Cagliero11_2025_08_eng


Cagliero11_2025_08_eng

1 Page 1

▲torna in alto
200 AUGUST 2025
RETHINK
!!! ISSUE NO. 200 OF THE BULLETIN !!!
Building Bridges, Not Walls
Dear friends,
In life, we learn to cultivate
gratitude—not because circum-
stances are flawless, but because we
are individuals guided by hope. Hope
is the quiet strength that sustains the
human spirit across cultures and
continents. As the late Pope Francis
often reminded us “hope is bold; it
can look beyond personal
convenience, the petty securities of
this world, and all the barriers of
selfishness.”
Don Bosco lived this hope daily. He
encourages us to walk with our feet
on earth, but in our heart, be in
heaven. His unwavering optimism,
even in hardship, showed that hope is
not passive—it moves us to act, to
uplift others. Amid uncertainty, let
us embody hope and show that with
God, there is always light, purpose,
and no darkness is ever final. May
our hope inspire others to rise,
rebuild, and believe in the
transforming power of love.
In today’s world - connected more than ever - yet torn by fresh conflict and divisions
- the dream of peaceful coexistence can feel distant. Yet, Pope Leo XIV, in his first
message to the world offered a bold and hopeful vision: “a church that build bridges,
not walls”. He told us that we are called to become a missionary Church, a church
of dialogue, peace and encounter. His call that resonated beyond St Peter’s square.
In cities, slums and villages where Christians live alongside Muslims, Hindus,
indigenous communities, and non-believers, the Pope’s words were crystal-clear: we
are not here to impose – but to propose. To live and serve humbly, working hand in
hand with people of different faiths, cultures and traditions.
When I was in Sierra Leone, in Don Bosco Fambul Programme for vulnerable kids,
I was happy to see Muslim and Christian boys and girls living together peacefully
under the same roof. Christian and Muslim staff serve the children with one heart,
and deep love for Don Bosco, the Salesian spirit and his educational system. Real
peace is not built overnight. It demands humility, openness, and often, sacrifice. It
takes patience, courage and deep compassion, especially when faced with
rejection. When we choose that road, we become a home for all, a school of peace
and reconciliation. In a world marked by fear and polarization, this mission has never
been more urgent – or more prophetic.
Fr Jorge Mario Crisafulli SDB
General Councilor for the Missions
FOR REFLECTION
AND SHARING
What obstacles and divisions are
you encountering in your life?
⁠How can you contribute to
harmonious coexistence among the
people around you?
Fr Eric Mairura SDB
Missions Sector
Celebration of the 150th anniversary
of the first missionary expedition
05.10.-13.11. “Corso Germoglio” – new missionaries
(Rome, Colle Don Bosco, Valdocco)
08-09.11. “BeAMission” – MA Italy meeting with young people (Valdocco)
09-13.11. World Missions meeting with all PDMAs (Valdocco)
11.11.
Sending out of new missionaries by the RM (Basilica Valdocco)

2 Page 2

▲torna in alto
RASS—A NETWORK THAT
RESPECTS DIVERSITY
AND PROMOTES
DIALOGUE
Alex, could you briefly present what RASS is and what is its mission and
objective?
“Red América Social Salesiana” (RASS) is the network of Salesian social works and
services that accompany children, adolescents, youth and families in situations of
vulnerability and exclusion in America. In the light of the Gospel, and faithful to
the Preventive System of Don Bosco, our aim is to consolidate processes of
articulation, training and communication, in order to enhance and strengthen the
Salesian response provided locally to this population.
The main theme of this month is coexistence. How is RASS committed to
coexistence between different people?
From the Salesian approach and the updating of the preventive system, our
charismatic identity is based on human rights and the recognition that all people
are children of God. Our actions are aimed at integral human development, at
building networks that generate unity and a provisional future for those we
accompany. As a Network, we strengthen local capacities through training
processes with a focus on interculturality and respect for diversity, the promotion
of spaces for dialogue, listening and participation, and communication efforts to
raise visibility and awareness. As part of our charism, our environments are
designed to be spaces where differences are valued as a source of richness rather
than a threat.
Director of the Salesian Social America Network
(RASS), provincial referent for the Salesian Social Works
and Services of the province of Central America and
director of the Ricaldone Technical Institute in San
Salvador. He has 28 years of experience in the
educational, pastoral and social sectors. He holds a
Master's degree in Policies for the Prevention of Youth
Violence in a Culture of Peace, a degree in Theology and
is a professor of Pedagogy and Philosophy. Diplomas:
Social Education; Youth, Society and Public Policy and
Executive Leadership.
How do you see the missionary dimension and its manifestations in the
context of Salesian social works?
The missionary dimension in the Salesian social works in America stems from the
initial vision of Don Bosco, who, in the 19th century, went out into the streets to
accompany children, adolescents and young people living in various
vulnerabilities: orphanhood, child labour, street situations, illiteracy,
malnutrition, among others; defending their rights and offering them a
comprehensive educational proposal that included spiritual formation. Today,
this missionary spirit translates into more than 180 social works that, based on
the Salesian charism, implement programmes and projects for children,
adolescents and young people in vulnerable situations, which facilitate
overcoming their personal difficulties and contribute to generating a beneficial
social impact on their own lives and their communities.
ß Number two hundredth Cagliero11
Issue 1 was published on 11 January 2009. Number 200 after 16 and a half years.
The Mission Sector publishes Cagliero11 in five official languages (EN, ES, FR, IT, PT).
Some provinces do their own language versions; currently in another 17 languages.
Distribution is via the official email cagliero11@sdb.org to 3,000 contacts, and via WhatsApp to more
than 500 contacts.
RETHINK > COEXISTENCE
SALESIAN INTENTION
We pray for patience and perseverance in the missionary
efforts towards a joyful coexistence among different people.
Social Work
Collaborators
Prayer intention of Pope Leo > For mutual coexistence