As a Salesian, one cannot help but be moved by the deeply personal and foundational connection that Pope Francis shares with the Salesian Family — a bond rooted in the earliest moments of his life and nurtured by a figure who would become spiritually pivotal to him and his family: Father Enrique Pozzoli, SDB.

Students of Don Bosco Tuition Centre Nitika in Tangra, Kolkata, extended their Earth Day 2025 celebrations beyond their institution to inspire the local community. They transformed Radhanath Chowdhury Road, Seal Lane, and Tangra into a hub of environmental awareness, thus spotlighting the urgent need for sustainable practices.

"I would like us to once again have hope and trust in others, even in those who are not close to us or come from distant lands… because we are all children of God."— Pope Francis, in his final message.

The Church is quiet today. The bells toll slowly, the faithful pause in prayer, and the world feels a little emptier. The Shepherd has left the pen.

Seven hundred young participants across Northeast India concluded their five-day Holy Week retreat with a symbolic Easter morning river pilgrimage on the Brahmaputra river, marking the 18th edition of Youth Pasch.

The 18th edition of Youth Pasch, an annual Easter-themed retreat for young people, faced an unexpected hurdle when loud music on horn speakers from a neighbouring residence disrupted its solemn atmosphere. The situation escalated over two days, prompting local police to intervene and restore peace, allowing the event to proceed without further disruption.

In Chofu, at Don Bosco Chapel in Tokyo, Japan, there stands a crucifix like no other. There is no wooden beam, no classic symbol of the Cross. Instead, there is a body—Christ’s body—fashioned from jagged sheets of broken metal. It hangs not from a cross but suspended against cold stone, his body sculpted from shattered metal, fragments welded into form.

In the bustling world of media and communication within the Salesian family, Fr Harris Pakkam stands out as a dynamic force, orchestrating the smooth and effective flow of information like a well-oiled engine. Currently, the Director of AGENZIA INFO SALESIANA (ANS) in Rome, Fr Harris, played a pivotal role in the dissemination of news and video content during the Salesian General Chapter (GC29), a task he undertook with precision for two months. Armed with a degree in Social Communication from the Pontifical Salesian University (UPS), Rome, his journey includes key roles such as Director of DBICA, Chennai, and a tenure at the Dicastery for Communication in the Vatican. Known for his visionary leadership and creative drive, he has also been an efficient organizer of the Don Bosco Global Youth Film Festival (DBGYFF), fostering global youth engagement through the lens of cinema.

Joining him in this engaging tête-à-tête is Dr Bastin Nellissery SDB, the Chief Editor of Don Bosco South Asia. A sharp and insightful communicator, Dr Bastin brings his wealth of experience and editorial acumen to the conversation, ensuring that Don Bosco's voice continues to resonate across the South Asian region.

We offer our tribute to Fr Arulvalan, a Salesian priest whose unwavering commitment to the most oppressed and neglected sections of society, especially the Thurumbar (Puthirai Vannar) community of Tamil Nadu, died at 54. His funeral was held on April 9 at Saint Dominic Savio Church in Tirupattur, Tamil Nadu. His tireless work with the Thurumbar Liberation Movement (TLM) reveals not only a deep conviction in the Gospel of justice but also a courageous defiance against the entrenched caste hierarchy that continues to haunt Indian society.

The 29th General Chapter of the Salesian Congregation concluded with the Eucharistic celebration on April 12 at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart in Rome. The Rector Major Fr. Fabio expressed profound gratitude for the experience lived during the General Chapter, describing it as a moment of Salesian Pentecost. He highlighted how the Holy Spirit guided every phase of the Chapter through the method of conversation in the Spirit, and he invited the entire Congregation to continue on this path of listening and discernment.

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With recollected minds and hearts, the members of the General Chapter (GC 29) entered through the Holy Door and, reverentially bowing towards the Altar of the Chair at St. Peter's Basilica, settled among the pews to take part in the concelebrated Eucharist presided over by Fr. Fabio Attard, the Rector Major on Friday, April 11.

Presiding over the closing celebration of the General Chapter in Turin, Cardinal Ángel Fernández Artime, the former Rector Major, along with his predecessor, Fr. Pascual Chávez Villanueva, and successor, Fr. Fabio Attard, invited his fellow Salesians during the Eucharist, to be new Don Boscos for today's world: "missionaries in love, captivated by Christ, and compelled to share the love that transformed their lives."

The Rector Major Fr. Fabio Attard presented a special gift, the Medal of Mary, to the participants of the General Chapter 29. The medals were kept overnight at Colle Don Bosco, the birthplace of St. John Bosco. “This is not a pious gesture,” said the Rector Major Fr. Attard, “but a real act of entrustment to our Mother.”

On the morning of April 8, the assembly unanimously approved the final document—a challenging task, given the need to find a common language among delegates from 136 countries. Yet, this intercultural effort has borne fruit. The Chapter members now take home not just a document but a shared desire to draw closer to the Lord and to “do whatever He tells you,” echoing Mary’s words at Cana, which had been a focus of prayer and reflection throughout the assembly.

Fr. Patrick Alexander, the general coordinator of the General Chapter of the Salesians of Don Bosco, has earned a reputation for his organizational skills, attention to detail, and concern for the confreres. His work during GC 29, held at Valdocco, Turin, is a testament to his professionalism, efficiency, and dedication. Fr. Patrick Alexander hails from the Salesian Province of Tiruchy, India, and presently belongs to Salesian Headquarters in Rome.