Editorial

Faith that is Believable

We are about to conclude an event-filled year with its combination of hope and responsibility and dedication to the common preoccupation on a global level. And a good". “year of faith” has just begun, one that Benedict XVI hopes will arouse “in every The article Encounters highlights this in the believer the aspiration to profess the faith in life of Maria Domenica Mazzarello who “felt fullness and with renewed conviction”. in herself a strong desire to do good for girls, and an inner voice telling her to gather DMA offers some reflections on the urgency them, to instruct them in religion, teaching of giving depth and credibility to the faith them to flee from sin, and to practice virtue.” today. "Even we, consecrated women, It is important to rediscover in the Founders sometimes run the risk of remaining on the and re-activate today the total and exclusive margins, becoming accomplices in that belonging to the God of love, the faith in His attitude separating faith from life and real presence and closeness to us that makes problems," we read in one of the entries. us attentive and active in our gestures of The new evangelization calls for a journey love toward others. of faith that restores enthusiasm to the relationship with the Lord Jesus, the center From a survey among young people we see of a believer’s experience, the all- that what attracts and convinces them is the encompassing reference point in climate of the family spirit, friendliness, consecrated life. It is a relationship that listening, and relationship with educators inevitably opens us to others, and to the who teach them to pray. It is an educative service of young people. A environment where, through real models, concrete commitment to the cause of one favors a way of being alternative to person is required of us, because "a faith today’s dominant logic, that of the Gospel that does not make history is an empty faith, where one lives forgiveness, solidarity, it is a falsification of the inexhaustible gift of responsibility, and a sense of mystery. God who wants to meet the human person to free him/her, and to rebuild a new life, in ordinary situations ". Our tradition and the witness of many Sisters of yesterday and today are proof We are called to be "in the world without that credible faith is embodied in life: it is an being of the world", to enter into the heart of entrustment of charismatic hope for the problems and changes in society. The tomorrow Council indicates this to us in Gaudium et Spes when it urges Christians to "be aware of their vocation within the political community," and to "set an example by [email protected] developing in themselves a sense of

DOSSIER Responsible for the City of Mankind

Mara Borsi – Palma Lionetti

Young People and Politics...it is not a film!

There are many clichés we educators use to already been done, to regain and re-start describe the world of youth; it is a world for jammed mechanisms, but it is a time to which we are responsible. Young people, invent. This is the great challenge that like adults, do not care about politics, but young people are asked to deal with today: prefer to deal with other topics from reality to invent. As believers it is time to be open television, sports, and entertainment. They with availability to the source of truth that are always a bit “on the edge”, fixed before the Gospel still presents to all today. a reality that flows like a movie. But until we give back to young people the We, too, as consecrated women risk possibility to express what is bothering remaining on the margins of the them, politics cannot regain its order, conversation becoming accomplices in that nature, function, and capacity to enter into a attitude which separates faith from life and dimension of service to the person, to real problems with the excuse that the contemporary men and women. politics practiced by Don Bosco were those of the Our Father. The Question

Politics seems to be characterized only by What are the tasks, then of a youth ministry corruption, individual interests, and the like ours committed to life and hope? We pursuit of personal gain. deal with broadening our pastoral vision on the theme, i.e., promoting an educational The killer word is “disenchantment”. It is a interpretation that attempts to propose a term that is killing expressions on how to different approach, planning and acting in share, renew, and upgrade…This that space of action that is formation. widespread and persistent sentiment if likely to make us believe that it is virtually On the global level we are immersed in a impossible to get out of the crisis by seeking triple crisis: the economic crisis, the common and shared solutions. environmental crisis determined by over- consumption on the part of the present The individual routes, fluid or changing generation, and the crisis of the solutions, and existential floating prevail, constitutional dimension of politics. These and make us slide into the habitual. have only one common denominator: the absence of a future. That which we live is not a time for re-doing, re-making, returning to do things that have A common root, which in turn has an anthropological aspect, is the individualism, i.e., the absence, of a common purpose in society. Therefore, it becomes ever more itself to individualism and indifference. It is a great force from the motivational point of view that understands gratuitousness as a value, a relational good as a possibility of becoming an economic undertaking, of expressing the capacity to build true social ties.

How is it that this social richness does not always succeed in renewing politics? At times it seems relegated to a rhetorical exhortation, or at most to good witness. We need to understand, therefore, through a serious formation to responsibility and urgent to accompany a real citizenship, one experience how the question of ethics and that is planned, courageous, shared, and the meaning that the Gospel inspires it and aware. nourishes can become the energy capable of change, of political renewal, beginning Gratuitousness and Responsible from the language and actual behavior in Freedom…Words that make up Politics. life.

“We commit ourselves, we and no one else, Are gratuitousness and responsible freedom without pretense, to find a meaning to life. still words that are useful in politics? If We are not interested in making a career for “responsibility’ is produced when we take on ourselves, or in financial gain. We are the fact of wanting or not wanting the young at heart and fear mere cold consequences of our actions, similarly, documents and cold marble. We do not care “freedom” is produced when we take on the either be heroes or traitors be before men if fact of wanting or not wanting the same it costs us the fidelity to ourselves.” These consequences. This means that are the words that Fr. Primo Mazzolari, an responsibility and freedom both intervene in Italian considered to be the precursor our educational and pastoral actions, of Vatican II and prophetic voice that still especially if we become aware that the speaks to today, and were aimed at young world in which we live depends on our people in his writings of 1943: "Commitment desires. And if education does not push the to Christ." They call for a political young people toward responsibility and commitment that will not put in parenthesis freedom of being co-creators of the world in the value-motivation, which begins from the which we live, limiting their reflection, it passion, from the ideals of justice, peace, counts for very little. non-violence, and authentic fraternity. These are words that apply to every context So it was that Teresa Californi describes her and every continent. experience in this regard: “Thinking of responsibility frightened me because it Taking a leap to our present time, we find in meant taking on certain duties…moral, the different youth contexts, communities, Christian, family…All are commitments to social groups, families that commit be lived with enthusiasm and satisfaction, themselves to experience characterized by because only in this way can one give the solidarity that constitute that great, lively correct meaning to self, others and the life world of volunteering. It is an expression of that surrounds us. This is how people are that part of civil society that does not resign taught responsibility from the time they are More than ever does today’s situation indicate the Pastoral Constitution of Gaudium et Spes from Vatican Council II. All Christians must be aware of their own specific vocation within the political community. It is for them to give an example by their sense of responsibility and their service to the common good. In this way they are to demonstrate concretely how authority can be compatible with freedom, personal initiative and solidarity of the whole social organism , and the advantages of unity with fruitful diversity.

Responsibility-Our Shared Journey

How are we to restore to the word responsibility the positive meaning that encourages and sweeps away the uneasiness that arises? Perhaps this happens because it seems to come from a certain sense of guilt, of misfortune, from the feeling of having to pay with a loss of freedom, and suffering. small, in ordinary actions, to grow in a civic, Christian and moral sense. “Responsibility is the correct response generated by the recognition of a value. If I think of the word “responsibility”, in my Every authentic value is a gift from which mind there is an automatic negative springs that responsibility that is not a association, because culturally I live in a particular capacity since it is the expression socio-political reality in which …”it is better of freedom and uniqueness of the person. to avoid responsibility”, and certain As long as we limit ourselves to reacting to mechanisms trigger deviations from what what is happening, we are not free; we may be its civil, moral, and Christian become so when we give it an original commitments without thinking that this response. Responsibility is the capacity of "light" style does nothing but diminish one’s responding personally to life events, rather personality. Growing up, I learned that, on than to the other person who need me. the contrary, assuming obligations or duties, “Saying ‘I’”, writes Lévinas, means saying increases a co-participation in a social life in ‘here I am’. Waking to responsibility does which you become co-responsible for a not lead us to seeing only the ’you’ that I collective way favoring a "healthy active have before me, but also involves the leadership." recognition of a “third party” who is potential If I think of life at the oratory, I believe that it any other person. This excess should not has offered me many opportunities to have be read as though we were being asked to responsible experiences, not as duties to be become omnipotent, but it reminds us that carried out, but as the participation in a we cannot prioritize boundaries to our shared project. Only by the participation of responsibility, or accept the fact that others all in their commitments is it possible to are left outside of its beneficial results. glimpse a future from a new perspective.”

Therefore, responsibility is not a burden or a through conversations. Conversations, as static condition. It is the journey of the an intertwining of emotion and language, person who is becoming fully human, it s form and shape the world we live in as a the ongoing foundation of life in common, It world of possible actions. (...) must be able to be translated into education and political economy” (R. Mancini). Education and politics are interwoven activities in the flow of history in which In this perspective, it makes sense to speak adults do politics and young people are of interest for the common good, the educated in civic spaces that adults define, centrality of the human person, solidarity, generate or modulate with their political subsidiarity, and fidelity to values, a fidelity activities. So it is that adults educate young that knows how to communicate, to risk people, and young people, as adults, will brotherhood with those who are hostile. One educate young people who come after them line of thought followed in the Benedict (...). " XVI’s document Caritas in Veritate, to which we owe, first of all, something very By our way of living together we educate important thing: having overcome the now and give form to ways of different politics obsolete break between the economic that are understandable and shared by sphere and the social sphere. The principle young people. of fraternity proposed by the Social Doctrine of the Church as the basis for a good Women then, when they make everything society, it is considered by many to be as normal as possible for seeking with their inappropriate to the law of the market and minds and finding with their hearts with freedom, but seems to belong only to the passion, those signs that indicate where private sphere or to pure philanthropy. there is a more urgent need for intervention, become special, great, because they know From an educational point of view, moving how to put themselves in play in the first from fraternity to the common good person in giving a response of life and to the becomes an urgent commitment that future, in the sign of peace and democracy. translates the invitation of the Social Doctrine of the Church to propose an Joyce Hilda Banda is the new president of integral, pluri-dimensional humanism in Malawi. She has always been committed in which politics and the marketplace are not the battles for the rights of women and at 62 realities to be fought against or controlled, years of age became the first woman but important times in the public sphere president of South Africa and the second on which, if we think of them as a place open the whole continent after Liberia guided by also to the principles of reciprocity and gift, the Nobel Prize winner for Peace in 2011, could build the “city”. Ellen Johnson Sirleaf.

Witnesses of Good Politics An educator, who took a management course in , she has always been at the To the question “Why Educate?”?, forefront of civil rights, giving life, even Humberto Maturana (Santiago de Chile) before she entered politics, to a foundation responds by saying that it is perhaps to in her name for children in difficulty. During produce co-existence between adults and his first government, Bingu wa Mutharika, young people that weaves education and first appointed her to the Ministry of Welfare politics in that game made up of emotions and then as Foreign Minister. In recent and language that is daily life. “Human years her popularity has increased to the existence takes place in the sphere of point of strongly emotional relationships, of overshadowing the family of the former “conversing”. We build ourselves, educate president who aspired to a handover of a ourselves and act in the political space dynastic type of government. The transition, instead, is beginning to bear fruit in a very resolution of conflicts. It has headquarters in peaceful manner. Accra and Ghana. It has been part of the commission for truth and reconciliation She was able to remove the central bank network in Liberia and through the of governor, Perks Ligoya, and replaced him Women in Peace building Program and had with deputy governor Mary Nkosi; the head spread its network of women interested in of radio and television public Bright Malopa, peace throughout western Africa. was replaced by Benson Tembo, a former diplomat, and the Ministry of Information Tawakkul Karman, a Yemenite, is 33 years Patricia Kaliati Kunkuyu with old and in her country is considered to be Kunkuyu, deputy of the ruling party. "Banda “the mother of the revolution” because of has the task of immediately addressing the her role as a militant pacifist for civil rights, problems of poor people” - says Bishop a task that for some time has seen her in Msusa, head of the diocese of Zomba, the front lines asking for an end to the “where the new president was born 62 presidency of Ali Abdullah Saleh, who has years ago and in which she left the most been in office since 1978 and is known for important signs of her commitment to help his dictatorial style. She is the first Arab orphans and children in need. To do so well, women in history to find herself the recipient in a spirit of dialogue and genuine of the Nobel Prize. In 2005, Tawakkul reconciliation , she will have to know how to Karman founded the association of Women listen even to those who think differently,. " Journalists Without Chains, in defense of freedom of the press and of expression. Ellen Johnson Sirleaf is president of Liberia Often arrested for her protests in favor of and the first woman to be head of a modern freedom and democracy, at the beginning of African nation. Born in Monrovia on this year she became a point of reference October 29, 1938, she studied economics in for the demonstrations which with her, in the her own country, and in the United States at public squares, call for a democratic the Kennedy School in Harvard, where she participation in the management of life in the earned a Master’s degree in public country. Tawallul dedicated the Nobel Prize administration. In politics since 1997, she to the Arab Spring. was elected president in 2005 and has dedicated herself to the reconstruction of Joyce Hilda, Ellen, Leymah,and Tawakkul her country that had been do devastated by women who have received the Nobel, but it long years of war. Always attentive to the is because of their capacity of remaining in advancement of women, she founded a difficult context and at the heart of their Mesuagon, an NGO devoted to the complicated realities that they have become education of young women and to the and still are leaders. They are women who development of the community, and she listen to the struggles and hopes of their takes part in the initiatives that study the people, the symbol and message also for us impact of war on the lives of women and in the rights of every woman for freedom their role in the construction of peace. from every form of violence and abuse, of the right to live life to the full. Leymah Gbowee , 39, another Liberian peace activist, in 2002 founded Women of Liberia Mass Action for Peace, a movement Politics also,, despite the current crisis, has that unites Christian and Muslim women in a its martyrs. Men and women who have the non-violent struggle. Untiring in the defense courage of coherence and honesty, who of women’s rights, she is the executive know how to fight for their rights and director of Women’s Peace and Security freedom. Network Africa, an association that fights to support women in the prevention and “Every day before going to work, he sat on a Co-existence Based on Civil Friendship small rug, took the Bible and prayed for about half an hour.” It is Paul speaking of 390 The profound meaning of civil and his brother Shahbaz Bhatti, minister for religious minorities in Pakistan, brutally political life does not arise immediately murdered last year. On the blood of from the list of personal rights and Shahbaz, Pakistani society torn by conflicts duties. Life in society takes on all its of all kinds, hopes to give rise to a budding significance when it is based on civil peace. Catholic of modest origins, Shahbaz friendship and on fraternity…Civil Bhatti always worked for dialogue between Muslims and the Christian minority in friendship understood in this way is the Pakistan, a victim of the climate of most genuine actualization of the intolerance. The blasphemy law, shows that principle of fraternity, which is one can be sentenced to death even for inseparable from that of freedom and trivial reasons, is exacerbating the situation. equality.[793] In large part, this principle has not been put into practice The imam of Lahore, a personal friend of in the concrete circumstances of Shahbaz said recently: "The worst mistake modern political society, above all of my Muslim brothers is the instrumental use of a law that has been made actually because of the influence of only to create respect for what is sacred. I individualistic and collectivistic struggle and talk every day, even with the ideologies.(Compendium of the Social imams of the other cities so that they Doctrine of the Church) understand that the real blasphemy is to kill one’s own brother. "

The figure of Shahbaz Bhatti left a mark in [email protected] the country. Bishop Coutts in an [email protected] interview said that Shahbaz was a great witness of Christian coherence and described him in this way: "A faithful Christian, a person of great human capabilities , a good man, but also a great patriot. He firmly believed in the redemption of his people and in the peaceful coexistence of believers of different religions. " He was a lay martyr, a hero of the faith in which he had taken up his political role for the sake of the poor and the persecuted. Not surprisingly, the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Pakistan asked the for the immediate opening of his cause of

Encounters seen from his affirmation: “It was impossible Comparing Two Vocations to get that dream out of my mind.”

Carla Castellino The personage in the dream called him by name, entrusted him with a mission, and In the Old Testament vocation stories were indicated the manner in which he was to live grouped according to a particular, fixed it: "Not with blows, but with gentleness and model. There was usually an introduction, charity you will have to win these friends of followed by the mission that God was yours. Begin then to teach them about the entrusting to the person being called. The ugliness of sin and the preciousness of person called normally put forth an objection virtue. " to God’s proposal, but the Lord responded and resolved the difficulties. Johnny reacted with a succession of questions, wanting a clear explanation: Something similar happened to Johnny "Who are you, that you command me to do Bosco and Maria Domenica. the impossible? Where and how I can acquire knowledge? But who are you to be What did God do before creating the talking like that? My mother told me not to world? associate with those whom I do not know "What did he do? He contemplated himself; without her permission, so tell me your He loved himself and was blessed in name. " Himself."1 To this the answer to little Main The mysterious Person responded to the from her father more could have been various objections and indicated solutions: added: "He was thinking of you and the “Precisely because such things seem Institute that you would have co-founded for impossible to you, you must make them the salvation of many young people; He possible through obedience and with the thought of how to form your heart and how acquisition of knowledge. I will give you the to align it with that of Don Bosco.” teacher under whose discipline you can Our Constitutions tell us: “In His wonderful become wise, and without whom every Providence God gave Don Bosco a heart as wisdom becomes foolishness.” He then great as the sands of the seashore[...] In revealed his identity: “I am the son of her the same divine plan God enkindled the whom your mother taught you to greet three flame of the experience of apostolic charity times a day. Ask my mother for my name.” in St. Maria Domenica Mazzarello” (C2) Maria then presented herself in beauty and This is your field splendor; she took John by the hand to reassure him, and told him of the specific How much the dream he had at 9 years of field of his mission: "Look, this is your field; age marked the life of Don Bosco can be it is where you have to work. Make yourself humble, strong and robust, and what we

see happening at this time to these animals,

1 Ferdinando MACCONO, Santa Maria D. Mazzarello Confondatrice e prima Superiora generale delle Figlie di Maria Ausiliatrice I, Torino, Istituto FMA 1960, 17. to go over that hill, and distracting herself did not help, neither did throwing herself into the growing activity ”.3

Gratitude and Responsibility

The dream of the nine years, and the "vision" of Borgoalto are there to indicate that the gift of charisma kept in the heart of you will have to do for my children. In time God allows for an eternity to travel through you will understand everything ...”2 space and time. It stopped at Becchi and at I Entrust Them to You Mornese, poor, unknown geographic locations. It began to knock at the heart of a In speaking of Maria Domenica Mazzarello nine year old boy and a young woman of Maccono tells us: “She felt in herself the 24, at a distance of time: 1824 for Johnny lively desire to do good for girls, and an and 1860-61 for Maria Domenica. It inner voice told her to gather them, instruct inflamed and nourished desires, found a them in religion, and to teach them to flee welcome, though without much awareness. from sin and to practice virtue.” This ardent It was clarified and deepened with the desire to give herself to others became passing of time in the choices that John stronger after the entrustment at Borgoalto: Bosco and Maria Domenica made in daily I entrust them to you. On that little hill a life and through the experiences of the mysterious presence made itself felt, and paschal mystery. Maria Domenica, filled with wonderment and a bit dismayed, saw something strange God acts gradually. He waits patiently, and new as she later said: “I saw a great preparing and creating harmony from a distance. house with all the exterior appearance of a He chooses those who do not matter much to the world, a boy who lost his father at an early school with many young girls.” Astonished, age, and a young woman weakened by typhoid. she asked: “What is this I see? But there He does not look at physical strength, but at a was never a building here. What is heart that is available and pure; he does not happening?” Then a voice, an entrustment, hesitate to entrust His love to young people and a mandate followed “I entrust them to you”, his thirst for salvation to littleness and human and this remained profoundly rooted in her frailty; His tastes are a bit different from ours. It heart. Then a voice, an entrustment, a was an entrustment destined to go beyond the mandate followed “I entrust them to you”, confines of the world, that has crossed our lives, and this remained profoundly rooted in her and demands our collaboration. God continues heart. The Cronistoria notes: “Since she to need us, our frailty to carry out His plan of love. His logic surprises us and fills our hearts was used to practicing self-control, Maria with gratitude and responsibility. quickly distanced herself from that place, but yes, those young people were always calling to her, especially every time she had

2 Cf San Giovanni BOSCO, Memorie dell’oratorio 3 CF Giselda CAPETTI, Cronistoria I, Roma, Istituto di S. Francesco di Sales dal 1815 al 1855, Roma, FMA 1977, 96-97. Editrice SDB, 22-25.

Cooperation and Development

CDEW with Women Toward the Fullness of Life

Anna Rita Cristaino

Throughout all of India the Daughters of of women through the promotion of self- Mary Help of Christians have chosen to awareness, social participation, education, alleviate poverty and promote literacy cultural,formatin, economic independence, through a campaign in which women and health care. acquire the basic abilities to make their lives Their attention is for women and their efforts more sustainable. The FMA have chosen are for sustainable development and the women as recipients because they hold the transformation of life conditions for the winning card to alleviate poverty and poorest members of the population. improve the standard of family life in terms of food, health care, and the instruction of The development center of the woman, called CDEW, is the official organization of children. Social Action of the FMA in the province. It was started in 2003 as a volunteer The state of Karnataka is located in the organization. Its mission is to build a society south-western tip of India with the capital based on love, brotherhood, solidarity, city of Bangalore. It is the third most highly economic improvement, and the populated city in India and one of the cities empowerment of women. of Asia that is fast becoming cosmopolitan. There are five strategies that CDEW The information technology industry is employs for the empowerment of women: prospering, but at the expense of the rural organization, instruction, economic self- populations. Only 28% of Bangalore is sufficiency, care of the person, and the located in the urban area, and the greater capacity to make decisions. Implementation part of its population is based on agriculture. of these strategies have brought good The economic and cultural difference results. Over the years the CDEW has become ever greater. The focus on successfully completed various projects and technology is at a high level with respect to programs: the formation and growth of the principles of the agrarian economy that about 700 Self Help Centers that form a given has two sides to the same city. The federation; programs for the generation of first is vibrant, innovative, and extremely income, the construction of houses, modern, showing the success of a nation in schools, and programs to promote literacy development. The second is that of people for poor children in three states reaching living on the margins, on the streets, with about 3000 children, prevention programs, huge differences in income with poor health, and information on HIV / AIDS. There has opportunities. also been the construction of more than 500 In the Province of Bangalore the FMA are wells for the collection of rainwater for the committed to the empowerment and poorest in Kanakakkunnu and Kattappana, transformation of the lives of women and programs for children excluded from school, children. They work for the dignity and rights and 10 000 persons recovering from alcoholism.

The CDEW has spread to 30 centers of the The extreme poverty is the reason why the three southern states of India: Andhra level of literacy in these slums is very low; it does not even reach 40%. The FMA Pradesh, Karnataka, and Kerala. The through self-help groups from the Auxilium centers deal with children, young people, Akhila Vikas Women Development Centre and women in communities of the most (AAWDC) began formation courses for with marginalized castes, which have a programs awareness, savings and population of four hundred thousand people. economy, and with micro-credit activities.

Ongole, a town located about 500 km from These self-help groups meet every week Bangalore, a former textile center in the and pool their collection of savings; they State of Andhra Pradesh, is one of the most carry out various social activities in their densely-populated areas where the FMA villages and participate in all shared began their social apostolate in 2003 among programs and celebrations organized by the the slum dwellers. The population that AAWDC. belongs to the poorest tribes and live in small thatched huts built in marshy places, Many of the experiences of these groups near a garbage dump. These children are can be seen on the DVD prepared by often deprived of the right to education and Missioni Don Bosco and the Department for are forced to do odd jobs to help their Social Communications that is already in families. our houses and is entitled United for A Better Society.

Building Peace

Women for Peace

Julia Arciniegas Martha Seide

1,325 women weavers of peace. This is the the story." "You can see the ruins of title of a publication of the “Center for houses, but you cannot see the ruins in our Education and Seeking for Peace” souls," she wrote recently from the Gaza (CEIPAZ), that presents seventy portraits of Strip. women, both known and anonymous, active promoters for peace in the world. ElLEEN KAMPAKUTA BROWN (Australia) We present a brief profile of a few of them, “Do not waste our land, do not waste our living on different continents. future.”

Eileen Kampakuta Brown is an Aboriginal AMlRA HASS (Israel) woman in Australia. She is one of the “My work is that of insuring the vigilance of founders of the Kupa Piti Kungka Tjuta, the power” Council of elderly Aboriginal people of Coober Pedy in South Australia, who has Amira Hass, an Israeli journalist born in struggled against the Australian Jerusalem, has chosen to show her Government's proposal to create a nuclear compatriots what is happening just a few km dump in the Australian desert. from their homes, a reality that many do not want to see. For years she has spent time "Say No to the radioactive dump on our in the Palestinian coastal strip and has ngura, on our land," is their slogan. "It is reported on life under siege. pure poison and do not want it!" "We, the She wanted to see and recount the women, we do not want money, we want life devastating effects of the bombs, gunfire, and earth for our children." and tanks. From there she wrote regularly Eileen and her older sisters have for her newspaper, one of the most understood that, to win the battle, they influential in the country. would have to face racial prejudice. "Israel knows that peace does not Therefore, they joined non-Aboriginal compensate," she titled one of her last women and fought together to protect the articles, and explained that the arms trade environment. They have shown that when would be severely affected, while the damage is common to all humanity, they resources and the land would be could and must work together. impoverished In the end, the Australian government Hass has been arrested several times by abandoned the project and Eileen was the police of her country, insulted by the given the Goldman environmental award. readers of her newspaper, and been "Take care of your land and the land will ordered to pay fines ... For her, winner of take care of you." It is the secret that prestigious awards conferred by UNESCO; Aboriginal women want to pass on to future journalism should focus "on the supervision generations. of the centers of power." Rather than being objective, she wants to be right. She was particularly concerned about the people, because it is the people "who actually write

ROSALlNDA TUYUC (Guatemala) Professor and scholar of Women's Issues "We rise from the ashes of the massacres and Social Policy at the University of Ulster to look for solutions." and researcher at the Institute of Justice, Monica is a co-founder of the Coalition of This indigenous Mayan woman began her Women in Northern Ireland. She is social work in the seventies with a group of committed as a representative of her young Christians. Ten years later the country and as head of the High military kidnapped and killed her father and Commission for Human Rights at the her husband, leaving her a widow with two national level (NIHCR). Her work has children. received several awards for Peace. Guatemala has suffered one of the longest Monica began to engage in politics at wars in Latin America, and was hit by the sixteen years of age. After working for 25 most serious human rights violations. "We years with different communities and continue to live in fear, persecution, and groups, she created the political party of threats. This situation has led us to organize women (NIWC), which she considered ourselves as indigenous women and to indispensable in order to achieve a lasting protect our children from forced recruitment, and stable peace. This party turned out to "said Rosalind. be an example of respectful and peaceful Proud of belonging to an ancient culture, coexistence, capable of dialogue and she is pleased to be working for a country of mutual listening. Her goal was to ensure 12 million people, more than half of whom that the fundamental principles of human are indigenous. She was nominated for the rights, inclusion and equality, were included Nobel Peace Prize in 2005. "We have in the negotiations for peace. Beginning with obtained good things for indigenous women, conflict, women were transformed into we are better organized, we know our agents of change and promoters of diverse economic, political and cultural rights , but proposals, i.e., to create integrated we still have problems to access to justice, community schools to educate Protestant and health care, and we are always and Catholic children together. exposed to discrimination," she adds with sadness in her eyes. Peace is possible even in difficult situations. "The culture of our people is a large reserve It is shown to us in the witness of these of humanity, even if it is not recognized by women. Let us accept their invitation and the western culture," she added firmly. It is strengthen our commitment to educate opposed to wars, consumerism, ambition, young people from all backgrounds to violence, and promotes values, respect, and solidarity. peace, noting that world peace is cultivated primarily in our hearts. It is a task that is MONICA McWILLIAMS (Northern Ireland) accessible to all. Cf "When a person is fixed in an unacceptable www.1325mujerestejiendolapaz.org; level of violence, then peace takes a long, www.ceipaz.org long time." [email protected] j.arciniegas@cgf

Arianna’s Line

Toward Wisdom

Maria Rossi of Cato the Elder of Senectute (44 BC), we In some tales from the past, we heard the read: "Life ... enriches all ages with their stories of individuals who, at a particular own qualities ... qualities that enable great time of life, decided to travel long distances enterprises are not strength, nor physical to meet a person who was considered to be agility nor speed [skills of youth], but rather wise and to get information about the wisdom, foresight and discernment. meaning of life or the solution to agonizing These are qualities not lacking in old age, existential dilemmas. Once there were which, on the contrary, it may widely make sages. Today, scanning through the pages use of… of newspapers and watching television, it seems that wisdom is a thing of the past. ". And, in the republic of Cicero’s , Not a day passes, in fact, that we do not the council of senators (= old), had a hear reports of scandals involving mainly decisive role in policy-making. people who hold economic, social, religious political power. What is wisdom? Who is wise?

Luckily, what the media presents is not the In the philosophical environment, ways of whole reality. Those who have had thinking about it are as many as there are personal experience and the capacity to ways of conceiving the supreme goal of perceive their spiritual depth, know that morality. On Internet sites one can find wisdom has not disappeared from the face various interesting definitions given by of the earth. It exists. It is enough to look philosophers throughout history. In the around ourselves or to leaf through the psychological sector, wisdom is held to be a pages of one’s own life to discover it. It has virtue, a psychic force manifesting itself in a the face of those who love us/or have loved kind of detached awareness and interest in us. Wisdom is a characteristic generally life, even in the face of death; it is a mature attributed to the elderly, although being understanding of life events and the world elderly does not always coincide with being expressed through balanced behavior and wise, and there may be glimpses of wisdom counsel ; it is the most advanced stage of even in those of other ages. Cicero human development.The wise person has considers wisdom a quality proper to age the capacity for a positive, detached outlook and the result of an austere and virtuous about themselves, others, and the world. life. In his interesting, though dated writing He/she feels responsible for life, creation, and all that exists, but still does not become anxious. They know how to take care of self without neglecting others, rather, they like to

make those who live with them or approach them, happy . They live normal situations with hope, joy, and pleasure, tending to a with the truth and constantly searches for it, quiet optimism and serene freedom.They though, as Niccolò Cusano said, “knowing are not insensitive; rather they suffer with that they will never really know it”. those who suffer, regardless of ethnicity, religion, or social status, and they do all Wisdom keeps us from self-absorption, they can to alleviate situations. They depression, bitterness, regrets, the inability appreciate attention, respect, and to grasp the positive aspects present in recognition, but they do not beg for it. people and events, and from the contempt Knowing what is good is good forever, they of others, which often is nothing more than do not stop, but continue to give a thinly-veiled contempt for self. It saves us independently, regardless of gratitude from the rejection of all that is not part of our received. own experience, from what is critical, short- sighted and negative, from continual When faced with a lack of respect, with complaining, and from bullying the weak, vulgarity , violence, stupidity, arrogance or from the fear of change and death. Erikson bullying, they might experience disgust, says that the virtue of wisdom preserves pain, or anger, and perhaps even a one from the despair that occurs mainly in momentary sense of disorientation. But the last stage of life, in many attitudes of they do not get too disturbed, create a disgust, and the inability to have great dramatic situation, nor do they stop. remorse. Despair is the attitude of those who, having thought only of self, did not A mature awareness of things of life and the generate, and now is aware of no longer world is the acceptance of one’s own having the time to do so. limitations and those of others that leads to great compassion. It is the internalization How do we reach it ? and reference to the great ethical values, a sense of trust in the mysterious Providence There are no easy recipes. Wisdom does that follows and protects every life even not depend on the level of one’s culture ; beyond death, enabling the wise person to having one or more degrees can help, but it face situations, to calling difficulties and can also be an obstacle. In re-reading the attitudes by name, to make relative what Memoirs of the Oratory of Don Bosco, as seems to be absolute and insurmountable, well as the Cato the Elder de senectute of to discern the positive, and with serene Cicero, and the lives of , even those clairvoyance, to find the right solutions considered to be socially "modest", one can and/or to give sage advice. Unlike those see how this characteristic is gained by who dispense advice to others who do not overcoming the difficulties in life through know what to do with it, makes choices dictated not by what is easiest or by recommendations only when asked, and, self-interest, but by the great ethical values often, instead of offering counseling, after of honesty and love for others. A life that is careful empathic listening, it guides people too easy and/or pleasurable, closed out of to find their own solution to that which preoccupation for personal well-being, distresses them. The wise person, though usually leads in this direction. not devoid of knowledge, is never satisfied From a psychological point of view, we with that knowledge going beyond what is come to wisdom by overcoming the crisis of on record. He/she is open, impassioned each stage of the life cycle, including the In old age, or in going toward this season of last one, old age. In the course of a lifetime, life, physical changes and even more the it is important to have a continual revision change of social status due to no longer and strengthening of one’s personal identity. being able to carry out prestigious roles or a profession that we struggled to prepare for, Personal identity is formed during could bring with it a painful crisis of identity, adolescence with the awareness and and the profound suffering of believing that acceptance of one’s own body, as it is; of life no longer has meaning, given that a his/her own psychic characteristics society of efficiency looks at not being able (intelligence, creativity, way of feeling and to do things as not being. The acceptance being); of one’s social status and history. In and processing of all that there was in one’s the flow of life, many things change: in life, including mistakes, allows for a relationships, positive events alternate with restructuring of personal identity, those that are negative or problematic; in strengthening it to arrive at that integrity of work, periods of enthusiasm and success, the ego, which contrasts with the non-sense alternate with times of failure, routine and and the despair that can make room for the fatigue; applause is usually measured, approach of death. Overcoming any crisis alternating with rather generous criticism, opens ever wider and freer horizons, and memory, and intelligence change. Even the sets out on the roads of wisdom, body, after reaching peak development, challenging roads, certainly, but full of allows one to gradually discern the signs of serenity, peace and joy. The wise are not aging. In order to strengthen identity and go sad, but elicit joy. Speaking of his return to towards wisdom, it is necessary to accept Jerusalem, Martin Buber wrote: "The and develop all of one’s history, successes Talmudic sages say that it [the air of and failures, faithful friendships and Jerusalem, and for us the encounter with betrayals, understanding, recognition and Him] makes one wise. I received from it misunderstandings; professional and something else: the strength to begin spiritual dreams that were possibly desired again.4 "In the journey toward wisdom, faith but perhaps put aside; rejoicing in having is a great help. The belief that Someone held or rediscovered prestigious roles, but loves us regardless our attractiveness or also to have done something that no one physical agility, age, role, cultural level or had seen, and not to regret too much feeling social consideration, is a force that allows not being considered. It also means the human being to attain fulfillment, recognizing, discerning, and accepting, wisdom, or have the strength and going beyond the constraints of all positive encouragement to begin again . and negative conditioning proper to all human society and every culture. And wisdom is a joyful prelude, a happy beginning of "forever. It is also important, even though not easy, to accept the physical changes that come [email protected] about in the passing of years, and which, generally, bring with them the lessening and loss of comeliness and efficiency, especially 4 during the last stages. BUBER Martin, I racconti dei hassidim, Guanda, Parma 1992, pag. XIII.

Culture

Interview with Sr. Wilma Lucía Ramírez (Colombia)

I Believe in the Future of the

Salesian Charism

Mara Borsi I believe in the future of the charism courageously spread the Salesian because I have the certainty that spirituality that is capable of giving somewhere there will always be a young happiness and fullness of life. heart that is looking for truth and love. For It is up to us, adults, to be the first to allow this reason I contemplate with wonder the ourselves to be challenged; I believe that it gift of the Salesian charism in the Church. is important to rediscover in our Founders Why can I speak of the future? Because the the sense of total and exclusive belonging future belongs to young people, the to the God of love, with an ardent faith in "sentinels of the dawn", as they were called His close and constant presence that makes by John Paul II. Young people are present us attentive to His will. in all our realities, and to know how to be there with them, to walk with them, as did The Oratorian heart is a guarantee for Don Bosco and Mary Mazzarello, is the the future essence of the Salesian charism. I think that the future of the charism is tied I believe in the future of the Salesian to the ability to be faithful to the "Oratorian charism because... heart”, which commits us to build places where to experience a concrete hope for the The future is not tomorrow; the future is future. These are places where you can here and now, when we remember and breathe facts of hope, in the courage to deal contemplate the past, making it new each with the issues of everyday life in alternative day. Taking up again the experience of the ways to those that are dominant in today’s first communities allows us to meet living culture. experiences that give vigor to the passion for education and support the sacrifice that There are schools, oratories, professional involves making ourselves a free gift to the centers, university centers, group homes for younger generations. those at risk, where, because the “Oratorian We are called not only to dream about the heart” beats , the unconditional acceptance future of the charism, but also to rebuild it of young people is promoted, giving them by being faithful to the gift of our identity and tangible proof that they are loved. These mission in the Church, as noted in the first are environments that demonstrate through article of the Constitutions: " John actual examples a way of being men and Bosco founded our Institute as a response women, according to the logic of the of salvation to the deepest yearnings of the Gospel, i.e., forgiveness, solidarity, freedom young.” \responsibility, and a sense of mystery, an Young people are the future, but in the life alternative to that which is prevalent today. of each day we are entrusting to them the charismatic hope of tomorrow. This is the reason why many, I would say very many, persons continue to believe in the Salesian charism. It is up to the educators to

In speaking of Salesian charism as a memory that challenges Mother Yvonne said: "The future of the charism does not depend so much on the growth of the works, as on the growth of people, on the strength of their love and their fidelity to God's plan."

Therefore we just have to live the adventure of dreaming and strive to make concrete the reality of the Salesian charism every day, so that the passion for God will become a passion in us for the integral growth of the younger generations.

These are spaces where real, practical interests (sports, music, meeting ...) are Each of us is personally responsible for the experienced as intrinsic values ... never vitality of the Institute and the flourishing of being exploited towards other goals. This is vocations (cf. C 73). The charism, in fact, where one meets with a Christian proposal contains in itself an energy that must be (and its sacramental and liturgical freed with our shared responsibility in celebration) as "good news" to look toward dealing with current challenges, in the future. expressing all the prophetic and creative strength, even in the frailty and poverty that They allow for the expression of the we see in ourselves and in the community “Oratorian heart” that beats in every each day. Salesian educator and for the re-reading of the Preventive System starting from hope, in order to be able to find the “accessible The story of the Institute, written by our point of good”, these are the tasks that Sisters during these 140 years, overcoming await us in our present history. difficulties of every kind to remain faithful to the Founders and to give innovative I think it is important to walk with hope, responses to the various forms of poverty, is cultivating the wealth of our charismatic a spark of the future, an inspiration and a identity, so it will be easier to make resonate clear guide for life, Today, by our existence, in us the call of the General Chapter XXII to we continue to write this story. be converted to love in order to be sign and expression today of the foreseeing love of A dream of God that is realized in time, Yvonne God Reungoat, Superior General

Pastoral-ly

Oratory Youth Center: What Future?

Anna Mariani - Mara Borsi

The evolution of a complex society, the new familiarity of the oratory environment. sensitivities of young people, the challenges Certainly, of course, also thanks to the and opportunities they live require them a closeness of a Salesian who accompanied re-thinking the forms of proclamation and them, personalizing their way. At least so meeting. From the time of pre-adolescence they say in speaking of their vocational children live many diversified experiences. stories ... The ambivalence of the young people of the The Oratory -Youth Center will have a future world highlights the importance of support in this individualistic, consumerist, and and educational accompaniment. secularized era, if through all its proposals, it becomes a home for the young, especially Maria Lan, a Vietnamese FMA tells us that those who do not have one. It is essential in her country almost all the communities that there be a loving presence of the have an Oratory and that young people, in members of an educational community that general, are very sensitive to the offers closeness and itineraries for the educational proposal, as are their parents formation that is lacking in other educational who are particularly attentive and desirous institutions. For example, guidance for the that their children frequent this environment. future through an intergenerational The challenge for the future, says Sr. Maria, exchange, openness to life's questions, is to be better prepared for the educational spaces for intercultural exchange, strong accompaniment of young people, updating proposals for commitment and volunteering, the catechetical methodology so that young personal accompaniment, and intelligent people, in their freedom, may make a real inculturated confrontation in matters of faith. journey of encountering Christ and give renewed attention the education of Fr. Giancarlo conscience. The validity of any Oratory depends ... on the proposal. Over time we have come to Michal Vojtáš SDB Slovak is in Rome understand that the Oratory - as an "ideal" writing his doctoral thesis. We spoke with proposal and as an "historical" or socio- him and the noted Director of Youth Ministry existential reality (i.e., as an institution Giancarlo De Nicolò asking what they saw having its own significance and meaning in as a future for this educational environment the territory for the people and for the so important for the Salesian Family. person who frequents it) - is an educational offering expressing the whole of the genius Fr .Michal of Don Bosco and the commitment of the The Oratory has a fundamental role in the Salesian Family throughout time and life of a Salesian. I think that the majority of history. It is, in a word, the place where young confreres recognized their Salesian education becomes not only a provocative vocation thanks to the informality and proposal, but also one that is engaging,

I think of how in a beautiful way of "virtual" (or possible) Youth Center everything happens in and around the reality of MGS, there, where it lives in the freshness of the Salesian charism, and the ability to re- propose "what appeals to the young" and in taking on the responsibility of the maturation forms they that like (GMG, meetings, and growth of autonomy and leadership, commitment , formation, celebrations, actual places where one finds that schools of prayer ...). synthesis of education and evangelization that in theory still lives, and you cannot live Francesco – a young animator – it with separation, hierarchy, denial. I came to the Oratory at 9 years of age, This is obviously valid for every educational attracted by its spirit of cheerfulness and opportunity found in an institution where celebration. We needed very little to have young people meet to share the joy of life, fun: for me it was all enjoyment and games. listening to and accepting what is in the The presence of young leaders made me hearts of people, passion for Jesus and for think ... Why not be like them? Thus the the young people, therefore, not only in adventure began… first I was an assistant words: hence the continued validity of the animator and then an animator. What is the "oratory criterion"! Oratory for me today? ... a place for gathering, one that is educational and Today the Oratory and Youth Center need entertaining for all, with special attention to be reinvented. It is difficult to think of the directed toward adolescents and young Salesian Family in new forms. people. It presents an opportunity to grow and mature in the faith ... a place, therefore, The Youth Center has a future if it of human and spiritual formation. The Youth rediscovers a present. Obviously we do not Center is a place accessible to every young need to copy a glorious past, but we must person regardless of what they believe . It is reinvent it on the basis primarily of the where the person is welcomed, valued, formation requirements of today's youth esteemed, and respected beyond beliefs along with a welcoming attitude for their and religious sensitivities, provided that this resources. does not translate into attitudes and conduct that violates the values and principles of the The quality of the youth center is that of Christian faith to which the Oratory-Youth being “for” not merely being “for self” in the Center refers for all of its initiatives.. false belief that first of all one must be formed then act…in an eternal process of self formation and complacency as a small [email protected] community to the point of exploding. [email protected]

WOMEN IN THE CONTEXT

Women Working for the Common Good

Paola Pignatelli, Bernadette Sangma In an interview given a year ago she Toward the common good was the theme launched her lucid proposal to the women in of the third meeting of the Zermatt Summit the world of work: "I urge women to find Foundation held last June 21 - 23 in their own authentic path. This means also Switzerland. The event saw a gathering of developing an inner life and having broad 150 international leaders from the world of horizons before them, even in need. It is economics, politics, spirituality, and civil difficult, in fact, to remain in a situation society. Their belief: Globalization can be where one feels uncomfortable. But the placed at the service of the common good; it strength of women, when they can be must be made a process of humanization of themselves, is the ability to work together, globalization. to create harmony, to care for and to fight for what they love. Many women are great Among the most significant sharing we communicators and can pick up intuitively emphasize the testimony of Kristin Engvig, on even what is not said. For our growth as a Norwegian woman, founder and head of human beings, it is necessary for this the Women's International Network that reason to try to learn from both female and unites more than 4,000 professional women male examples, and it is important to know from more than 70 countries. how to value our differences. "

The theme of her testimony was "The For the Common Good “a two-edged leadership of women for the common good." sword” Her proposal for an original and creative path of femininity is fascinating. She stated: This is the story of Lou Xiaoying Jinhua in "I have come to the conviction that authentic Zhejiang province. She is 88 years ago and women can save the world. My idealism has suffers from kidney disease. On August 1, led me to encourage women, with all their 2012, from UCAN News (Catholic News humanity, to take a leading role in projects, Agency in Asia) a news item was published thus contributing toward creating a better about her. The article was entitled: "A world. In order for all this to happen, I think woman saves 30 newborn babies from the that women need to cooperate with each garbage". She says that in 1972 when her other and have a space exclusively for husband was still alive, she was picking up them.” items in a landfill of material for recycling, when she found a newborn baby To this end, she proposes a women's abandoned in the middle of the trash on the leadership that does not seek to follow the road. The baby girl would have died if she male stereotype, but points to a more had not saved it. feminine vision, one that is global, sustaining work, communities, and life.

It is moving to see the absolute value The focus areas were the villages of attached to human life as a fundamental Waramel and Laithok, just outside of Tonj. component of the common good. Despite In these places access to water, especially her poverty, human life took first place. "I during the drought season, is scarce. One asked myself: if we have enough strength of the immediate consequences is the high to collect and recycle garbage, how can we percentage of girls who do not attend or not collect and ‘recycle’ something as drop out of school. Water gathering takes important as human life? These children girls away from school because they have need love and care. They are all precious to walk for hours to find it. For this reason, human lives. I do not understand how the FMA have planned for the construction people can leave such a vulnerable creature of wells in the villages. This strategy, as well on the road. " as offering the possibility of facilitating access to water for all the inhabitants of the When she picked up the last child that she village, was able to attract and encourage named Zhang Qilin, Lou was already 82 school attendance for girls, and thus years old. She says, "Even though I was contribute toward a better future, not just for older, I could not ignore the child and let him girls, but for society as a whole. die in the dirt. The baby boy was so sweet and so much in need that I could not help The action has multiple potentials for the but take him home with me, even though my transformation of the actual reality, in as house was very small and modest. I started much as access to education can generate to take care of him. He is now a healthy, a change of mentality in the consideration of happy child. My other children (all collected the dignity of women and girls. In the Dinka in the same manner) help me to take care of culture, the major ethnic group in the region, Zhang Qilin whose name in Chinese means girls are valued only for the dowry they can "exceptional and valuable." bring to the family. The father decides whom his daughter will marry, and usually, the choice goes to the man who offers a Wells for the education of girls greater number of cows. The girl has no chance to express her preference. You might be wondering where the link exists between a well and the education of "Wells", so full of future and hope to initiate girls. Yet, we know that in many parts of a 360 °turn! Deep and rich, as could be the Africa, Asia, and Latin America, water as a life and dignity of a woman, in every common good is difficult to access, and latitude! leads to serious consequences of poverty, affecting health and education, especially for women and girls. [email protected] To address this situation in South Sudan, the FMA community of Tonj has undertaken [email protected] a strategic action, one that is capable of generating considerable change. It is a project started a few years ago, with the financial support of the Confederation of FMA Past Pupils.

MOSAIC

Rights at Stake

Anna Rita Cristaino

Fr. Fortunato Di Noto, has made the fight for the protection of the rights of children his In short, this is the "first card game mission. dedicated to the exploitation of prostitution," Through the Mater Association, which he says Fr. Fortunato Di Noto: "Every player founded, he started a real war against has a role, that of pimp, managing his girls online pedophilia. blow by blow, each with their own" specialty Formation, information, and prevention are ", plotted and finalized, and in the case of the goals of the association that works ko, the subsequent sale of organs. closely with police, doctors, parents, and Fr. Di Noto’s commentary is duly harsh: teachers. "These things can generate perverse behavior", and "this is a game that leads During the month of October he condemned one to think that exploiting people is ‘fun’, the presence of an online payment card that selling organs is like selling spare parts. game whose contents are horrifying. It is an Human rights are being trampled by a international game that is social in nature game. " and can be easily shared. His reporting led to the indignation of many Not only this, but "the designer of this game, organizations working for the protection of a person who is well-known in the world of the rights of children and women. pornography, may not know what it means to be used, or the tragedy of slavery linked The way it works is this: With just fifteen to profiteers , or selling an organ to buy a euro, the player can buy ninety-nine cards piece of bread." It matters little. "I do not online (with content and designs that show think this will interest him, given that the violence and gang rape), manages his game is part of a business that takes "girls", classified as luxury escorts, street advantage of the stupidity of irrational prostitutes, and "young talents", and makes sexual perversion." them work with strokes of wild perversions and, if one does not make enough to beat the other players in the contest, he ultimately kills them and sells their organs. [email protected] All feigned, of course, but also all widely available to anyone, because to enter the site just click on "yes" in answer to the question "Are you an adult?" and if you do so, you can buy the cards … one only needs a paypal account..

Communication and Truth

A Glance at the World

Patrizia Bertagnini – Maria Antonia Chinello

The right to information is not a privilege of employees, but a component of the liberty editor of the paper faces up to a year in of citizens, a guarantee of democracy. The prison and a fine of 45,000 EUR, plus the essential duty is to respect people, not to order to return all the pictures. But within a transform information into a spectacle that few days the financial revenue, reported ignores and sweeps away dignity. Freedom very high sums, without even thinking of of information is an inalienable right. Any that from advertising. The magazine sold information that is provided, on paper, 500,000 thousand copies (100,000 video, radio, digital must have a face, a thousand more than usual). The Internet purpose, and reference values. Those who has since recovered and revived the story inform cannot be just any communicator. and the photos: it is impossible to demand the withdrawal of copies already in This belief is contradicted by some news circulation on the Net reports with international resonance which, in recent times, lead us to ask what is the The launching of the film Innocence of truth of informing, i.e., whether it is right to Muslims on YouTube unleashed the rage of publish any news /or picture, always and crowds in a few Arab nations and the United without self-censorship. States Ambassador in Libya was murdered along with three other officials. A week later, a satirical French magazine publishes a few desecrating vignettes of Mohammed. Behind the News The American weekly Newsweek reporting A few facts September 2011, Wikileaks it as a cover story triggered mixed reactions publishes 251,000 cables on U.S. even on Twitter. diplomacy without removing the names of Gag law or self-delimitation of duty? employees and local informants, as a result, they become known to anyone and This is not the first time that we are everyone. The organization led by Julian confronted with cases in which freedom of Assange is attacked, but he claims the right information (or merely the communication of of "freedom of the press." an opinion) is in conflict with morals, good manners, and the law. Undoubtedly September 2012: The French weekly Closer violence, for its own sake, is to be is condemned because of the publication of condemned, and the differences between topless pictures of Kate Middleton. The freedom of opinion and the right to be offended must be taken into account, but the question remains: is it right to publish everything always , as did the Wikileaks model? There are boundaries, especially in the internet age where information travels at LIGHT SHADOWS 360 degrees, and something once On Objectivity "published", takes on the speed of light, and there is an almost irreversible autonomy. If, as required by the etymology of the word The question is open and challenges us as "in-form" literally means "to shape", ", or “to educators in this world "without borders", model according to a specific shape," news where, however, basically national is information, since it provides insights, i.e., identities, religious, ethnic, cultural are it informs about something. strongly reborn. But what shapes information? Since there is A Network for the Truth of the Person virtually nothing on which that you cannot

give information, by informing you shape The journalist Mario Calabresi, director of the Italian newspaper La Stampa, said: reality, and the world. In this sense, "Going to the heart of information means "shaping" is equivalent to "bringing order" not judging before the facts are known, and understood in two ways, both as elimination allowing the truth to speak. We must return of the disorder or as a reality to the center, and in this way there are no fixed routes, or roads from which you cannot have a way out. Today we see using false information as a means to attract people with the idea that reason is on the side of those who shoot the biggest gun. I reduction of what is complex, that is, as a think rather that we should not lose sight of simplification. To circulate information, the person, and that one needs to have a therefore, means creating a world in which positive outlook because there is some people themselves circulate better; it is a kernel of truth that is covered by lies, or reality in which it is easier to move, work, what is negative. Reality is stubborn; it is not possible for anyone to pollute it or and live. manipulate it forever, if we keep alive this One does not need to be an information positive outlook. " specialist or an established journalist to feel In other words, saying that “informing” is a the need to submit meekly to the law of word composed of the prefix "in", in this one information. It is capable of smoothing the case in which language has an added way for generating participation and meaning. Informing equals educating. empathy, sharing and solidarity, but can do so only if it respects its fundamental Also, this is the field where we play out our prerogatives: the lack of neutrality, or the commitment to educate ourselves and ability to take a stand, and being impartial, others to look beyond the present and into the history and events that we live every that is, the ability to maintain equanimity in day,to not stop and be content to divide the judgment. world between "good and bad", so that we might feel that we are in the right, to The commitment to hold together these question the voice of the media to "give seemingly conflicting characteristics both voice to the voiceless." directs and integrates an honest search for the truth, and allows one to maintain a high level of authenticity and correctness of information.

You Entrust Them to Me

Our beautiful life correspond. After a few days she received Interview with Sister Luz Ines Valdés Zapata three books in the mail, one of Laura Vicuña, another of Sr. Maria Troncatti ,and yet another Luz Ines Valdés Zapata was born in Medellin about Mother Mazzarello. (Colombia), and grew up in Tulua Valley where her parents, brothers and sister still live. “As I read these three books, especially that of Mother Mazzarello, there grew in me a longing Hers is a story of vocation lived in her family. In to live my life for God in the service of others.” fact, it was her sister Betty who was an intermediary in the discernment process of Luz Three months later she made an 8 day Ines. "In the winter of 2002, while waiting in a experience in the aspirantate in Medellin. “The park for the procession of the Holy Sepulcher, I serene, happy community life and the was speaking of the future with my two sisters. apostolate in a neighborhood of poor peoplr My sister Betty told us that during her the years allowed me to hear the voice of God who was in boarding school she had cultivated the desire calling me to remain with the FMA forever…but to become a Sister, but then life made it clear not right away.” After this experience she that the Lord had other plans for her. She told returned home to speak with her family, greet us about how the life of the Franciscan sisters her friends, and to work for another month. with whom he worked in pastoral ministry was, "My mother cried for joy at the thought of saying how they were jovial, generous, and having a daughter religious, but also at the close to those with whom she worked. After displeasure of having to be separated from her hearing what my sister had to say I asked: "Are youngest daughter. My father, instead, after a there Sisters who are normal? Then I few days of reflection asked me, " Luz Inés , is it want to go to see how these Sisters live. '" because you have been disappointed in love During that time Betty was working with the that you want to become a Sister?” Then I Salesians. She told a priest who was working in explained to him that this was not the case, and youth ministry about the conversation she had he said to me: “I don’t really care much for the with Luz Inés and he gave her a vocational idea, but I do not want you to be able to one brochure that had the e‐mail address of the day say that it was because of me that you were FMA who was in charge of vocational not happy. I respect your decision.” promotion. “Returning home after a long day Her brothers and sisters gave their support and at work”, said Luz Inés, I found the flyer in my helped with their own advice. At the beginning room. I read it, and I felt a certain joy in my her friends wanted her to go out with them to heart. meet some boys, thinking that in this way she The following day Luz Inés sent an e‐mail to the would change her mind. However, in the end Sister, she answered and they began to they gave in. to grow in me. Later , it was purified, and strengthened with time, and with the During the time preceding the year of experience gained in the various communities discernment, Luz Inés worked with her brother where I have lived the mission and community in an ice‐cream factory. After high school, she life of our beautiful Salesian religious life. " wanted to continue her university studies. She liked psychology or sociology, materials that After her first profession she lived in four would allow her to work with people. Her different communities: in Urabá‐chocoano (a parents, however, could not afford university missionary area) as a catechist; Mary Help of expenses for her and another sister. Therefore, Christians in the school of El Santuario‐Ant as she began to work so as to save enough for her coordinator of the resident school, teacher and studies. “Mom and Dad always taught us that the person responsible for some pastoral we must earn the things that we wanted.” groups including the children’s missionary group; assistant to the candidates, postulants Luz Inés is currently in Rome. In October, she and novices. If you ask for a summary of her received the missionary crucifix and is preparing life experience as an FMA she says, "happiness, to leave for the missions. “I discovered my fidelity, fecundity." missionary vocation when I was a postulant. A Sister who had been in Africa for 25 years had "In times of trouble the Eucharist and prayer returned to the community. Her witness of a gave me strength, as did thinking of all those happy life and her stories of being among the who suffer, spurring me on to be well in order poorest Africans, helped a missionary vocation to be able to do good. The greatest joy was giving my life to the Lord forever in the FMA institute. "