Editorial

Memory Over Time

Giuseppina Teruggi

Transmitting the extraordinary legacy that universe in the name of the Son and of the Jesus communicated in the entrusting of Holy Spirit, and he then made an act of himself as a living Presence: this is the thanksgiving. When he finished the prayers raison d'être of the Church, his journey in of thanksgiving, all those present history. A mystery of faith, a certainty that is acclaimed: "Amen." After that, those called a source of consolation and hope. The Year deacons distributed to those present the of Faith provides an opportunity to revive bread and the consecrated wine and water, the memory of the Presence of Jesus, and these were taken to those who were source from which we draw in order to give absent. We call this food the Eucharist, and credibility to proclaiming the Good News to no one can take part in it unless he believes young people. that our teachings are true ... In fact, we do not take them as ordinary bread and drink, The extraordinary heritage was transmitted but ... as the flesh and blood of Jesus and entrusted to us by Don Bosco and incarnate. The apostles, in their memoirs Mother Mazzarello to be guarded, called Gospels, handed down this command preserved, and handed down faithfully and left to them from Jesus. " creatively. The strength of the charism causes us to put into the hearts of the Justinian continues: “In the day called ‘of young thw 'leaven of the Gospel'. Small the Sun’ we all-inhabitants of the city or the seeds to be scattered in the furrows of countryside-gather and read the memoirs of history, in the lives of young people. We do the Apostles or the writings of the Prophets. not know the times of germination and When the reader has finished, the one in flowering. But certainly the fruits will come, charge admonishes and exhorts us with a according to rhythms that do not belong to discourse to imitate this good example. us. This is highlighted in the current issue of Then together we rise and offer prayers , the Magazine. and as we have said, once the prayer is concluded, bread, wine and water are It is impressive to read the story of brought…with prayers of thanksgiving.” Justinian, a Christian philosopher and martyr in Rome around the year 167 AD, which documents how the early Christians lived the memory of Jesus' presence. “ It is beautiful to think that today we, the When the prayers were finished, bread and heirs of this great wealth, with the young a cup of water and wine mixed together people to whom Benedict XVI addressed were brought to the one in charge of the the invitation: “Go and make disciples of all brethren, and he took them and offered people!” praise and glory to the Father of the

Dossier deteriorated and tragic human situations. It is a glimmer of hope that unfolds within the Entrusting a Legacy reality in which we find ourselves living, no “Yours is the kingdom of matter how it is presented. heaven...” The inheritance of the “Kingdom of Heaven” the summit of happiness Emilia Di Massimo

We all know the meaning of the term "Blessed" means "immensely, inheritance. It reminds us of the legal world, extraordinarily happy", which, as stated that which is material. However, the above, responds to the desire of every dictionary, among its various nuances, human being. Well then, Jesus assures us: offers also the following: “the complex of "you poor, who have left everything and values, and sentiments that constitute a have followed me, you are blessed, spiritual legacy”. because yours is the Kingdom of God. “ The Kingdom of God does not indicate a The goods remind us of a dear person, but geographical extension, it means that God without the affective dimension, no cares for each of us. One senses that the remembrance would be such and have words spoken by Jesus hide otherworldly importance. In fact, world literature, either promises that allude to the fulfillment of between the lines or clearly, stated, reveals complete joy that we look for all our life, the profound basic desire not to be without ever being able to grasp it forgotten, to leave a heredity of love that completely. They refer to that sense of continues to allow for a correspondence being full of an all-encompassing joy that between a living person and one who is no exists only in our dreams. They translate, as longer on earth. This is the deep desire that does no other human phrasebook, our dwells in the heart of every human being, nostalgia for the future. without exception, because in each individual there is an insatiable need for It does not take long to realize, then, that happiness. In a certain sense, then, in a behind these brief sentences of the Sermon more or less evident manner the literature on the Mount there is something great. And reflects Christian tradition, and expresses a of that mysterious "Kingdom of Heaven", the belief in an afterlife that is eternal. The most obvious thing that can be said is that it desire for beatitude passes through the represents the pinnacle of happiness. Yes, heart of a person, perhaps that's why what Jesus wants to give an answer to the Jesus says in the "Sermon on the Mount", primordial instance for which the soul had reported in the Gospel according to always yearned. We have been created to Matthew, Chapter 5, and the Gospel be happy. Joy is our vocation. It is the only according to Luke Chapter 6, goes directly project having neat contours that God has to the heart and meets this yearning: "for designed for people. An attainable, real joy, yours is the kingdom of God". The Kingdom which, while already given to us here on of God, with the Beatitudes that Jesus earth, holds in itself a promise of eternity. proclaims is exactly the new humanity Jesus’ words seem to suggest to us that if accepted by God that corresponds to an we want to take part in the inheritance of the need for salvation emerging from kingdom, we must become poor, preferring the poor. Tonino Bello said in one of his was a profession of love both for Jesus writings: “Either we merit the title of Christ and for his neighbor, in a particular ‘blessed’ by becoming poor, or we earn it on way for young people, without any that field of ‘blessedness’ by loving and dichotomy. Don Bosco’s example urges us serving the poor”. We find an echo of this in this sense and it is good to recall a few Word in symmetry to another: “Come, beautiful characteristics of his educational blessed of my Father, receive the method geared toward forming “good inheritance of the kingdom prepared for you Christians and honest citizens”: study, work, from the foundation of the world”. It is an regulated freedom, joy, and civility in a invitation one receives in the measure in tendency toward a synthesis of reason and which one chooses the option for the poor. religion. Don Bosco wanted an integral formation for his young people. A heritage to bear fruit “Education”, he used to say, “is a matter of One day, overcome with wonder, Bishop the heart”, it is necessary that all facets of Armido Gasparini missionary in Sidamo, education converge in a communion of indicated a group of Ethiopian children with interests and objectives for the maturing of eyes wide open because of hunger, and an authentic human and Christian said to a friend: “The fact that these children personality. But Don Bosco did not stop to belong to God no longer surprises me very contemplate the "heaven" of his boys. He much. And not even that they are brothers lived in their midst, and knew, or "felt”, that of Jesus Christ. But what baffles and they could not endure only serious thoughts; excites me is that these poor little ones are furthermore, he was able to experience how much they suffered "poverty" and heirs of paradise ! It seems to be an absurdity. But it is precisely in the name of "abandonment", and what their needs were, this ‘absurdity’, the fact that I am happy to even though spoken or unspoken. His have spent my whole life in the midst of pedagogy, therefore, could not assume these people.” If Bishop Gasparini would anything but the "face" of the boys under his have been a contemporary of Don Bosco, care. Necessarily, then, his content and he would have been in perfect harmony with methods were "humanized". Their "eternal the saint of young people. Don Bosco’s life salvation" was sought after going through the indispensable forms of earthly salvation Mother Mazzarello did not leave an (food, clothing, housing, work, profession, inheritance of initiatives and works; she left socialization) and a style in the measure of a spiritual experience and a charism to be youthful sensitivity (affective security, renewed each day, and to be made creative serenity, family life, joy). Then towards the in all times. Like Don Bosco, Mother last quarter of the past century, with the Mazzarello, because she was a great expert development of the various works, Don in God, was a prophet. A prophet is not the Bosco, charges the terms “poor” and one who sees the future; a prophet is she “abandoned” with ever greater meaning who knows how to look at present history while remaining faithful until his last days to with God’s eye, and knows how to respond the original preferential option for economic, to present appeals with God’s heart. What social, and religious poverty. His solicitude the Co-Foundress lived is for us today the extended ideally to all young people unprecedented opportunity to respond both affected by some "insecurity", even moral, to the vocation received and to the professional, and cultural, because of which expectations of young people. These are diversified measures of acceptance, opportunities that could be summed up in assistance, support, and promotion were this way: courage to tend toward sanctity, necessary. Accordingly, institutions and wisdom of heart, educational spirituality, methods became open to a broader taking care of persons, and therefore living "availability". The words of “father and loving kindness. In summary, it means teacher of youth” were listened to with going against the current by choosing a high growing empathy and consensus the most standard of Christian life that is holiness, varied categories of persons, sensitive to wisdom of heart, the ability to create the problem of the education of youth in a relationships for a more humane society, new world. This empathy, stirred up and the courage to take in hand educational everywhere by Don Bosco, certainly came spirituality. The legacy that Don Bosco and from the assumption of educational action Mother Mazzarello left us is one that is not steps that were widely shared: the phases to be lost, but one that we must bring to of growth of young people were not a greater fruition in today’s society that needs transitory event, but a life experience that values and witness more than ever before. was valid in itself, and which influenced their It is a challenge that urges us to renew the future; the boys are and must be not only quality of faith, of fraternal life, of the active collaborators in their education, but educational mission. This harmonious authentic protagonists; the joy and struggle “quality” depends on the integral formation of speaking and planning is not a simple of young people, authentic education that task or duty, but is above all enthusiasm, leads them to be “good Christians and inventive passion for life, and for the honest citizens”. meaning of existence; the educational relationship called for the involvement of The educator: an heir friendship, community building, and the pro- Returning to the sources is important, positive presence of values and ideals. however our life is full of questions. Some What was said about the work of Don Bosco come from the culture in which we live, was completed with the application in the others are personal, arrive unexpectedly feminine world by Mother Mazzarello. from fragments of our life, from the joys and anguish that every now and then come our He says, without half-measures: the way. Still others, we share. They are measure of love is to sacrifice one’s life for questions that come to our minds and those who are loved, without uncertainties hearts for the simple reason that we live, and without too many “ifs” “ands” or “buts”. hope, and love. Many of these questions This seems to be the “measure” that makes are a cry of sorrow, that burns our existence an heir of the educator. because of the many things that we have a right to possess, and which, instead are Spiritual accompaniment: a legacy stolen from us violently The restlessness entrusted to us that hammers within urges us to seek, with The spiritual accompaniment of young trepidation, answers to our questions. people is defined as a singular relationship Don Bosco and Mother Mazzarello spent that is built in faith and charity between two their whole lives to give serious, practical persons, one who is living a time of answers to the questions from the boys and “maturing” in the faith, and the other, to the girls of their time. contrary, is “walking” toward this maturity. Living the time of maturing in the faith Actually, we cannot continue to respond to means having unified one’s life in the Lord the educational mission with the same Jesus, it means living the time of fidelity and responses of our saints, but we can ask stability. The adult in the faith is the one ourselves what they saw and continue to who has discovered the treasure in their see still today through us. Undoubtedly, it own life, has identified their own vocation remains central to love the young people as that is the daily experience of grace. The they are; with the certainty we know that person who accompanies is usually a few the educator is the heir of a charism that years older than the one being has as its pillar love, and therefore he/she accompanied, or better, has already possesses “the hymn of charity”. Without traveled a stretch of the road and for this charity it is useless to know all pedagogy, reason knows the joys and difficulties every communicative art and the vastness inherent in both life and living the faith. of the culture. We have inherited a love He/she knows that the Lord who is faithful is spelled out in the Preventive System and the one who accompanies. He/she knows has its roots in the Word. From the that the life of faith is challenging, , response to the questions that arise in our discipline, times of silent prayer and of lives we know that there are many, but the sharing, and asks for fraternal life. The Gospel suggests a total response, it grasps person who accompanies knows how to all, with the one great preoccupation of remember his/her spiritual journey, that having us discover that God is a Father who which has been a personal experience, loves us, wants us to be full of happiness, journey of faith, requiring fidelity, but not comforted in hope, committed in living truly making it absolute, remembers well the as his children. He has a logic that is so passages and graces the Lord has given. precise that it could even seem to be Without these fundamental nuclei, one strange. God takes the initiative. He asks cannot accompany and would not transmit us to experience it, believe it, and a take a anything, would not entrust any legacy. chance on it. He assures us of a love that Whoever wants to be spiritually welcomes, saves, and fills us with life, but, accompanied needs truth, clarity, and authenticity; it requires that the educator requires also non-verbal gestures, since have a discreet affective maturity, because affection, and is the pedagogy of goodness. for accompaniment content is not enough, it

“Gratuity”: there is no greater love story of Jesus of Nazareth is a story of love The success of authentic spiritual and self-sacrifice: he "passed among us accompaniment leads the young person to doing good". He was the Good Samaritan in open themselves to solidarity, an value the Gospel ,who seeing the victim, looked at inseparable from gratuity. “Do not bury your him, and was "moved by compassion", "he talents, take a chance on great ideals, go drew close to him," (..) "And took care of against the current, there is no life without him," becoming the image of the style of challenges , and a young person who Jesus and, at the same time, of Christian cannot face them without putting witness. Volunteering, a modern form of gift themselves at stake is spineless. "It is just and of a gratuitous relationship thus one in the anthology of quotations, among becomes a Christian witness of an eternal the many that Pope Francis is giving us. His destiny. references to personal responsibility awaken the taste of conquest, the value of The story of a piece of bread sacrifice, the sense of struggle for love, After the elderly doctor died, his three children freedom, justice, referring to a concept of arrived to settle his legacy: the heavy old life as game to be played as a protagonist. furniture, precious pictures, and many books. In a fine showcase, their father had conserved Transmitting to young people the spiritual pieces of his memory: delicate glasses, antique inheritance is giving them the joy of porcelain figurines, souvenirs from trips, and encountering Jesus, and we know that the many other things. On a corner of the lowest shelf, there was a strange object. It seemed to The children of the doctor felt that in that old be a hard, gray lump. When it was brought out piece of bread their Dad was closer, more into the light, all froze. It was a very old piece of present, than in all the expensive furniture and bread, dried and hardened by time. How did it treasures piled up in that house. They held that end up there, in the midst of all those precious piece of bread, that true and precious legacy in items? The woman who took care of the house their hands as the fullest mystery of the strength told the story: During the years of famine, at the of life. They shared it as a memory of their father end of the Great War, the doctor became and the gift of one who , once upon a time, was gravely ill and his energies were fading away. It the first to break it for love.” (Fr. Angelo Saporiti) would be necessary to get some food for him, but where would they find it during these hard From the spiritual legacy of Don Bosco times? A friend of the doctor brought a chunk of My dear, beloved sons in J.C., substantial, homemade bread that he had received as a gift. While holding it in his hands, Before leaving for my eternity, I must fulfill a few the sick doctor had tears in his eyes. When the obligations toward you and thus satisfy an friend had left, he did not want to eat it, but ardent desire that I have in my heart. First of all, rather chose to send it to a neighbor whose I thank you with the most ardent affection of soul daughter was ill. “That young life has more need for the obedience you have given me, and all of being healed than this old man,” thought the you have done to support and propagate our doctor. congregation. I leave you here on earth, but only The mother of the sick girl brought the piece of for a little while. I hope that the infinite mercy of bread given to her by the doctor to a war God will grant that we may all find one another refugee who was living in the attic and was a in the blessed eternity. I await you there. complete stranger in the country. This foreign I recommend that you do not weep at my death. woman shared the bread with her daughter who This is a debt that we must all pay, but afterward was hiding in a cellar with her two children for every struggle borne for love of our Teacher, the fear of being arrested. Her daughter Good Jesus, will be richly recompensed…If you remembered the doctor who had treated her two have loved me in the past, continue to love me children without charging anything and who was in the future by the exact observance of our now sick and weak. Constitutions (…) The doctor received the piece of bread , Farewell, dear children, farewell. I await you in recognized it immediately and was very moved. heaven. There we shall speak of God, of Mary, “If this bread still exists, if people knew how to mother and support of our congregation, and share the last piece of bread among there we will forever bless this, our themselves, I don’t need to be concerned for congregation, the observance of whose rules what will happen to all of us,” said the doctor. powerfully and efficaciously contributed toward “This piece of bread satisfied many people saving us. Sit Nomen Domini Benedictum ex without being eaten. It is holy bread!” hoc nunc et usque in saeculum. In te Domine, Who knows how many times the elderly doctor speravi non confundar in aeternum. must have looked at that piece of bread, contemplating it and receiving strength from it, especially during the most difficult and hardest times!

A Glance at the World

Young Angola

Miguel Natalia

Angola is a country in the western region of contexts. The first, even though they did not Africa. Of the 16,335,000 inhabitants 45- live the war directly, suffered its 50% of the population is under fifteen years consequences, especially the influence of of age. This information shows them to be Marxism. Many of them are university a young nation. students with socio- political commitments, It has had independence since 1975, but entrepreneurs, public officials, and even has lived 27 years of civil war that has those working in ecclesial life. Not all, destroyed human identity, disrupted many however, have the possibility of finding a families, provoked forced migration, and the first job in dignified work, therefore some destruction of many infrastructures, etc. become traveling salespersons. The A peace accord was reached on April 4, majority of them come from families that are 2001, and now Angola has been living in relatively poor or disrupted, but thanks to peace and democracy for eleven years. their studies and the use of the means of From an economic point of view, it is a communication, they have a critical sense. country that has many resources to be able Furthermore, schools offer a serious to progress. In fact, during recent years it educational proposal. Among the young has shown growth in the economic field, but people who live in the city, many experience this leaves out a good slice of the conditions of marginalization, become population, especially the poorest. violent, and cause fear in others; they The greatest source of its wealth is oil, but create uneasiness around them, and the the dependence on this form of income is political situation does not succeed in taking widening the gap that already distances the care of them except when with dangerous rich from the poor. actions they sees to draw attention to The greater part of the population is themselves. Christian with 60% Catholic and 15% Protestant, and 28% follow traditional Then there are the young people who live in religions, and 3% are Muslims who have rural areas and who have personally emigrated from Central Africa. experienced war. Among them some are farmers, hunters, (especially girls), while Youth situation others are students, and others are soldiers or former soldiers. Because of the war they The situation of youth in Angola is fairly have had a limited cultural education, but heterogeneous, and what this means is that we could say that these young people have not all the young people are equal. A study an original African cultural identity. They carried out by the national secretariat of want to work and are not afraid of sacrifice. Youth Ministry immediately after the civil They are peaceful, respectful, sincere, war, brought out that the youth reality could humble, and religious; however, they are be subdivided into different categories: not very critical. They start school at a more youth in the urban and youth in the rural advanced age than the young people who live in the city. Usually, they are the strength of the basic Christian communities. For the rest, we find ourselves in a disproportionate cultural and epochal Our ministry attention change-from a historical point of view- regarding the west. We see in the young From the very beginning the Church has people the race “to possess’ more than “to had special care for the poor, especially in be”, assuming capitalist styles and times of war. During the 80’s and 90’s, the mentalities that are consumerist and Institute set in motion an emergency relativistic, where attention to the common ministry caring for parish catechesis, the good and one’s neighbor are in last place. oratory, and literacy programs, and then Therefore, we need a ministry of education during the post-war period the opening of to Christian values that lead to a change in schools, professional formation courses and mentality. Education to the inalienable other informal educational proposals . value of life against the culture of death that During this peaceful period, there are other is being propagated, of solidarity and prospects, and they require a certain gratuity against an individualistic mentality, continuity. In my opinion, while the nation is of transparency against corruption, of reconstructing the infrastructures, it is responsibility and fidelity, etc. necessary to have a rebuilding of Christian In this time of epochal change, it seems anthropology in the young people. Faced important that the journey is to be made with a society that is so absorbed with the together, teaching each other, trying to be ideals of globalization, the reference points agents of social transformation with the of the young people are in crisis. Usually it young, looking beyond. As Don Bosco told is felt that in their life decisions they do not us: "My desire to see you happy in time and listen to the voice of conscience, and they eternity". easily fall into the trap of choices that are not ethically Christian

Law and Rights

Ritalin: the obedience pill increase in prescriptions in the U.S.alone, a Rosaria Elefante country that today has 90% of the world's production of methylphenidate). Even less Ritalin discovered in the 50’s is a important is that it remains a nagging, old pharmaceutical destined for use with temptation of psychiatry to classify social children , Methylphenidate, the main normality. Pharmacological treatment of ingredient, was used to treat rare diseases this disorder is the foundation of legitimizing of the nervous system (such as narcolepsy). it, even though - according to many experts Then it was discovered that it could have a - it is often unnecessary and harmful. Also calming effect on hyperactive children. So it because Ritalin - like drug- based was that the children who, according to our methylphenidate - does not heal anything. grandmothers, had "quicksilver in their What is more, if the treatment, which must veins" became the bearers of a biological necessarily be prolonged, should be alteration, ADHD (Attention deficit interrupted because of a few side effects hyperactivity disorder), i.e.,a behavioral (insomnia, anorexia, growth inhibition, disorder marked by low levels of attention, uncontrolled tachycardia or arrhythmia, concentration, and excessive activity, as hypertension, gastrointestinal disorders, well as distraction and impulsivity. In short, hallucinations), the so-called original particularly vivacious children who had symptoms of ADHD would be represented difficulty in being "good", attentive and as much more marked. However, since obedient, were ... “sick”. early a first administration the drug produces a calming effect, the '"quicksilver However, serious scientific criteria to syndrome of " seems to fade away and the distinguish between vivacity and the little ones become very obedient, like disease did not yet exist, therefore the automatons, overcoming apparent learning ADHD syndrome remained somewhat difficulties, unleashing the enthusiasm of vague, relegated to the most controversial parents and teachers. diseases of childhood psychiatry, either because it refuted pathological authenticity, Real drugs or because it challenged the resulting therapy in sick children (or those presumed The fact remains that often healthcare to be sick). It did not matter if you felt that professionals, at the request of the parents you wanted to turn the children into perfect who are stressed out by other problems, or little soldiers and obedient pupils (i.e., the intolerant teachers who struggle in the premises of the commercial success of management of exuberant students, Ritalin, which between 1989 and 1996 saw prescribe psycho-stimulants. However this a 600% does not take into account the terrible

terrible side effects, an also the On the contrary, we were driven to diagnose predisposition to addiction and some ADHA in infants and to prescribing Ritalin. inducement to suicide, both detected in Despite the dire warning printed on the young patients who were given Ritalin. package insert of the drug: "It is deemed Probably the preoccupation of parents that highly necessary that there be supervision their children will have a normal or above and close monitoring of the patient during average hyperactivity, or suffer from the withdrawal from the drug, given the not Attention Deficit, might become socially remote possibility of the onset of severe marginalized outsiders with learning depression as well as the effects of chronic disabilities, makes the heavy consequences hyperactivity. of Ritalin "acceptable", especially if they are supported by the hope that soon use of the Certainly, Don Bosco would not have liked “dangerous” drug will be suspended. Ritalin one bit. And who knows if its spread is alien to the discovery by psychiatry in What happens instead is addiction to the recent decades, that the market for the drug, and therefore there has to be a youngest is both interesting and easier. constant increase in dosage to maintain the However, if the pharmaceutical companies calming effect. In short, rather than a have the right to produce drugs, it is therapeutic "practice" all this seems to be a sacrosanct that everyone has that of not harsh and unjustified violence on being forced to undergo a mistaken or personality development, and the physical forced diagnosis. Every child has the same growth of children and adolescents. Yet, it is sacred right - until there is scientifically not enough to make people reflect in a reliable evidence to the contrary - not to be certain scientific world of science, politics, considered ill. Yet, we drug our children, and the pharmaceutical industry. rather than accompanying them with kindness, reason and religion.

Building Peace

No to “Just War” Martha Sëide

“It is contrary to reason to think that in the atomic age war can be used as an instrument of justice.” (Pacem in terris n. 67)

This is one of the innovative statements of rigorous conditions of moral legitimacy (cf. Pacem in Terris, the historic encyclical of CCC 2309). In fact, as stated by Lorenzetti, John XXIII published on April 21, 1963 that perhaps the courage to recognize that the marked a turning point relative to the issue rules are violated in modern warfare is of conflicts between peoples. The lacking. So it is that any attempt at war is celebration of the 50th anniversary of the unacceptable. encyclical offers us the opportunity of reviewing the "just war theory" and Unacceptable legitimacy confirming the urgent need to abandon this doctrine carried forward by the Catholic Precisely the principles of legitimacy, Church for fifteen centuries. Luigi Lorenzetti, interpreted by States according to the noted moral theologian, studying the convenience, would open the way to a subject, highlights the novelty of the powerful return to the policy of war, message of Pacem in Terris, reiterated by especially after the attacks of September Vatican II, pointing to the Church's decision 11, 2001. In fact, in the last decade, there to set aside the theory, perceive the has been a return to qualify war, from time incompatible relationship between the to time, as just, necessary, inevitable, adjective "right "and the noun" war ", asymmetrical, intelligent, and, most therefore war cannot be an instrument of recently, even preventive and humanitarian. justice Evidently, if one thinks the horror and atrocities of war, with its enormous, bloody Never again war consequences on civilian populations, one can never, at any time and under any If war cannot be a way to obtain justice, it is circumstances, support the possibility of clear that the just war theory should be war, because it is incompatible with the discarded. "Never again war!" exclaimed human experience. Therefore, war must be Paul VI already in his address to the UN vigorously condemned, as the Council General Assembly in 1965. This points out in Gadium et Spes: "Every act of exclamation was forcefully re- echoed by war, aimed indiscriminately at the John Paul II, clearly expressing the will of destruction of whole cities or vast areas with the Pontiffs to look for alternative routes. their inhabitants, is a crime against God and However, this stance has not been always against the humanity and should be carried out in a radical way. Proof of this is condemned firmly and without hesitation " the confirmation of the Catechism of the (GS 80). Catholic Church which much later, (1992), allude to the justification of war, though noting that this decision should be subject to

To defend the life of all

Already in 2001, data provided by Caritas How does your community express the International clearly illustrated the breach of commitment for peace? rules that made a war unjust. It is enough to assess the effects on the civilian population: The Sisters of Mary Help of Christian’s "In World War I, the percentage of victims community in Saladeang - Bangkok among civilians was 5%, in the second war (Thailand) share one of the many the percentage rose to 50%, in the Vietnam experiences of commitment to peace conflict it came to more than 80%. In more through the transforming power of God's recent conflicts 85% to 95% of war victims Word. are civilians. "The percentages help us to touch with our own hands how far the "We firmly believe in the power of God's conditions of legitimacy are being infringed Word that we try to live and share every Wednesday with a group of Latin American From Just war to just peace women. At times, some people arrive feeling upset, and they leave in serenity We could say that the just war theory has because in prayer and in the Word they find had its day, now there is one of a just peace. This was the case of Mr. Umberto, peace. We need to defend just causes in an 84 year old Colombian who came to the right way. This is the challenge to which Bangkok for the summer holidays at the the Catholic Church must respond in invitation of his son. collaboration with other Christian ‘In the short time that he attended the denominations, and different religions sharing session”, said his daughter-in -law, (Lorenzetti). To make this way effective we ‘my father -in-law changed radically. He need to act together, i.e., internationally, went from being proud and spiteful to nationally, regionally, and especially on the becoming a gentle, humble man, capable of personal and community level in daily life asking for and receiving forgiveness. Upon (cf. DSC 500-503). his return to Colombia, the family no longer We can accept the instances of the recognized him because of the goodness he Ecumenical Declaration on a just peace to had acquired. When he died suddenly, his trace the paths to peace in three directions: relatives thanked the community that had to be sacraments, prophetic signs, and given him back life in God, and had means of peace with the Church and in the prepared him, churches. How? Each person should begin without his knowing it, for that definitive by listening to the Spirit in communion with encounter. We touched with our own hand the ecclesial community to discern how truly the Word can transform hearts.” appropriate ways according to his/her own environment.

Arianna’s Line

Is it Possible to Change?

Maria Rossi

“Whether we like it or not, we are constantly and knowledge that continually creates changing. We are born, become adults, pockets of poverty, or the greed for possession and domination that continues age, get sick, and die. Our cells and to foment wars and to suppress and / or cerebral connections are constantly being forces entire populations to emigrate, it renewed. In the course of our lives it could makes us think of the words to Qooleth as happen that we change friends…work, quoted in Ecclesiastes (1.9) : “What has house, and city. We experience mourning, been, that will be; what has been done, that crisis, illness, but also successes, love, will be done. Nothing is new under the sun.” fortune. All of this…influences our way of thinking and our emotional structure, The static ordinariness should not be changing us.” (CIONI Isabella, Cambiare, in confused with stability. Some stability lives meglio, in FOCUS 248, June 2013, p. 39. within and makes change possible, Other references will also be made to this contributes to the harmony of growth and study on pages 39-44). the formation of personal identity. Looking back at our own history, we note that while In addition to these personal changes, we we live in a process of social, cultural, and are also involved in the great social and even physical change, we always feel to be cultural changes due to scientific and the same, and this is very important. technological progress and the rapid spread For those who lived from the years '68-'70 of the Internet and social networks, changes on, cultural changes are an ongoing that are creating, especially among parents experience, sometimes one that is and educators, a sense of uncertainty, of overwhelming, and in any case a struggle. disorientation combined with the fear of not When possibilities and improvements are being up to their educational role, and not glimpsed, they are less of a burden, but being able to achieve a dialogue of mutual when, the goal is uncertain, it affects established habits, requiring new learning, understanding with the younger generation. re-dimensioning, displacement, and when Furthermore, while one lives the struggle of there is a slowing down or prevention of change, there is also the weight and the physical activity, it then creates anxiety, discomfort of a certain static and empty fear, and discomfort . repetitiveness. If you observe some phenomena like the ordinary succession of One can change either for better or for days and years, such as birth, growth, and worse. A few, observing the current aging situation, foresee that "things could always death , or the unequal distribution of goods be worse." Changing for the worse, however, is very easy: just remain set in your ways and habits, observe the negative, age, our brain forms a “map” that in some complain pitifully, and let life do the rest. "It's way represents our way of thinking and so simple” - notes the aforementioned feeling, and which, while continuing to author, “that at least half of humanity thinks evolve, is fairly stable. But it is a structure that being sick is normal and do not even attempt to do anything about their where, “in the absence of traumatic events unhappiness." or an active, conscious transformation, becomes more rigid over time." It is impossible to Ignore change. Making every effort to fight against it is in vain. Change is not easy for anyone. Change, in Believing that we can stop it, standing still in asking us to leave a former reference point habits and prejudices, precluded any and to reorganize our life around others that improvement, and means remaining at the are more suitable, but always shaky and mercy of others and events: it is like dying. unstable, breaks the balance reached, and But one can also change for the better. often creates uncertainty and a sense of weariness in all, but especially in those who A conscious, exhausting process are most vulnerable. When then these are more numerous and Prudence, and even science also involve much that is new, they could be the recommend that you enter with awareness cause of disorientation especially in the into this process in order to grasp its elderly and very young. Elderly persons, , positive aspects and to be able to manage it in addition to having a less flexible structure, wisely so as not to remain submissive, a fragile physical condition, and having to overwhelmed or marginalized. leave aside socially important roles, also In her Circular in preparation for the coming have lost important figures to whom they General Chapter, Mother Yvonne wrote: “To could refer (friends, relatives, acquaintances). Children also suffer when give a new, open breath to our they are subjected to excessive change. A communities, certainly, structural changes proper stability serves to form space and are necessary. They are those that affect time structures in themselves, so necessary lifestyle, schedules, and established habits.” to guide them in life and to develop a The prospects of change, though in healthy personal identity. Those who have continuity with those of preceding Chapters, experience in working with children who seem to be most urgent. The desire- have been tossed from one person to another, from foster care or from one proposal is to change for the better: "to give institution to another, at an early age, know a new, more open breath to our something about this. A little stability is a communities" and this becomes possible type of oxygen for all. with a profound restructuring of the personality, something, for some people, Adults are not exempt from the difficulties, that is very difficult. especially if the change requires a restructuring of the personality, touching, However if changing for the worse is very that is, habits and lifestyles such as an easy, evolving for the better involves a illness, the assumption of new considerable, justified struggle also of the responsibilities, a job change, or a traumatic structure and physiology of the neurons that event. Change is possible, even if persons form the nervous network of our brain. are insecure and rigid, or are not formed to According to neuroscience, on the sacrifice and resilience, and have not been neurological level, change is the norm. able to face the difficulties with strength, Moreover, already toward 10-15 years of may find it more difficult. Habits, especially journey is difficult and exhausting, it is good ones, are a great help. They allow one important to have a clear vision of the goal not having to worry about being there, to be reached, knowing that the struggle thinking about and deciding what to do, has meaning, and we must arm ourselves helping one to save time and energy to with patience, endurance, confidence in self dedicate to useful and interesting activities and in others, but mainly in God. If we or studies, to prayer or to hobby. could have at our side a guide or a person Sometimes, especially for people who tend who loves us, comforts and confirms us in toward rigidity and are led to believe that to our capacity, leaving aside mental save the Salesian spirit it is good to do as stereotypes or inadequate habits would be "we have always done," they can become a facilitated. cage, and also the death of what you would like to save . True change cannot be only on the individual level. We must go beyond. This

will become possible if we increase the levels of cohesion and trust among the Possible steps. Together community members. And doing this together could positively infect the If we look at the current situation without environment around us. nostalgia or regret we can see that, even within the Institute we have made If we succeed, in addition to believing in considerable progress. In the social sector, the scientific data relative to the plasticity of for example, we are more open and caring, the brain, in refining the certainty that He more capable of accepting those who are who has called us and loves us personally different from us in race and/or religion and, will not abandon us in difficulties, and that at the international level, we are fighting for Mary Help of Christians still walks in our human rights and against racial houses and is ready to give us a hand, the discrimination. But improvements are never spaces of anguish, uncertainty, and fear enough. Life goes on. would be notably diminished and living So as not to remain submissive or would become lighter. marginalized, one must enter with awareness into the process of change in our If we could then also be deeply rooted in the own time, and requested by the Institute precious inheritance received, strengthening and the educational mission and to our identity and charismatic within an strengthen personal, charismatic identity, unchanging succession of days and and making firm the roots of our personal generations, in the dizzying coming and history and heritage, that we as FMA, have going of today so marked by great and inherited attractive possibilities, as also by violence,

It is also useful to know that, because of the lacerations, contradictions, and shadows of plasticity of our brain, change is possible, death, we could still plant the fruitful seeds especially if one keeps exercising resilience, of our heritage, make them blossom and i.e., the ability to respond constructively to bear fruit for joy and our life, for young changes and also if the structures favor it. In people, and for all humanity. Then Mother's addition, having been able already to make dream-wish-proposal: to give a new breath various changes, we are reassured that we and more openness in our communities, can still do so. Given the fact that the and would become reality.

Culture

The Highest Passion

Faith is the highest passion of every person. "For it is with the heart that one believes ... There are probably many people in every and with the mouth that one makes the generation who do not arrive at it, but no profession of faith” (Rom 10:10). The heart one goes beyond (cf. S. Kierkegaard). indicates that the first act by which one

comes to faith is God's gift and it is the Mara Borsi action of grace that acts and transforms the

person in his/her most intimate part. I stand at the door and knock, says the

Book of Revelation. God tears through our Professing the faith is a journey of life: it is loneliness, setting himself as the first on the trust, abandonment to the Revealer and roads of history, weaving a dialogue that is Redeemer, it means entrusting ourselves to first of all the revelation of his being and of him, to his fatherly arms. Faith, therefore, his life. At the beginning there is the love of has an aspect of risk, the giving of self in God that challenges us personally. Reached the knowledge that the mysterious horizon of God is much higher than ours. by his gratuity, we respond with our freedom Faith involves the whole person in his/her that could generate either rejection or entirety, and therefore also includes social consent. choices and visible attitudes; it produces Belonging is precisely faith, grasping the structures, and is expressed in rituals and hand of God that is offered to us while we traditions. are immersed in the limitation of our being The endless thread of faith, which began with the dawn of human history, seems to creatures or we are sinking in sin. have become more and more slender Significant, in illustrating this irruption of the during our day, however, the words of Jesus continue to echo: "Have faith in God, and divine in us, with all its efficacy, is the also believe in me" (Jn 14 , 1). parable of the seed planted in the ground that was narrated by Jesus (Mk 4:26-29). Testimony:"Rooted and Founded in The farmer, watching or sleeping, is not Christ, firm in the faith" (cf Col 2, 7). decisive for the seed’s growth, because on These are the words of the Apostle that its own it generates a stem, and then an ear motivate young people to live their lives based on faith in Christ Jesus full of grains of wheat. Faith is recognizing that there is an invisible presence that Soon we will have the opportunity of living a operates in history; it is joyfully welcoming new World Youth Day in Rio de Janeiro. the gift that makes us live the existence of Personally I have had the joy of new life. participating, as a member of a welcoming community, that of Madrid in August 2011. There is profound unity between the act by We have all seen the great gestures, both which we believe and the content to which on the Salesian playgrounds full of young we give our assent. The apostle Paul allows people of the Salesian Youth Movement us to enter into this reality when he writes: (Atocha and Carabanchel), and at the vigil held in Cuatro Vientos. But there are other only in this way can we require from young gestures that speak more forcefully, they people the coherence necessary to be are those of intimacy, those of silence, Christians today, and to continue to go those that took place when the doors closed forward with them, always firmly rooted in and the lights were extinguished. These Christ Jesus. showed the greatness of our faith and that of the young people. Major events help us see what exists but is not always visible. In Spain we complain because of the lack of young people at Sunday celebrations; we are living a period of drought with regard to vocations to the consecrated life; the crisis of values strikes above all those who must choose a direction for their lives.

In this difficult context, however, in the great events promoted by the Catholic Church thousands and thousands of young people fill the parishes of big cities to joyfully demonstrate their explicit choice for Christ. They cry aloud everywhere that the Christian proposal is attractive, and it is worth living today.

Although there are still families that are true communicators of the faith, especially thanks to grandmothers, for some time now that in Spain we have been working with children and young people who hear about God for the first time in school or at the meetings of study groups . In recent years, I have had the opportunity of meeting young people who live their faith and express it in concrete actions. Almost everyone has the support of their family, and this encourages them to move forward in their choice of faith. There are others who Faith is the rock that does not fear have found God after a time of separation the winds and the storms of life. and seeking, and still others who have But it is also the wings made a serious choice after receiving the for those who decide to fly high. sacrament of Confirmation or when they Faith is the anchor that gives security were invited to participate in practical in moments of doubt service. We have in our hands the possibility of and uncertainty. making proposals. Faith is not a reality to But it is also the sail that allows one to be lived in private, only in the heart, even to take off. though the politics of almost all western Faith is taking a chance on life nations try to make it so. Faith is expressed here, now, forever through service to others, in our daily choices. It is precisely here that educators are called to be true witnesses, because

Pastoral-ly

Neither Program nor Content, but a Map

M. Borsi, P. Lionetti, A. Mariani

person who opens freely to another, to God, How are we to think about the itineraries who calls him/her. It is the meeting of two of Education to the Faith in the time of freedoms in dialogue. An itinerary simply the Net? Linear or networked? presents a few constants and fundamental Many say that we are in the time of the references that help to discern at all times short story and not the novel. the challenges and opportunities that are present, and cares for the integrity and We understand that we have to plan in a coherence of the answers, the steps to be different way, but it is difficult to pass taken and those already carried out. from insight to operation. This is both the richness and weakness of a program of education to the faith. An itinerary is not a fully developed program ready to be implemented, with content to be Becoming a Christian transmitted and assimilated passively: it is a "reference map" guiding the way to go in the The current practice of the Church tends to first person, according to possibilities and take up again the model of Christian different situations. The stages in which it is Initiation and the catechumenate to describe articulated have complementary aspects "becoming a Christian." Thus is manifested that often must be developed the profound change of the situation in simultaneously, with different intensities and which today’s Church must achieve its priorities mission: from a context characterized by The itinerary lived with the mentality of the Christian values in which education to the map or the network helps keep sight of the faith took place in the family and in the whole, even if looked at in the immediate, social environment itself to in an treating different aspects of the complete increasingly secularized and pluralistic picture, even if one pays attention to detail, society in which the option of faith does not integrating different interventions, so that find support either in the environment or in they enrich each other and promote social institutions. dynamism and transformation in people and groups with whom one is acting. In this situation, in many ways quite similar The danger lies in forgetting that in to that of the first Christian communities, education, especially education in the faith, becoming a Christian is not a natural the main character is not the educator or the process deeply embedded in socialization, teacher who instructs or forms, and even but a personal option that is developed in less the program or the catechism, but the the context of a change of mentality and conduct, and in an apprenticeship of life

through the guidance and constant

confrontation with a Christian community The itinerary, which should not be a rigidly Minds, heart and hands pre-established outline, but a guideline to be followed along with an open-minded , Attention to young people living in an flexible mentality, is a pedagogical tool environment of indifference and through which it develops and lives the spirit superficiality, with a negative, prejudicial and purpose of Christian initiation, i.e., the concept of the Church and of the Christian initiative of God who calls and the Spirit that faith demands of us as evangelizers, the precedes us and opens our hearts to the proposal of a specific itinerary that will help Word, the centrality of a first proclamation them develop the religious dimension of that leads to a personal encounter with their existence, re-awakening in them a Jesus Christ and to conversion, the concept sense of God and, in this way, will open of faith as a vital relationship in response to them and make them available for the the gift of God. The itinerary is called to proclamation of the first evangelization. respond to an anthropological, integrally It is therefore essential to propose pedagogical vision that takes into account experiences that will help them to assume the challenges of the "digital world" and that human attitudes that are the basis of surpasses a dualistic vision, by which faith openness to God (inner life, knowing how to is conceived as an alternative or addition to enter into themselves, the capacity for reason, or the human as different, if not silence, listening to self and others in opposed to the Christian. depth), the capacity for admiration and wonder at the good, the beautiful, a sense of gratuitous service, and solidarity...

Another element to be considered attentively in this proposal is a critical and systematic religious formation that illumines the mind and develops the search for meaning, this together with the practice of “nearness” : educate to communication and sharing, participation and responsibility, to giving, gratuitous service and to solidarity. Through these steps, which are already the beginning of a true path of evangelization, the person becomes open to listening to the proclamation and responding to it positively. Especially when it is animated and accompanied by a Christian community that bears witness to its proximity and its sincere desire to communicate life and meaning. Identity, Love and Future, such as educational choice, could be the areas of practical intervention from which to start to plan the itineraries to education to the faith in the context of contemporary culture, in the logic of the map. In Motion

Young People in Brazil for WYD per la "Youth Evangelizing Youth” and the GMG. celebration of the SYM world celebration that will take place on July 24 with the Sr. Elizabeth Pastl Montarroyos FMA is participation of young people from around responsible for the Salesian Youth the world. Movement of Brazil (MGS). We asked her how the young people of her country are These are days of great expectation, prayer, preparing for the big event of World Youth organization, deepening the theme of World Day that will takes place this July in Rio de Youth Day, and the study the documents of Janeiro. the Institute and of the Church, and the words of the Pope. This is a time of joy, How are the members of the Salesian with the opportunity for meeting many of the Youth Movement of Brazil living this time SYM who are living the same Salesian of preparation for WYD? spirituality and will be in Rio.

The Salesian Youth Movement in Brazil is “Many of the SYM are also included in the living this time of preparation for World preparation and welcoming of other young Youth Day with great commitment and people who will participate in the days hope. Many young people are involved in leading up to the encounter, i.e., the the working groups in preparation for the missionary week before the WYD, carrying World Youth Day activities and the meetings out the great appeal that the pope has that will take place during those days, such made to us "Go and make disciples of all as the continent meeting of SYM America nations. " July 18 to 21 with the theme What does it mean for young Brazilians This implies the need to cultivate a closer to have this opportunity to meet others? relationship with Christ, aware that the true meaning of life lies in beginning anew from It means an opportunity to realize the call him, realizing a true encounter with his that Jesus continues to offer us: "Go out to person, becoming disciples and the world and make disciples of all nations" missionaries who are learning from the with practical gestures of welcome and joy Master's true dignity and fullness of life. for the meeting, becoming missionaries among other young people. It is a wonderful As part of the days there will be a world experience to feel the joy of a great family meeting with all the young people of the that shares the same ideal of proclaiming Salesian Youth Movement...What Jesus to all the young people of the world. message would you like to send them?

The AJS / SYM are a "place" of life Every Christian is a missionary and has to experience and of faith for young people. It make his life a mission, proclaiming the gives them the opportunity to live in Gospel of joy to the world. Young people solidarity, to reflect on the meaning of their are the letter of Christ written to be known own life, which must be accepted and given by other young people. for the good of others. It is an opportunity to deepen Salesian Youth Spirituality because The theme of the day is "Go and make they perceive it daily as a privileged place of disciples of all nations!" How relevant is encounter with themselves, with others and this for the youth of Brazil today? with God, certain that in joy and fulfilling their mission one lives in holiness. The theme of the World Youth Day is Following in the footsteps of Don Bosco and relevant because we are called to holiness Mother Mazzarello the MGS favors the and to be missionaries in our own reality. creation of interest groups where every While we welcome this invitation, we accept young person experiences of personal Jesus in our lives. Starting from the call we growth and maturity in the faith. are led to conversion, discipleship, communion, the fundamental precepts to become missionaries, and to sow the joy Is there is a growing identity among and love of being Christians. young people of belonging to the Answering the call of Jesus means Salesian Youth Movement? participating in Jesus' life, collaborating with him in building a better world. In the With the commitment of preparation for footsteps of the master, the disciple WYD a sense of identity and belonging to assumes the centrality of the commandment SYM grows more and more each day. This of love in his/her life, and is brought to gives us the actual idea of our confront his/her ethical and religious implementation of Youth Ministry. It invites attitudes, with the attitudes of Jesus, us to live out our Christian life of assuming the centrality of the commitment and giving to our neighbor, commandment: "Love one another as I facing life as a project commissioned by have loved you.” God, and discerning this project in the complexity of today's world. GO AND MAKE DISCIPLES OF ALL NATIONS !

Matthew 28,19

Interview with Rachael Chadwick

and April Cabaccang

Debbie Ponsaran

Rachael is a past pupil of the Salesian Sisters in Liverpool, England. She is the deputy head teacher of a primary school and a volunteer of VIDES UK.

April is an aspirant and lives with the FMA in Ontario, Canada. She attended the Salesian parish in Surrey, British Columbia, Canada. friendship with Jesus and Mary, so that when they pass through the storms of life, this will In what way has the teaching and example of keep them firm in their faith. Salesian goodness guided your life? What responses can the Salesian charism give to the young of today? Rachael: When I think back to the days when I went to secondary school I have good Rachael: Contrary to popular belief, young memories. St. John Bosco High School in people are also open to spirituality and often Liverpool was a community with a strong sense thrive in roles where they serve others. of family. Education in a Salesian school means Throughout the years, we have had countless much more than just academic success. I was Salesian role-models who have shown us how to accompanied on a journey of spiritual and accompany the young as they journey through social growth. If am the person I am today, it is life. I have a strong desire to pass on what I have because the Salesian Sisters whom I met over received. In fact, I often find myself thinking back the years were never too busy or too tired to to Salesian Sisters who made a difference in my invest time in me. After school I continued to life and ask, “what would she do in this work with the Sisters as a volunteer of Vides of situation?”. The answer usually comes quickly – the United Kingdom, and this took me to Italy, make them know they are loved/trusted/valued. the Philippines, Kenya and various parts of the UK. April: Those who had been touched by the Salesian charism are ready to speak and learn April: I grew up in a parish run by the Salesians the language of the youth to proclaim the Truth of Don Bosco in Surrey, and I was amazed by in all ways necessary. In Don Bosco Centre, their kindness to young people. They were Markham, we have programs for young adults always there for us and gave us the opportunity of Greater Toronto Area such as Retreats, to grow in our spiritual lives, to develop our Catechism, Volunteerism, Discernment and talents, dedicating whole evenings to meetings Accompaniment Program, and Vocation or sitting for hours in the confessional. The Ministry. I am a witness to the creative ways parish was like a second home for many young that the Salesian Sisters in Canada use reason, people. Now I want to give back to young religion and loving-kindness to give guidance to people the loving kindness I received. I want to the youth, helping them find God in everyday introduce them to life and share His goodness to others.

Walking the Talk

Memory and Communication

Maria Antonia Chinello

Memory is one of the categories used to in this era of a rapid succession of data, interpret the communication process; it is news and updates ... almost plunged into an the act of insuring transmission, in time and eternal present. As memories become in space, of the most significant elements of more technological, they remind us of a " a culture, thus contributing to building a historicity mediated " by machines and community of belonging, and social equipment, which outperform traditional cohesion. forms of memory, one spontaneous, like At the root of this plan is the need of the direct oral transmission between community to represent events, myths and generations, anothere traditions in order to get to know them (and make them known) at the deepest level. institutional, of the great educational What is the relationship between memory, agencies. The newer generations seem to personal history, story and traditions of be "without memory", with little interest in people in a time that races by and rapidly history. And, at the social level, we debate changes? Do we have little, too little between hypertrophy (exaggerated memory, or on the contrary, do we possess informational and historical narrative) and much, even too much? Do we run the risk of atrophy (limited knowledge and sense of the losing the memory and depriving ourselves past). of the story? Memory and personal and social identity Media and Social Memories We cannot do without memory. It is Photographs, diaries, notes, bank accounts, necessary to define who we are as audio, video, files scattered among tablets, individuals, as a community. Every era has laptops, mobile phone and the Internet. its own means to set the memory, to store Our life, having become more and more the facts, and to pass on the experience. digital, is scattered about in bytes. We think Today, television, cinema, radio, print, of the digital as something "immaterial", but Internet, can expand or restrict the in reality it is very real, and requires the opportunities of memory. The fact that today occupation of the spaces of memory. we know the past almost entirely thanks to the vision of the products of the media We live in fear of losing our cell phone; we industry (documentaries, films, audio- duplicate files for fear that a power failure or visuals), with the participation in remote something unexpected will erase them or events and happenings limit access to them, or prevent us from (telecommunications, webcams, video accessing personal data; we experience the conferencing, etc.) and always less through worry about "everything" that needs to be an encounter with eyewitnesses and documented, archived and made available listening to oral narratives, is not without consequences with respect to the mechanisms of the construction of identity * The risk of new forms of discrimination and memory. based on the ability to access the knowledge that digital technologies offer. A There have been repercussions with certain technological apartheid suggests respect to the sense of generational that if on one hand the technology seems to continuity, to feeling more or less a sense of be the bearer of new democracies, freedom belonging to a specific community with its of speech and action (on the past and traditions, to the relationship between present), and on the other it also precludes, individual memory and collective memory. in some cases, access to knowledge (and Memory and education the past ) to those who are not able to use it. From where shall we begin so as to educate the memory and history on the basis of The Institute is a living memory, a today’s experience? "dangerous memory". Our vocational experience is inserted in the furrows traced * The past fragmented into media out by those who preceded us in salvation segments, is not in condition to provide a history, and by generations of Sisters who, representation of the history as a linear in different ways and at different times, process and to define a sense of historical made a covenant of love with Jesus, depth anchored to an origin or fixed points, devoting themselves like Don Bosco and because the memories are constantly Maria Domenica Mazzarello, to the mission subjected to processes of rewriting and of "evangelizing by educating" In the expansion through the unremitting Furrows of the Covenant, 5). production of new versions, the articulations of history and reciprocal cross-references "Walking the talk" then, at this time means educating ourselves means to recovering a * The logic of constantly being sense of history and memory to overcome a overwhelmed, the daily inexhaustible global, planetary, vision which is likely to be practice that accompanies the acceleration made of this present one, an infinite "here of time and continuous change, together and now", more or less ruled by a Big with the dynamic model of constructing the Brother type of media, and to giving to data generated from time to time by the future user, highlights the fragility and vulnerability generations of memory, since the Internet today the “dream” possesses perhaps, the broadest that has warehouse of knowledge, an unstable fascinated us: archive, which is reshaped day by day, on that young the basis of the updates that its producers- people may users build. It is a space subject to have life in continuous transformation, unable to abundance, provide guarantees with respect to the and will be permanence of the data "as is" ,as they happy here were originally produced. and in eternity.

Women in the Context

Women at the Service of the Kingdom Bernadette Sangma

Mary Getui, woman, mother of three children, and a professor in the department ourselves to be challenged by community of Religious Studies of the Catholic issues. We thus overcome running the risk University of East Africa, is a member of of remaining in the abstract, seeking, EATWOT, Ecumenical Association of Third instead, to go beyond to grasp God’s story World Theologians, where she has been African coordinator since 2010. She has the fabric of human life on the human, also belonged to the Circle of African individual, and collective level. Theologians since 1989. She has been president of the National Council for the In everything we always keep in mind a control of AIDS in Kenya from 2009 to the proverb of the Akans, an ethnic group of present. Ghana: "In order to fly, a bird needs two wings." We are always aware that, as we Mary Getui is a woman who is highly talk about the role and potential of women, committed on the academic level in the we must not forget the human, development of thought in dialogue between complementary wing formed by men, and science and faith, but she is capable of that society needs both women and men to direct contact with the people, especially build the Kingdom of God. We women, with the women. whether or not we are theologians, can be exemplary in this recognition, since we live What is the specific contribution of in a society that often only exalts only the theologians in the proclamation of the male. Kingdom of God? You said:: "Every woman is a theologian Theologians, first of all, can operate on the because, in general, women are very academic level or in the service of ministry spiritual." Can you explain? in the Church, and for life. On the academic level, with the group of the Circle of African One cannot help but notice the particular Women Theologians, we carry out a spiritual imprint that exists in the soul of reflection that questions the culture vis a vis women. For example, we can see that it is the daily life and how it contributes to the mainly women who participate in religious fullness of life. The basis of this approach celebrations and liturgical celebrations. It is lies in the definition of the Kingdom of God not only a matter of presence and/ or as the promotion, protection, and participation, it is the manifestation of their appreciation of life which, among other great desire to relate to the Absolute. In things, is what we see in the Gospels. Africa, women, especially those of my Therefore we are a necessarily a bridge mother's generation, are highly rooted in between the academic and the actual life. traditional cultural practices, they live In this, one of the strategies we most completely in the attitude of prayer, and frequently use is group work where we allow see God in every event of life. Their confidence in God is rooted especially in times of great difficulty and trial. In situations of war and great calamities, which are not lacking in Africa, it is they who do not surrender. They are the moving force that continues to generate society, and without them, it would be extinguished.

Generating, for women, is something natural, because as mothers they participate in the mystery of co-creation with God. In Africa there are women who have become great producers of foodstuffs. The UN statistics tell us that in Sub Saharan Africa 80-90% of foodstuff are produced and sold by women. They are the ones who sustain the survival of other family members frequently preferring it to their own. To sum up, we could say that women are always at the service of life in communion with the Life, Christ. If we think that “to theologize” means to understand God on the basis of His revelation in the Bible and in life, women who cling to God in the ordinary, daily events of life, inspired and sustained by His Word, they are true and proper theologians. They are practicing theology for life, with life, and through life.

As a theologian, how would you read the selection from Matthew 13, 33: “The and wisdom these cannot be replaced. In kingdom of heaven is like yeast, that a fact, I believe that as far we women can be woman took and mixed in three professional, there is a privilege of divine measures of wheat flour so that all would origin which we cannot forget, that of be leavened ”? becoming mothers. This privilege gives us the opportunity to bring the leaven of the The fact that Jesus used a female image to represent the Kingdom of God merits Word to the human mass of our children specific consideration. At the time of Jesus, from an early age. Being mothers makes us bread was prepared for family consumption become teachers, judges, referees. We by the women. Of interest is the fact that usually, in the Old Testament, yeast was considered to be the corruptive element. Jesus, however, compares it to the Gospel message. In fermenting the mass of humanity, Jesus values the role of women and wisdom

Music From one tree Hill to O.C.: Launching pad for new singers

The first TV show that really brought home Music in Teen-Dramas to the musical world the opportunity to climb Mariano Diotto the charts thanks to a few seconds of a song was in 2003: One Tree Hill. The “You know, Jake, all music ends…but is that strangest thing was that the central theme any reason not to listen to it? » (From one was that of basketball and the lives of young tree Hill) adolescents in their early stages of discovery of the world, of feelings, of The combination of television and music emotions. Music, however, took on a has always been successful and productive leading role within the series, both on in for both. All the television stations in the terms of plot and in the transitions from world devote a part of their schedule to scene to scene. In fact, at the end of every music and in 1981 MTV was born, the first episode a few scenes were joined together television program dedicated entirely to and the song, usually played in its entirety, music. Since its debut it has succeeded in helped to link together situations that were influencing young people, and even in apparently unconnected. Four compilations dictating fashions and mass culture, but the were made that scaled the American charts. crisis in the music industry has brought TV Over the seasons, different characters were channels to differentiate their programming introduced, such as Mia Catalano who in by including television films and programs reality was the lead singer, Kate Voegele, that do not refer only to music .This already who moved ahead, in parallel time with the happened precisely at the birth of this story, her singing career. Kevin Federline combination of television and music. had the same opportunity in the role of Jason, and also for Bethany Joy Lenz who In 1982 NBC, the noted American Channel, played the part of Haley James Scott. Much decided to produce a TV program that had luck led to the signing of this TV show as its story line music and adolescents: entitled I Don't Want To Be, written and Fame. The TV program took its inspiration interpreted by Gavin De Crow who owed from the motion picture of the same name his success to these TV transitions. and developed the theme of adolescent life within the television genre called teen In the Teen drama O.C. use of the music drama (TV movies for adolescents with lead was awesome, and the 7 compilations roles played by adolescents) was born. The always reached first place on the hit parade stars of the first series cut different of the whole world, bringing also the recordings with the songs of the series that affirmation of the Phantom Planet authors climbed to the top of the charts, and were under the symbol of the group California. In also driven by TV appearances. From then the ninety-two episodes more than 500 on the road was open, and there has been a songs, though played only for a few race on the part of record producers to have seconds, served to characterize the an appearance of even a few seconds in a emotions and events of in the lives of the teen drama because it guaranteed sure young leads. sales. The Arrival of High School Musical and protagonists in an episode: Madonna, Glee Britney Spears, Ricky Martin, Gloria Estefan, Josh Groban, Olivia Newton John, The turning point in the marriage of music Whitney Houston have already succeed. and teen-drama took place thanks to the movie High School Musical that invaded What are the so called teen-dramas? the airwaves of songs written especially for The teen dramas are TV programs that adolescents and with the central theme of have as protagonists adolescents and their music. Thanks to this success, Disney, Fox family and scholastic adventures. The TV in 2009 began production of Glee. This genre came into being with the TV program show tells the story of boys and girls in high Happy Days and found the peak of its school that are part of the singing group success during the 80’s with the called Glee Club who are very talented but transmission of the weekly serial of Beverly considered "uncool" or “losers” by other Hills 90210. The success of this type of students who are cheerleaders or football program led to the themed TV channels players. Obviously here the music becomes such as The CW The ABC Family, Disney the central idea, not only for the original Channel in the United States in which authors of the songs, but for the actors programming is directed exclusively toward themselves who reinterpret the songs in adolescents. have a special role to play in their own way. The TV broadcasters society and in the Church. The passage actually signed a contract with the largest from Matthew quoted above emphasizes music distributor in the world, iTunes, by another element of which women can be a which the songs for sale were available a symbol. It is the element of patience. The few minutes after they were sung in the just yeast placed in the dough requires patient transmitted episode. This has created a waiting until the action of the transformation very strong interest on the part of record can take place. Women who are waiting for companies that were able to sell the original nine months for the gradual growth of life song and collect further proceeds from the are also able to await the action of the yeast sale of the song sung again by the of the Word in the hearts of their children protagonists of the show. and other people.

In the United States there is a competition among popular singers to become Camilla

HOME SWEET HOME

I'm sure you have guessed from my past considerations in recent months that the "home" got the better part of my attention, and I could not resist the temptation to the need to preserve things from damage indulge in a few more considerations, just to ...), it is the small flowering garden to which give my modest contribution to the reflection we dedicates the utmost care (under the on the next General Chapter. pretext that it is necessary to educate to First of all, Sisters, we finally have the beauty ...) it is the peace that reigns when courage to say it! There is a difference we finally find rest (the rest, obviously, that between a house and a home! we deserve!).

Not all dwellings are as we imagine them to In short, the HOME WITHIN THE HOUSE is be! There are houses that are palaces and that “very personal space” to which we houses that are huts, trailer houses and return after a hard day’s work, that “climate houses on stilts, houses that are barracks of intimate relaxation”, in which one restores and houses that are family homes…in short; the spirit, perhaps listening to the rosary there are houses for every taste! Apart from being recited on the radio or writing to a some minor differences, the houses are all friend. alike…they must be firmly planted on solid ground, must offer a covering under which And in my community, there are many of we can take shelter, must have an opening these Homes within the House! So much that allows for entering and leaving, and so so that I thought to myself: “But isn’t this the on…But in our communities there is a type home that evangelizes?”…And when I tried of house that has nothing to do with to ask explanations from my Sisters who ordinary dwellings… it is the Home within a thought they were on the right path a young House. Sister threw us for a loop saying: “Well, a Home within the House is when you are Many are tempted to take refuge In the offered a castle and you prefer to live in a Home within a House, and the reasons for dump!” doing so are many and sublime: in the Home within a House there is a room in Young and sassy! which we seek shelter (perhaps simply our bedroom...) there is the window shade that CAMILLA’S WORDS ! protects us from prying eyes (because we claim that the right to privacy be recognized ...) there is the polished floor to walk on in slippers (with the excuse that if the environment is not clean and tidy it will not make a good impression ...) it is the locked door to avoid unpleasant visits (justified by