Nam and Mr Niel shared some inspira - Don Bosco Past Pupils team visits – first tion how to embrace these challenges as a among the Indian provinces was visited The New Delhi Don Bosco Alumni Federa - good opportunity to grow. New Delhi (INN), territory-wise the largest tion (INN) stretches among 18 states with a At the end of the dynamic meeting all par - among the 12 SDB provinces in the sub- large population of more than 500 million, ticipants were really happy to experience continent, with headquarters in the Indian most of the Don Bosco presences are lo - the connection between Bosconians at in - capital of New Delhi. cated in the rural settings, only few in the ternational level. large cities. From the INN participated three different “Definitely ” more other Indian Province Fe - Unions (New Delhi – Alaknanda DB and DB Our Alumni are proud for 7 very active deration animation meetings will follow in Okhla) with two GEX members from Ranchi Unions where the adult and GEX alumni near future. region (Chattisgar), two SDB who accom - meet and work side by side. pany the Past Pupils (Rector and Delegate As contribution to the 150th anniversary of of Don Bosco Alaknanda, Fr Davis Manipa - The dynamic leadership made up of many Don Bosco Alumni, the Asia-Oceania GEX ramben and SDB Delegate of Okhla Alumni different professions background is wor - Councilor presented the " GEXPRESSO " talk- Union) and also INN Federation delegate. king on single digital platform – Bosconian show on the digital platform (GEX Asia- database . Oceania: YOUTUBE and Facebook) and The India National GEX vicepresident, Mr. There are some sprouting up some new invited the leaders at the Federation level Jai Shankar was joined by another six local centers (Ranchi area) thanks to com - and local level to contribute the the 7 que - Alumni of New Delhi Federation: Mr Prateek, mitted SDB delegates and Alumni leaders. stions of the “2020 Jubilee Questionnaire” Dr Kenhshuk Marwah, Mr Simon John, Mr (online form): Arunag Kumar, Ms Anupriya Ashna Panna The New Delhi participants acknowledge 3 and Mr Prem Toppo. main emerging challenges: How to motivate https://bit.ly/PastPupilsQuestion - former Don Bosco students “ to come back naire2020 During the vibrant and enthusiastic expe - to Don Bosco ”, how to reach to everyone rience sharing emerged the following who receive Don Bosco education, how to Youtube introduction to the 2020 Que - trends: Although the Covid-19 pandemic af - encourage economically weaker members stionnaire (2 minutes) fected badly many people (especially the for their annual contributions (fees) and migrant workers) in New Delhi region, for how to show to the wider public the “ added https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9gbB the Don Bosco Alumni it was a strong call to value ” of membership in the Association 3hdK2WM

22 EX ALLIEVI Newsflash - 5 october 2020 www.exallievi.org REGIONS

www.exallievi.org EX ALLIEVI Newsflash - 5 october 2020 23 SOLIDARITY - C OVID -19 Uruguay

"P ECERA DE LOS LUNES ": PROPOSAL FOR FORMATION and exchange in times of pandemic

(ANS - Melo) chologist Florencia Nasif accompanied the Finally, the last "bowl or tank": " Good Chri - work sessions by presenting different tools stians and upright citizens ", animated by The Past Pupils Center of the Salesian In - to return to the essence of oneself, to take Fr Francisco Lezama. stitute "Monseñor Lasagna" (CML) of Melo advantage of time at home to become Uruguay has organized the initiative called creative, and to find within oneself an infi - On this occasion they analyzed the diffe - "Pecera de los lunes " (Fishbowl Monday) nite world to continue to learn. rent visions of reality, how the media are for several consecutive Mondays: a digital shaping the individual and collective per - space exchange and reflection on the con - Faced with the excessive use of technology ceptions of our society, the freedom and cerns that emerged among young people and information saturation, the fundamen - personal responsibility in the critical rea - in times of pandemic, quarantine, social tal proposal was to stop and reconnect ding of reality, the ways in which individual and economic crisis. with oneself and with others, to have a true action affects the construction of the connection and communication. world... The first meeting, on the theme " Re-signi - fication in the time of Covid-19 ", was ac - The third meeting, " How to be Church at «At CML we build the world together », sha - companied by Javier Velázquez, Head of the home ", was animated by Fr Pablo Bonavía, red Santiago Noboa, one of the partici - Archdiocesan Institute of Formation (IAF). professor of Theology. pants. In that space they tried to build together a «This is one of the reasons that led me to hopeful vision in the time of the pandemic. The session discussed how to get closer to participate in the meetings, the desire to Jesus in the situation away from the chur - bring my grain of sand to a center that "How to live hope, albeit in isolation? How ches, returning to the Gospel, to one's own gives me so much. to give meaning and sense to the time of prayer and personal encounter with Jesus. uncertainty? Where to place one's heart? " Knowing that I would not only contribute, were the questions that offered inputs to «We dream, as a community, where we but also receive something. It was a great read reality from a Christian perspective would like to walk as a Church and what experience, from which I can take new and with faith. lessons this pandemic leaves us to start steps and leave new footprints... ». In the second meeting, entitled " Deconcen - moving again », the meeting organizers trate to connect ", the animator and psy - said. Source : Salesianos Uruguay

24 EX ALLIEVI Newsflash - 5 october 2020 www.exallievi.org SOLIDARITY - C OVID -19

Haiti

DON BOSCO PAST PUPILS SUPPORT YOUNG PEOPLE AGAINST Covid-19 and accompany community

Pétion-Ville, Haiti - August 2020

With the aim of helping young people cope with Covid-19, the Past Pupils of the "Do - menico Savio" Salesian Institute in Pétion- Ville distributed boxes of hydroalcoholic gel and masks at the school.

A symbolic gesture to accompany the Sa - lesian house in facing the pandemic.

The Past Pupils want to accompany the young people most in need in Haitian so - ciety. For this they have also replaced the traditional chalkboards in the classrooms with more modern ones.

In the Caribbean country, lessons are scheduled to reopen next Monday, 10 Au - gust 2020, and the Past Pupils, thanks to their program called " IMPACT ", have made available 10 scholarships for as many stu - dents valid for the entire academic year.

Last Sunday, moreover, as a sign of conti - nuous attention to the association, the Pro - vincial of the Salesians of Haiti, Fr Jean Paul Mesidor, presented the new Delegate for the Past Pupils, Fr Jean Sylvaint Jean - not , who replaces the late Fr Hector Pa - scal.

www.exallievi.org EX ALLIEVI Newsflash - 5 october 2020 25 SOLIDARITY - C OVID -19

Guatemala PAST PUPILS OF DON BOSCO distribute food to needy

Guatemala City, Guatemala - July 2020

On July 25 the Don Bosco Past Pupils of Guatemala undertook two important pan - demic relief operations, one in favor of the Parish of "Divine Providence", and the other addressed to the Vocational Training Center (VTC) "Father Bartolomeo Ambro - sio".

Both institutions received over 450 kg of beans, 450 kg of rice, and 100 sacks of salt.

The parish manages some social service centers named after Mamma Margherita, which offer food and shelter to migrants; while the VTC, which was once full of young people who enthusiastically learned their trade, is now a warehouse for food sup - plies waiting to be distributed to students, who study remotely, and their families.

Finally, it should be noted that the Past Pu - pils of Don Bosco are also participating in another initiative called " Various United Colors for a Mission ": this is a synergy bet - ween Past Pupils of the Salesians, Marists and Jesuits who distribute essential cere - als in various areas of the country.

26 EX ALLIEVI Newsflash - 5 october 2020 www.exallievi.org SOLIDARITY - C OVID -19

India PAST PUPILS OF ALAKNANDA PRODUCE live broadcast on Facebook to report on COVID-19

New Delhi, India - July 2020

The Don Bosco Past Pupils Association of Alaknanda organized a live event on Face - book with Dr. Sai Kiran Chaudhuri, one of the leading pulmonologists who heads the pneumology department of the Delhi Heart and Lung Institute.

Dr. Chaudhuri spoke on various aspects of COVID-19: precautions, symptoms, tests, roles of the various drugs, prevention and post-discharge management of the patient.

Considerable time was spent on answering questions from the audience.

At the end of the program, which recorded 1,700 views, the Past Pupils' activities in the last 10 months were presented: a food pro - gram for poor children, with the distribu - tion of 2,500 meals; a campaign for blood donation; free tests for thalassemia; free eye exams; and the distribution of 100 per - sonal protection kits.

www.exallievi.org EX ALLIEVI Newsflash - 5 october 2020 27 SOLIDARITY - C OVID -19

India

VIVEK SAINI , S ALESIAN PAST PUPIL , a frontline warrior fight against Covid-19

(ANS - New Delhi) Course of Medicine and Surgery at the pre - stigious “ Maulana Azad Medical College ”. He Dr. Vivek Saini, a Salesian past pupil of the later completed the specialization in Ane - Don Bosco Institute in New Delhi , 2009 sthesiology and Critical Care at the same alumnus, is one of the " warriors " in the college. frontline in the global fight against Covid-19. In his professional and human curriculum, He is currently deploying his medical ex - there is also a 10-month service with “Doc - pertise at the Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Nara - tors Without Borders”, during which he yan Hospital (LNJP) in New Delhi, currently worked in the remote health centers in the the largest hospital dedicated to comba - peripheries, trying to eradicate the local ting Covid-19 in India. infectious diseases prevalent in West Ben - gal. He has already served three cycles, each lasting one month, in the Intensive Care Currently, he works at the LNJP, where the Unit. Delhi government has provided him with accommodation, as he must observe strict If you ask his professors what memories isolation, away from family and friends, du - they have of Vivek, they will tell you about ring the period of activity. a shy and introverted boy who, however, loved to participate in as many extracurri - Given the nature of his service, the shifts, cular activities as possible. even if they involve a natural rotation, are quite irregular. Even today he proudly holds dear a portfo - lio of all the certificates he won during his Sometimes Vivek's shift starts at 3 am and student days, with notes of merit in dra - continues until 10 am. The worst part of the wing, basketball and ping-pong. job, however, is not the time schedule, but working with all the personal protective Vivek is also a trekking enthusiast and equipment on. semi-professional travel photographer. His “Khanabdoshi ” Instagram page is like his Many healthcare professionals have fain - digital alter ego. ted from heat and dehydration while wea - After school, he attended the University ring them. Once the kit is on, you cannot

28 EX ALLIEVI Newsflash - 5 october 2020 www.exallievi.org SOLIDARITY - C OVID -19

eat, drink or use the bathroom until you have properly undressed and sterilized everything. In addition, the safety goggles and visor fog up due to heat and humidity, making it even more difficult to see and act.

It is under these conditions that all heal - thcare professionals like Vivek take care of patients.

«Working in the ICU has, so far, been like a bag of mixed feelings, like an unpleasant roller coaster ride » - says Vivek. «There are days when unfortunate news has to be broken to several families, while on other days, the joy on the face of recovered pa - tients is a blessing like a ray of hope.

The work effort put in by the medical teams throughout the world may never truly be completely compensated ».

Despite everything, Vivek truly believes that, despite our shortcomings, humans are capable of incredible feats and he looks to the future with confidence. «These are undoubtedly difficult times. But we also have the opportunity to be the most beau - tiful version of ourselves.

It's times like these that say how good and humane we really are… The world shall re - cover from the pandemic soon. The tragic loss of those who've left us shall linger for long.

But hopefully, we'll make a better world with all that this pandemic has taught us ».

Fr Babu Varghese, SDB

www.exallievi.org EX ALLIEVI Newsflash - 5 october 2020 29 SOLIDARITY - C OVID -19

India

ONE MILLION MEALS IN 100 DAYS !

(ANS - Mumbai) teers and by the Salesians of Don Bosco, the past pupils of the center of Andheri, The Past Pupils of the Salesian Institute "St while respecting the regulations imposed, Domenico Savio" in Andheri, Mumbai , cele - courageously left their homes in order to brated 100 days of beneficial and suppor - distribute nutritious meals, already cooked, tive activities in support of the population to the needy and disadvantaged. left without resources due to the pande - mic, thus reaching a symbolic milestone of And the millionth meal was delivered on great meaning: the delivery of the millionth Sunday, July 12, to a person in need by one cooked meal. of about 300 " Corona Warriors " as the group has renamed itself. Working in 65 distribution points within the Indian megalopolis, as part of the " Feed My Anthony Mascarenhas, President of the As - Mumbai " campaign, the pupils took turns in sociation of Past Pupils of the "St Dome - this humanitarian service, created with the nico Savio" Institute in Andheri , said: intention of ensuring that no person went «Thanks to the Salesians who have been to sleep hungry in the evening. with us all, we have benefited many people For 100 days, flanked by numerous volun - in Mumbai alone, including migrant wor -

30 EX ALLIEVI Newsflash - 5 october 2020 www.exallievi.org SOLIDARITY - C OVID -19

kers, slum dwellers, rags collectors, sca - The million meals delivered represent, in vengers, daily wage workers, tribals, the this mission, only an example of the fact elderly, people who ask for alms... that with a well-coordinated plan and ac - With 25 partner companies that supported tion, great works can be achieved together. our campaign, we started distributing food kits, hygiene kits, materials to organize a Mr Mascarenhas concludes: « A big thank makeshift refuge... in 65 locations in Mum - you to Father Brian Moras, Rector and De - bai, with over 300 people to collaborate ». legate , for his support along with the en - tire Salesian community, the Salesian The past pupils worked in tandem with the Cooperators and well-wishers. Canossian Daughters of Charity-Servants of the Poor [FDCC-Canossian Nuns], other We also owe a debt of gratitude to our Alma volunteers and many " good Samaritans ", Mater, for making us what we are. We now to help - with selfless dedication - all that look ahead, our aim is to reach out to more large mass of people who in the major In - location/affected areas in Mumbai and dian city in these days of pandemic and so - rural belts in Maharashtra with the support cial crisis has remained without of our CSR partners who are growing in sustenance. number with each passing day ».

www.exallievi.org EX ALLIEVI Newsflash - 5 october 2020 31 SOLIDARITY - C OVID -19

India

SOLIDARITY AND EDUCATION : cornerstones of social and educational action of Sonada Salesian Institute

(ANS - Sonada) groups from the Sonada area. «Initially we were afraid of being infected While for months India has been grappling and exposing my family members at risk. with the challenges created by the pande - Still, I felt that something had to be done, mic, a Salesian educational center, located not as an individual, but as a community », in the state of West Bengal, near Darjee - says prof. Mukhia. ling, not far from the border with Nepal, uses every means to meet the demands of This is how the professor, ever since two those in need, offering material support, young people knocked on his door asking digitized lessons and scholarships. This is for help, has come to lead a rescue project the case of the Salesian Institute of So - for migrant workers from Nepal, Christians nada. in need of the Sonada locality, who have been stuck in the Sonada area and barely In their social commitment to helping the manage to survive. most needy, the school is represented by the Dean of the Institute and Salesian past Overall, from June 4 to July 29, SUCMWS pupil Terence Mukhia , who is also the Pre - organized five expeditions for the delivery sident of the Society United Christian Mi - of aid, relying on the contribution of many: norities Welfare of Sonada (SUCMWS), an «The resources - in money, goods or ser - organization that gathers 14 Christian vices - arrived generously from religious,

32 EX ALLIEVI Newsflash - 5 october 2020 www.exallievi.org SOLIDARITY - C OVID -19

priests, lay people, members of family and their lessons with their mobile phones and friends », says the professor. sent them to the editorial staff of " Darjee - ling Radio Salesian " on WhatsApp for edi - Furthermore, since the main purpose of ting. the Salesian school is education, the lea - ders of the institute have continued to work And to ensure that students can access the hard also in this sector. lessons without time limits, they have also been adapted for video and uploaded to the Thus, from 1 May and until early July - be - SALESIAN TV YouTube channel. fore the start of the exams - they made available the radio station " Darjeeling Finally, looking ahead to the next school Radio Salesian " (90.8) for the English-lan - year, the school management has decided guage broadcast of 10-15 minutes of 12 sub - not to raise school fees and to offer 30 jects to the benefit of the students of 64 scholarships to its students, divided into colleges affiliated to the University of North six categories. Bengal. As school principal Fr George Thadathil ex - plained: «It is our continuous effort to The project, called " Radio Edu Pods ", saw make higher education accessible to stu - the voluntary participation of about 50 pro - dents who otherwise would not be able to fessors from 9 colleges. They recorded attend ». www.exallievi.org EX ALLIEVI Newsflash - 5 october 2020 33 GOOD CHRISTIANS AND HONEST CITIZENS

Italy

GOODBYE , FRIEND OF YOUNG PEOPLE . Last farewell to Fr Carlo Nanni

(ANS - Rome) with the Resurrection and in a certain sense, Carlo has earned it. On 19 July 2020 at 6:30 in the morning, prof. Fr Carlo Nanni, SDB, Magnificent Rec - e thank God for giving us the life of our tor Emeritus of the UPS (2009-2015), pas - dear confrere ». sed away at the age of 75 due to a serious illness. To remind all of the commitment and ge - nerous service of Fr Carlo were also prof. On Tuesday 21 July, at 11 am, in the parish of Fr Mauro Mantovani, Rector of the UPS, Santa Maria della Speranza in Rome, the prof. Fr Mario Oscar Llanos, Dean of the Fa - last greeting to prof. Fr Carlo Nanni, aged culty of Educational Sciences, and Fr Ste - 75, was celebrated. Professor and rector fano Aspitati, Provincial of the Salesian emeritus of the Salesian Pontifical Univer - District of Central Italy, of which Fr Carlo sity, he passed away on July 19. The homily Nanni was a professor. was given by Fr Ángel Fernández Artime, Rector Major of the Salesians and Grand A greeting to Fr Carlo was also made by the Chancellor of the UPS. Salesian Past Pupils who remembered him for his culture, " combative, concrete and «Death for the Salesian is made bright by full of active momentum ". the hope of entering into the joy of his Lord, and when it happens that a Salesian dies Many sent a message of condolence for the for souls, the Congregation has won a loss of prof. Fr Carlo Nanni, the friend of great triumph », said the Rector Major du - the young. Among the messages, also that ring the homily, citing article 54 of the Sa - of Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone who, deeply lesian Constitutions. saddened, wanted to remember « his sin - cere friendship, his relational ability, his «These moments » - continued the Rector competence and dedication as a scholar of Major, « are not for making nice speeches, education at the service of the Salesian but for bearing witness to faith. I believe mission, of the Italian Church and of the that not everything ends here, I believe that Holy See ». it is true that today Carlo is already in God, and we thank him for the life he has given Msgr. Adriaan van Luyn and Msgr. Luc Van us, joyful and passionate as a Salesian of Looy also spoke, highlighting Fr Carlo's joy Don Bosco. and his fully Salesian charism. On the afternoon of July 21, the funeral was It is a day of pain but also of hope: in this also celebrated in the birthplace of Fr present, which is not ours, death does not Nanni, i.e., Ischia di Castro (Viterbo), and have the last word, God has already won it he was buried in the family tomb.

34 EX ALLIEVI Newsflash - 5 october 2020 www.exallievi.org GOOD CHRISTIANS AND HONEST CITIZENS

Beginning of a dream life…

When, in October 1956, my father - a Ma - of educating, the family spirit - despite (but remma breeder - took me to boarding going beyond) the economic hardship or school in Mandrione, he was a little discon - the rigidity of the boarding school’s rules certed, almost with the feeling of having and guidelines – attracted me and marked put me in a large municipal herd, as he did me indelibly. with our horses and cows when he wasn’t using them for work. Instead for me it was As you know, I teach Pedagogy and I’m the beginning of a life of enchantment, of a Head of an Educational Sciences Depar - dream life, a fabulous life! tment. Well, I must candidly confess that in this Still today I can say. “ haec olim meminisse regard my term of reference and compa - iuvabit ”! rison, rather than the “Scientific Peda - gogy”, remains the lived experience of the I didn’t know Salesians before. But I was preventive system of Don Bosco in Man - immediately conquered by them! I remem - drione. ber them all, clerics, aids, priests, assi - Father Carlo Nanni stants, superiors. Their living with us, their closeness and friendship, their intense de - (In Cordata DB , December the 8th 2008, dication to us and to the “common work” page 18)

www.exallievi.org EX ALLIEVI Newsflash - 5 october 2020 35 GOOD CHRISTIANS AND HONEST CITIZENS

Italy

A M EMORY OF SERGIO ZAVOLI past pupil of Don Bosco

Sergio Zavoli, Gianni Brera and Bruno Raschi participate in the "Stage Trial" led by Zavoli

(ANS – Rome) the parish. A small blackmail, since then Rossi, the reason why the divine Word, the forgiven to Father Rossi, blackmailed by us Word, became Flesh (John 1,14) “and came In the general moved memory that all Italy thousands of times. What a priest! to live among us ”, two thousand years ago, is dedicating to Sergio Zavoli - one of the As high as a pole, skilled in making the cas - belonged to the time when the Logos, the most authoritative names in Italian journa - sock take the right turn when he turned, thought, stretched along the Mare Nostrum lism, TV personality and famous radio with a sash that made his waist stand out thanks to the arrival of the writing». voice, Senator of the Republic and presti - and made you imagine an athlete’s body, I gious thinker - maybe his Salesian school was wondering what kind of misfortune had «[…] I remember that when I was a child, in backgrounds are passing over a little in si - trapped him inside that black cage». the Salesian church in Rimini, I asked to Fa - lence. And yet, he himself loved to tell and «[…] As to us, the boys of the oratory, we ther Rossi if he had ever thought to Jesus’ write about his past in the Salesian envi - were already ready to ask questions, al - birth as to some kind of holy fairy tale with ronment. There are numerous ideas that though we understood that the answers which gently let the idea of God swing into he gave in his book: “ The Boy I Was ”. would have arrived with some caution, and the minds of us children. only sometimes a fleeting risk so as not to «On Sunday we went to the ”five o’clock” discourage our most audacious expecta - He sat on a bench, keeping me standing in retreat in the Salesian church. It wasn’t tions. front of him to have his eyes in mine and just a habit, nor was it always a spiritual the answer came out almost as if he owed vehemence to bring us in the warm and sli - Why does God choose to be born on the it to himself. He told me with what words ghtly staggering breath of that crowded af - Earth, in the person of Jesus, after millen - in seminary he had got away with an im - ternoon function. nia from the so-called big-bang? pertinence equal to mine. But then procee - And on that very day, on that very night and ding in his doubts and replacing the miracle Maybe, what attracted us most of all, was furthermore in a place with little water, al - in the powers of God, everything little by “the coupon ” which would have given us, most devoid of shade? And the telephone? little became admirably credible! shortly thereafter and for free, the right to And the radio? According to a Lutheran Jesus himself, after all, told that the Hea - attend the movie shown at the movie-hall of school, explained to us the Salesian Father venly Father had addressed to a serene

36 EX ALLIEVI Newsflash - 5 october 2020 www.exallievi.org GOOD CHRISTIANS AND HONEST CITIZENS

and young creature, capable of amazement and mildness, and so everything had hap - pened according to God’s Will. […] My fa - ther who got along with priests so-so, told me that Father Rossi was right and I was happy about it. My father said that the Sa - lesians must be respected. In fact Don Bosco was not a vagabond».

«[…] Father Rossi played soccer with us in the Salesian playing field. The teams were called “Ausa” - which was the name of a stinky canal - ”Grey Mices” and ”Infected Area”.

From the names we understand that we were in a not at all clean place, but no di - sease has never come to us, not even in the mud of the canal and my father said that what does not choke, strengthens.

Sergio Zavoli with He said it in a manner of speaking. I was Raimondo Vianello from “Ausa” and I was playing in goal. and Sandro Ciotti My mother sewed me a pair of black shorts with side padding so if I dived, I would have felt less bad».

According to the author, Sergio Zavoli, “ The Boy I Was ” « after all, is the attempt to un - derstand what the memory, from the far - thest to the most imminent, can let to a child which seems on the way, as it was for me at his age, to becoming ‘scriventista’, a word preserved for a long time, in silence, in the innocent imagination of my mother ». So says Zavoli, with his usual expression: 1958 Giro d'Italia. From left Sergio Zavoli, «As always, let the facts do the talking ». Giovanni Mosca, Fausto Pierluigi Lazzarini Coppi, Nino Oppio (Alumnus and Historian of Don Bosco)

Article published on May the 10th 2019 in “Spiridon ”, a monthly telematic review di - rected by Giors Oneto - alumnus of Don Bosco from Prato – on which numerous sports journalists are writing.

www.exallievi.org EX ALLIEVI Newsflash - 5 october 2020 37 GOOD CHRISTIANS AND HONEST CITIZENS

Italy

"F RIENDS OF DON BOSCO COMMITTEE " in support of Salesian oratory of Caserta

(ANS - Caserta) attend the Salesian center. The aim of the committee is to find new ways, new spaces Creativity, co-responsibility between reli - and collaborations with local bodies to en - gious and lay people, solidarity between dif - sure that the Salesian charism, present in ferent generations: often in imagining an the Caserta for over 120 years, can conti - "outgoing Church", that knows how to turn nue to operate its educational, pastoral and authoritatively to the individuals of the 21st social mission. century, an appeal is made to foster these characteristics. The press conference event showed al - ready at first glance exemplary coordina - In Caserta it seems that these appeals tion and a significant family spirit, with the have not fallen on deaf ears: a clear exam - adults gathered in the Amphitheater and ple took place on the evening of Sunday 5 the youngest ones in the courtyard next July, when the press conference to present door, engaged in the activities of the Chil - the nascent " Friends of Don Bosco Com - dren's Summer Camp 2020, Estate Ragazzi. mittee " was held in the amphitheater of the Many people were present, all wearing anti- Salesian Institute "Sacred Heart of Mary" . Covid-19 masks.

The Committee was born not on the initia - Among the prominent figures attending tive of the Salesians, but of the laity, espe - were the mayor of Caserta Carlo Marino, a cially of the parents of the children who former Oratorian ; the local representati -

38 EX ALLIEVI Newsflash - 5 october 2020 www.exallievi.org GOOD CHRISTIANS AND HONEST CITIZENS

ves of the "Italian Red Cross", in addition said: « The world of young people is the pre - one of the boys interrupts the conference, to the representatives of the various sec - sent and at the same time the future. We followed by the moved applause of all pre - tors of the Salesian Family, including the cannot miss the appointment with History... sent: " The Oratory is my life! ”. Director of the Institute, Fr Gino Martucci; We have a history of more than one hun - the Director of the oratory, Fr Giancarlo dred years on our shoulders that forces us The " Friends of Don Bosco Committee " is D'Ercole; the local coordinator of the Sale - to continue dreaming as Don Bosco and his open not only to alumni and parents of the sian Cooperators, Federica Liguori; and the successors did. boys of the work, but to all citizens of Ca - President of the Past Pupils Union of Don serta who recognize the social and educa - Bosco, Alfonso Voccia . This History empowers us and projects us tional role of the Salesians in the city and forward in order to respond to the educa - who, consequently, want to collaborate. For «The Committee must be a transversal tional needs of the city ». further information and to join, write to: structure so that the oratory remains the [email protected] centerpiece of a Salesian house and eve - As the evening proceeds, almost synthesi - ryone, in our different roles, must marry zing every speech, the spontaneous cry of Source : CasertaWeb this cause! », said the President of the Friends of Don Bosco Committee, Mauro Giaquinto .

«The Salesian community is a piece of our city, of the history and culture of our city. Many young people, including me, have had the opportunity to build their own life path in this house which must continue to be the home of children, education, sociability, creativity and skills », said the Mayor of Ca - serta.

For his part, Fr Martucci, who wished to send a message to all citizens of Caserta,

www.exallievi.org EX ALLIEVI Newsflash - 5 october 2020 39 GOOD CHRISTIANS AND HONEST CITIZENS

Thailand

SONS OF DON BOSCO : GOOD CHRISTIANS AND UPRIGHT CITIZENS

Huahin, Thailand - August 2020

From 15 to 16 August 2020, the Young Alumni - Salesian Aspirants, who were in the Aspirantate from 1988-2020, organi - zed a 'meeting' at the Salesian Retreat House in Huahin.

The Aspirants, their families, the Salesian confreres who in the past were rectors and assistants, met officially for the first time in a period of about ten years.

The day's activities began on the morning of August 15 with a liturgical service and were followed by a conference on "Good Christians and upright citizens " held by Fr Thanad Anan, SDB, Provincial Delegate for the Past Pupils of Thailand .

40 EX ALLIEVI Newsflash - 5 october 2020 www.exallievi.org INTERVIEW

DON JAYAPALAN RAPHAEL Success is not in winning always, it lies in the constant effort to march on

The most beautiful memory you will Brazil, Slovakia, Portugal, Thailand, Philip - of Don Bosco burning in the hearts of the carry with you of these years as the pines, Japan, Timor Leste, Cambodia, the past pupils and what they can achieve. The World Delegate of Don Bosco's Past Pu - United States, Colombia, the Dominican Re - involvement of the past pupils in many pils? public, Kenya, Tanzania, etc. countries at the time of national disaster «At the very outset, I would like to express like Tsunami and Covid-19 is praiseworthy. my gratitude and immense joy as I lay down I was happy to see the dynamic delegates my office after having served the Associa - and presidents and their various initiatives I have always admired Indian Federation tion of the Past Pupils of Don Bosco as the for and through the past pupils. for its wonderful organisation of past pu - World Delegate for 4 years (2016-2020). It pils with 138 units in 11 provinces, with a re - has been a God-given opportunity to visit The Asian Congress of Past pupils at Timor gular well-attended annual meeting and a and animate the Past Pupils’ Federations Leste and the South American Congress number of initiatives at the service of the around the world. I am grateful to Rev. Fr. (Congrelaat) at the Dominican Republic poorest young people at the provincial and Ángel Artime Fernández SDB, the Rector were organized very well by the Regional local levels. There are many other memo - Major, for this singular opportunity, to the Federations with great enthusiasm and rable experiences that are etched in my Presidency members for their friendship precision. mind ». and collaboration, to the national/provin - cial delegates and presidents around the The national congresses of India, Brazil, Which achievements do you consider world for their great respect and affection, Spain and Italy are imprinted in my heart. the most significant? and to our lay collaborators - Mr. Pierluigi «At the world level, it was my joy to see the Lazzarini, the director of Newsflash , Mr. The meeting of African delegates and pre - following System set up: the meeting of the Vito Gentili, ready for any good work and sidents in Kenya showed a great future is World Presidency every year and the Exe - Mr. Peter Kovach who did a wonderful ser - possible in African continent if helped con - cutive council every three months; Conti - vice of coordination and organisation – sistently. nental regional meetings once in four who have been mainly responsible for all years; Clarity and vision with the strategic that we could do these years ». An experience that remains embedded in plan with 7 priorities focussing on: 1) infor - my heart is the visit to the “ Cristal school ” mation (database, communication); 2) for - As I pass on the baton to Bro. Dominic in Timor Leste, run by the past pupils for mation (personal formation, family, Nguyen Duc Nam SDB from Vietnam, I recall about 5000 poor students, an outstanding salesian family); and 3) transformation some wonderful experiences that made me example of the commitment of the past pu - (business platform and fund-raising for the realise how much the association has pils. More than 100 schools built by Fr. Vin - salesian mission and social projects). grown in these 150 years. I have seen per - cenzo SDB in Kenya and South Sudan with sonally great enthusiasm of the past pupils the help of the past pupils of South Korea Focus has been given to the Formation of in various countries like India, Spain, Italy, and Japan is yet another sign of the spirit GEX (Giovani EXallievi) with a world vice

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president, regional GEX councillors and a Delegate and the President at the world specific formation programme for GEX. En - and national/provincial levels will enhance thusiasm among the Salesians and past pu - the number of the members as well as the pils in various countries and provinces has quality of the World Confederation. filled me with joy and optimism. Mobilising finance for its own stability, for empowerment of the regional councillors Newsflash : It is the quarterly online maga - in their animations and for the upliftment of zine that brings out the news and informa - the poorest through social projects is a tions about the past pupils all over the dire need. world. If I have to name one concrete, con - sistent and practical achievements at the Geographical areas like Africa and certain world levle, in the last three years, it is this provinces of Asia and Oceania need to be Newsflash . ANS has served as the main guided to create units and eventually fede - source. 1. Creation of Local Units rations. It is important to focus on creation of local I have admired a lot Mr. Pierluigi Lazzarini, units in ‘every’ Salesian centre (institution). There is a need for greater focussed Lay the director of Newsflash , who has shown Initial official registration with a financial leadership, a united World Presidency team extraordinary commitment, expertise and commitment, constant communication and and an effective Executive Council with a love for Don Bosco in bringning it out on - effective formation at the unit and federa - greater follow-up and commitment with time with extensive articles and informa - tion level would facilitate their commitment missionary vision. Hopefully the revision of tions ». and sense of belonging. the statutes and the formation of the new presidency team in 2021 Assembly will fa - How do you see the future of the World The real challenge is to reach out to past cilitate this. Confederation of Don Bosco's Past Pu - pupils who are not yet registered members pils? of the association in order to respond to 3. Formation Programmes «This jubilee year is a blessing to the past the concern expressed by Don Bosco in the There is a greater need today, more than pupils to go back to the roots (24 June very first meeting in 1870. ever, to devise the formation programmes 1870) in order to fly with wings, inspiring for personal formation, leadership forma - them to become more active and alive in 2. Focus on the Organisation tion and family formation, because the As - the present context, and to realise the dre - The local units need to be formed into pro - sociation is basically for the growth and ams of Don Bosco for whom the process of vincial/national Federations. maturity of members themselves. education and development did not end when the young person left the youth cen - While focussing on re-activation of the fe - Formation of the past pupils to be honest tre or the parish or graduated from the derations that are struggling and enhan - citizens and committed Christians (God- educational institution. cing the powerful ones, it is important to centered person) will ultimately help them It is a continuous process making the help the provinces that need to take the become leaders in public spheres. young person a valuable asset to the so - first steps. Active secretariat at Rome ciety and to his/her mission. I highlight a under the guidance of the World Delegate Accompanying the young past pupils is ne - few challenges for the World Federation of would help the organisation better. cessary so that they become future lea - Past Pupils. Greater sharing and collaboration of the ders, filled with passion for Christ (God)

42 EX ALLIEVI Newsflash - 5 october 2020 www.exallievi.org INTERVIEW

and love for Don Bosco, eradicating any and charismatic guide. However, the dele - temptation of superficiality, banality, power gate’s role should not be limited just to ini - and comfort ». tial prayer and mass. My experience is that the Association has In the Church today there is talk of the grown in places where there is a cordial, new evangelization. How can this be un - Salesian and effective collaboration bet - derstood when compared to the Past ween the two; Pupils? «The Association of Past Pupils is a unique The Association needs financial resources member of the Salesian Family since it is for the animation and organisation. composed of members from non-Christian religions as well in different parts of the «Personally, I do not have proof or data to Basically it has to be mobilised among the world. prove that there are associations in more members. There has to be also a prudent than 100 countries, though the Salesians way of spending money, cutting down the In this scenario, the Association has a two - are present in 134 countries. unnecessary expenses (e.g. Annual mee - fold function with regard to New evangeli - ting of world presidency in ‘various conti - sation: While taking care of the Wherever we have, in order to preserve nents’) and spending more on the faith-formation of the catholic past pupils, and promote the unity and the world iden - animation of past pupils in the provin - it has to cater to the religious journey of tity of the Association, I would consider the ces/countries by the Regional council - the non-Christians as well, helping them to following strategies essential: As of now we lors ». grow with the Gospel values. have no statistics at all because we have on Database. We try to be optimistic, to look to the fu - New Evangelisation calls for building up ture with enthusiasm. Do you want to God’s Kingdom of peace, justice and unity. We need to have “registered” members end this interview with a word, a mes - with formation programme before the re - sage that you think it's right to give us? In this perspective, the Association is cal - gistration to know the implications, the of - «The organisation of the Past Pupils’ As - led to make a difference in the world and ficial registration of members with an sociation is not easy. pave the way for its transformation based official function and with a minimum finan - on the values of the Gospel. cial contribution; We can find motivation in the words of Saint Mother Teresa: “ When you are not It is called to give priority and centrality to The World Confederation needs to empo - able to run fast, run slowly. When you are the Salesian mission for the poorest and wer the regional councillors with financial not able to run at all, walk; when you are most needy youngsters concretely in all assistance and formation materials, to not able to walk, use the stick; but never, decisions. A life lived for others is a life move around in their regions animating the never stop ”. lived well ». national/provincial federations; The challenge is exactly to understand that Pupils are present in more than 100 na - There has to be a lot more co-ordination success is not in winning always, it lies in tions and on all continents, immersed in between the Delegates (Salesians) and the constant effort to march on ». very different cultures. How can unity Presidents (Lay). The Association is a “Lay” and identity be preserved? association and the Delegate is a spiritual Pierluigi Lazzarini

www.exallievi.org EX ALLIEVI Newsflash - 5 october 2020 43 INTERVIEW

Laos

INTERVIEW WITH SANYA BOONPRASERT , founder of Past Pupils of "Don Bosco" of Vientiane

(ANS - Vientiane) Mary Help of Christians: " If there is an op - portunity in my life to help children or The "Don Bosco" Vocational Training Center young people in difficulty, I will follow the (VTC) in Vientiane, capital of Laos, is the spirit of Bosco. And I will do it with joy ". only Salesian presence in the country; it began in 2004, thanks to the zeal of Fr Tito So when Fr Tito Pedron and the provincial Pedron. council of Thailand decided to open a new work in Laos and thought about me, I im - After a difficult start, the work was reco - mediately said yes. gnized by the Laotian government and cur - The first few years were humble. I started rently welcomes about 150 students from with courses for Electricians and Motorcy - every province of Laos. This is where Mr. cle Mechanics. Sanya Boonprasert works, the founder of The following year the first student arri - the Past Pupils of the "Don Bosco" of Vien - ved, his name was Thao Sansuk. tiane . We used the courtyard of our house, there How did you start your work in Vien - was only a tent and a table. tiane? In the following years, younger people were «It was 2004. After two years at the Aspi - admitted, who then became teachers once rantate in Nazareth, I prayed and said to they graduated ».

44 EX ALLIEVI Newsflash - 5 october 2020 www.exallievi.org INTERVIEW

What were the main challenges during body returned home. Everyone agreed to the first few years? work for a year to find a solution. «The challenge was to start a Salesian work from scratch in a new country. It was great. Another nice thing is to be able to see so many poor kids who manage The goal was to open a Vocational Training to change their lives. Center in Vientiane. Thanks to Don Bosco they had the oppor - tunity to study, to make a career for them - There were some problems, but in those selves and therefore able to feed their cases, I consulted with Father Pedron and families ». we sought a solution. Furthermore, when problems arose, I always turned to the What is your dream? image of Mary Help of Christians and Don «My dream is to see the Vientiane Voca - Bosco in my room ». tional Training Center grow steadily and ex - pand in various other districts of Laos, What are the best moments spent in where there are really many poor young Laos? people. I would like the "Don Bosco" Voca - «Our Vocational Training Center was clo - tional Training Center in Vientiane to be - sed at some point. come a clear example of the work that the But all the teachers and students of that Past Pupils carry out together with the Sa - time did not want to leave Don Bosco, no - lesian confreres to help young people ».

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Israel

SALESIAN HOUSE IN BEITGEMAL , witness of Salesian life of Simone Srugi

member as the holiest Salesian and the most influential educator. Among house's activities, the mill made available to far - mers and their mediation for disputes con - cerning residents has also remained in the memory of the locals.

Don Gian Maria Gianazza The Beitgemal area had been a swampy Beitjemal area for a long time, which the Salesians (ANS - Beitgemal) reclaimed over the years, making it culti - chesis on Christianity and an interesting vable. service for spreading the Word of God and Among the Salesian works in the Holy Land Today Beitgemal is characterized by being other religious texts in various languages. there is the house of Beitgemal. It was a Church presence in a fully Jewish con - The house is also characterized by the re - founded in 1878 by Fr Antonio Belloni as an text, by welcoming numerous visitors, ception of groups and, with the help of the orphanage and agricultural area, and is mainly Jews and immigrants from Eastern Salesian NGO " VIS - Volontariato Interna - now directed by Fr Gian Maria Gianazza, in countries. zionale per lo Sviluppo - International Vo - the Middle East since 1960. lunteers for Development " for the These visitors are undoubtedly attracted cultivation of the countryside with its vine - The dormant area is a community of nuns by the beauty of the place, but they can also yards and olive groves. and one of friars, and houses the tomb of find the opportunity for an essential cate - Saint Stephen and the Salesian coadjutor In recent years, the Salesian welcome Simone Srugi, a central figure for the Sa - house has organized numerous initiatives lesians of the Middle East, who founded a in Beitgemal, including cultural ones, such dispensary here that offered medical as - as concerts of classical music that are sistance to the area's inhabitants. very popular with nearby residents, and gatherings of organized groups in the area, Simone Srugi, today Venerable, was well- such as Scouts, during the summer. liked by everyone; even the bandits infe - Since 1920, a meteorological observatory sting the area who, if they didn't altogether has also been located in Beitgemal, which love him, did at least admire and respect sends its weather reports every morning: him. It is thus Simone Srugi who the Past before it did so for the British, today for Pupils of the work, years later, will re - Israel.

46 EX ALLIEVI Newsflash - 5 october 2020 www.exallievi.org NEWS

Panama

A GREEN REVOLUTION BY NO MEANS NEGLIGIBLE

(ANS - Panama City) in the ITDB. All this has stimulated my per - sonal growth and awakened in others that Santiago Corrales Rodríguez is a young something that motivates them to be good. past pupil of Don Bosco from Colombia and former President of the EcoClub of the Don Recycling I also learned that great skills Bosco Technical Institute in Panama City. are not needed, but that we can all assimi - Here he offers his testimony on the cur - late this ideal and learn with humility to rent challenge of the environment and its work as a team. relationship with the Salesian charism. Through the Don Bosco Green Alliance I The theme of the environment attracted me was selected as a speaker during last yea - from an early age. During my adolescence, achieve as a group, as a school and as a r's United Nations High Level Political I had the opportunity to participate more neighborhood. Nor did I imagine what I Forum on Sustainable Development, toge - consciously in these processes. I reconsi - would learn and how my environmental ther with three young women from Ger - dered my position in relation to the sur - awareness and my personal training would many, Papua New Guinea and Ghana. rounding environment and I began to be consolidated. develop an ecological way of thinking, which We presented our efforts for the environ - led me to engage in my own little world. We have installed recycling points throu - ment from our different perspectives and In 2016 I was studying at the Don Bosco Te - ghout the institution. We organized the eco - situations, and it was an opportunity to un - chnical Institute in Panama. logical fashion show. We held a week for derstand that there is more future than we The director of the time, Fr Ángel Prado, internal recycling which collected more believe and that we can do more than we started a waste recycling plan in the school than 3,500 kg of material. We enjoyed the think. in collaboration with the ' Eco Creando' ecological walks. Foundation . Thus was born the committee Through schools such as the Don Bosco Te - for the recycling of our school, which two And we managed to get the people of the chnical Institute and its EcoClub, and foun - years later would become the 'EcoClub neighborhood to use our school's collec - dations such as Eco Creando, young people ITDB'. tion center. can learn to take care of the environment and improve their behaviour. Organizations Being part of this group meant for me to We have made alliances with companies such as Don Bosco Green Alliance give support my mother, who worked in the dedicated to separate waste collection and young people a voice to be heard and to get Foundation, and to share our concerns. It with the 'Don Bosco Green Alliance'. Being their message across. was my opportunity to share things with able to act at home, at WYD 2019 our Eco - her, but also to generate real change in so - Club took care of coordinating all recycling Source : Boletín Salesiano de Centroamé - ciety. I did not imagine what we would management for the pilgrims who stayed rica

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Slovenia "A REFLECTION OF THE EAST ". The story of Servant of God Fr Andrea Majcen, SDB, in an illustrated book (ANS - Ljubljana) book, created by illustrator Juan Juvancic, a Salesian past pupil of the Don Bosco In - On the occasion of the Dies Natalis of the stitute in Buenos Aires , thanks to the col - Servant of God Fr Andrea Majcen (Maribor- laboration of the vice-postulator of his Slovenia, 30 September 1904 - Ljubljana, cause, Fr Alojzij Slavko Snoj, and of the De - 30 September 1999), the Salesian Province legate for Social Communication Marko Su - "Saints Cyril and Methodius" of Slovenia hoveršnik. and the publishing house "Salve" have pu - blished an illustrated book for children that The book's illustrator, Juan Juvancic, was tells the " missionary adventures " of Fr born in Argentina to Slovenian parents. He Majcen. attended Salesian schools and started a fa - mily and lived for many years working in Fr Andrea Majcen, a Salesian and heroic Argentina. In 2008 he moved to his pa - missionary, is considered the "patriarch of rents' land where, in addition to other jobs, the Salesians" of Vietnam , a country he he collaborates with the Salesians. reached in 1952 after being expelled from The artist learned about the figure of Fr China. He remained in Vietnam until the ad - Majcen only a year ago, on the occasion of vent of the communist regime in 1976, the closure of the diocesan process of his when he returned to Slovenia, becoming a cause, but was immediately fascinated by missionary animator, spiritual director and him. He studied his life and via illustrations confessor until the end of his life with he tried to narrate significant and amusing forty-four years of missionary apostolate events of his missionary actions. In doing in China and Vietnam and 20 years of mis - so, he used bright colors and action sce - sionary animation in Slovenia. The reflec - nes, so that the message that the Servant tions and meditations, collected in his of God lived and transmitted the Word of diaries (more than 6,000 handwritten God in China and Vietnam was clearly ex - pages), express a profound Christian and pressed in just a few words. religious life and a personal commitment to spiritual growth. In his long and fruitful The comic is also accompanied by a short life, animated video in various languages, which lists the most important dates in the life of Fr Majcen fulfilled the mission of being in Fr Majcen and summarizes the human, spi - the Church a sign and bearer of God's love, ritual and apostolic life of the Servant of drawing from the very Heart of Christ that God: pastoral charity marked by great apostolic Latin: https://youtu.be/Sn-Ek8-uQCs ardor and a predilection for young people. Italian: https://youtu.be/-IsAspe_g80 Spanish: https://youtu.be/sFrq5PNKeCY Today his missionary, religious and human English: https://youtu.be/q2ZnB-WqSZ0 history is collected in an educational comic Slovenian: https://youtu.be/1VbjjMXfZDE

48 EX ALLIEVI Newsflash - 5 october 2020 www.exallievi.org NEWS

Vietnam

... CONTINUES TO INSPIRE MANY

(ANS – Ho Chi Min City)

12 December 2016. The Servant of God, Fr. Andre Majcen (1904-1999), called the Don Bosco of Vietnam was a well known fatherly figure during his life time in China, Vietnam and Slovenia. While his cause of Beatifica - tion proceeds, new initiatives also flourish from his testimony: Mr. Francis Nguyen, one of his disciples, and the Don Bosco Past Pupils , in synergy with the Salesians, laun - ched a wonderful initiative in HCM City - “Bisto Mai-Sen ” - a vocation training cen - ter for rural youth nearby the HCM airport.

There, about 120 youngsters (young men and women) have the opportunity to learn bakery, cooking, and hotel or restaurant skills. This apostolic initiative brings toge - ther a service to young people in need and spreads the fame of holiness of “ the Don Bosco of Vietnam ”.

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South Korea

SIGNIFICANT HOMAGE TO FR JOHN LEE , a Salesian missionary

(ANS - Seoul) Tonj in South Sudan during the difficult years of the civil war. A second film focusing on the life of Fr John The producer and director, from 2010 on - Lee (1962-2010), a Korean Salesian missio - wards, began to visit the city of Tonj an - nary in South Sudan from 2001 to 2009, nually and, through these visits, acquired was released last January. the personal knowledge and trust of many Past Pupils , who narrated their stories in It is a documentary directed by Ku Su detail. Hwan, who ten years ago had already di - rected " Don't Cry Tonj ". The film is produ - They then shared their memories of Fr Lee, ced by KBS (Korean Broadcasting System) remembering him in the Oratory or in the in collaboration with the Salesian Province school. of Korea. Watching the documentary, anyone can The documentary is titled " The Resurrec - perceive the joy and enthusiasm of Don Bo - tion ." It features the testimony of about 70 sco's educational style, based on uncondi - Past Pupils and students of Fr John Lee , tional love for others. who died of cancer in 2010. In December 2019, the Salesian Province of Fr Lee was a missionary, a doctor, teacher Korea presented the film at a press confe - and animator of the oratory in the city of rence, informing journalists in advance that

50 EX ALLIEVI Newsflash - 5 october 2020 www.exallievi.org NEWS

2020 would be a significant and meaningful year for the memory of Fr John Lee.

The Salesians of South Korea, in fact, are dedicating special attention to Fr Lee in this 2020 and, by the end of the year, another documentary on the missionary's life is also planned.

Precisely on the tenth anniversary of his death, his life is therefore retraced, so that it becomes an inspiration for many young people to serve the most needy.

The documentary will be available shortly, subtitled in English. For now, the trailer of the film is available on YouTube.

Also, there is a presentation curated by the Korean Episcopal Conference. And an interview with the film's director.

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Papua New Guinea

ONLINE MEETING OF PAST PUPILS OF DON BOSCO

Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea (but online) - August 24, 2020

The Past Pupils of Papua New Guinea, with their former provin - cial, Fr Alfred Maravilla, the new Superior of the PGS Vice Pro - vince, Fr Gregorio Bicomong Jr, and the Provincial Delegate for Salesian Family and for the Past Pupils, Fr Angel Sanchez , had a two-hour online meeting with the World Delegate Fr Dominic Nam and with the GEX Regional Councilor for the East Asia Oceania Re - gion.

They talked about the general situation of the Past Pupils and esta - blished a first rapport.

At the conclusion of the meeting, the participants expressed their gratitude for the strong sense of "belonging to a larger family".

Everyone agreed that this is just the beginning of a long journey together!

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Slovakia

SLOVAK MODEL FOR CREATING a local union of Don Bosco Past Pupils

(ANS - Prešov) Past Pupils in the Slovak city of Prešov pros and cons, it was decided to create a began five years ago, in 2015. new center for Past Pupils in Prešov . How do you set up a Center for Don Bosco Past Pupils in your own Oratory? «At the meeting of the Educative Pastoral The formation of the Prešov Past Pupils of Community (Oratory-Youth Centre) by Don Bosco Centre (Union) began 5 years Can we consider all those who have recei - chance I got hold of the Don Bosco Express ago (in 2015). «We communicated with the ved a Salesian education in the Oratory or Magazine, an official publication by the Slo - then Salesian Rector in Prešov, Fr Martin in a Youth Center " Past Pupils "? vakian Federation of Slovakia. And from this Kacmáry, about the possibilities of support accidental encounter came my question: from the SDBs », continues Mr. Peklansky. And what about the Past Pupils of a school “Who are the Past pupils of Don Bosco?" », «We took over our mission and looked for environment? explains Jozef Peklansky. opportunities to engage - so that we could share in the Past Pupils goals together with A local Slovak center for Don Bosco Past A few days after his question, the Salesians other components of the Salesian Family in Pupils offers an answer to all these que - of Prešov contacted him and, after a year, Prešov ". stions. The formation of a local center of several meetings and evaluations on the On 8 December 2018, symbolically on the

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anniversary of Don Bosco's first oratory and the feast day of the Immaculate Con - ception, Mass was celebrated for the ope - ning of the new center.

Since that day, 69 members have joined. Most are inhabitants of Prešov, while others live in the Czech Republic or even in America. Many of the centre's members are involved in leading small Christian com - munities, others are sports coaches, or perform duties at the local church. Twice they have been entrusted with organizing the feast day of Don Bosco on 31 January and have participated several times in the social project " Let's give a smile ".

«Our identity is anchored in the fact that we love Don Bosco and out of gratitude to the Salesians (SDB) we want to pass on what we have received. Our great blessing is that we have great support from the Sa - lesians. We try to respond to their needs and they can feel support in us », concludes Mr. Peklansky.

Source : AustraLasia

www.exallievi.org EX ALLIEVI Newsflash - 5 october 2020 55 EX ALLIEVI Newsflash Religious and Social magazine of the World Confederation of Ex-students of Don Bosco

Director and Editor EX ALLIEVI Newsflash General House Opera Salesiana Teresa Gerini Salesian headquarters Via Tiburtina, 994 - 00156 Roma (Italia) Via Marsala, 42 - 00185 Roma (Italia) tel. (+39) 06.409.003 tel. (+39) 06.656.121 Centralino Internet: www.exallievi.org Fax (+39) 06.656.12.556 Internet: www.sdb.org E-mail: [email protected]

Direction and Editorial Coordination Pierluigi Lazzarini NUMBER OF OUR ACCOUNTS [email protected] [email protected] Name : Confederation of Past Pupils of Don Bosco Bank : Lombard Bank Malta p.l.c. Collaborators of this issue Don Ángel Fernández Artime SDB, Michal Hort, don Václav Klement SDB, Address : Balzan, Malta Leslie Mou Brown, Niel Evangelista, don Carlo Nanni SDB, Sandra Pistilli, IBAN : MT 08 LBMA 0500 0000 0000 0144 0520 986 Gianfrancesco Romano, don Rosario Salerno SDB, don Babu Varghese SDN, SWIFT Code : LBMAMTMT Nisaury Ventura Bank Account Number : 01440520986

Photography and Images Archivio Agenzia ANS, AustraLasia, Boletín Salesiano de Centroamérica, CasertaWeb, Salesianos Uruguay

The quarterly magazine (Italian, English, Spanish, French and Portuguese) is available on the official website www.exallievi.org in these dea - dlines: EASTER OF RESURRECTION ; JUNE 24 (birth of former students); OCTOBER 5 (Blessed A. Marvelli); DECEMBER 25 (Holy Christmas)

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Translations Ag. ANS - Sandra Pistilli Ag. ANS - Nisaury Ventura Ag. ANS - don Rosario Salerno Ag. ANS - Nisaury Ventura

150 Years of History 150 años de historia 150 ans d'histoire 150 anos de história

ITALIAN EDITION SPANISH EDITION FRENCH EDITION PORTUGUESE EDITION