September, 2025
Opening Mass of the Centenary of Salesian Presence at Thornleigh
Posted: Tue, 30 Sep 2025 13:45
Thornleigh has started its celebrations for the Centenary of Salesian Presence at Thornleigh Salesian College. The Bishop of Salford, the Right Reverand John Arnold, celebrated Mass with many past pupils, teachers and staff of the college.
There was an atmosphere of appreciation and reminiscence as friends caught up with each other, remembering their times at Thornleigh. There were people from all generations....
Rector Major's Message - October 2025 - The Divine Folly of the Sower who “Sows in Darkness”
Posted: Fri, 26 Sep 2025 08:56
The parable of the sower, narrated in the synoptic Gospels, is a powerful and fundamental image of the Christian message. At first glance, it might seem like a simple allegory about the different ways in which the Word of God is received. However, when one looks deeper, it reveals a radical truth, especially if applied to educational and pastoral processes.
This truth is enclosed in the very gesture...
Sunday Reflection - 26th Sunday of Ordinary Time (Year C)
Posted: Wed, 24 Sep 2025 14:09
Our first reading is again from the prophet Amos, and again he is having a go at the wealthy, who are concerned only with themselves and their own comforts. But we do get an idea of aspects of life and culture at that time: ivory divans, eating lamb and veal (fattened in the stall rather than the fields), lots of wine to drink, oil and music, which the prophet speaks of rather disparagingly. Obviously...
Sunday Reflection - 25th Sunday of Ordinary Time (Year C)
Posted: Fri, 19 Sep 2025 10:35
Our first reading today is taken from the prophet Amos, the prophet of social justice. His words express condemnation for those of his people who exploit the poor and the needy, people who are interested only in their own gain and well-being, and who use fraudulent means to achieve their selfish aims. He outlines some of the practices they adopt, like tampering with scales, and even selling the sweepings...
Sunday Reflection - The Exaltation of the Cross (Year C)
Posted: Thu, 11 Sep 2025 11:51
Today we are celebrating the feast of the Exaltation of the Cross, which takes precedence over Sunday 24 of the year. The readings for the feast hang together really beautifully.
The first reading, which is echoed in the Gospel, recalls the desert journey of Moses and the people of Israel. The people are weary of what they are experiencing, especially the boring food and the shortage of water. They...
Salesian Goodnight - Conversion
Posted: Thu, 4 Sep 2025 09:33
Conversation between a man recently converted to Christ and an unbelieving friend:
"So you were converted to Christ?"
"Yes."
"Then you must know a lot about him. Tell me, in what country was he born?"
"I don't know."
"How old was he when he died?"
"I don't know."
"How many books did he write?"
"I don't know."
"You definitely know very little for a man who claims to have converted to Christ!"
"You are right....
RMG - St Pier Giorgio Frassati: ‘Upwards’
Posted: Wed, 3 Sep 2025 15:52
(ANS - RMG) - When Senator Alfredo Frassati, ambassador in Berlin, to whom the Salesians owed a debt of gratitude, received a request for a Salesian to look after his two sons Pier Giorgio and Luciana in their studies, the Rector Major, Fr Albera, sent Fr Antonio Cojazzi, a person suited to the task because of his broad culture, youthful enthusiasm and communicative ability. In the Frassati household...
RMG - Carlo Acutis in the ‘roundabout’ of Salesian saints
Posted: Wed, 3 Sep 2025 09:12
(ANS - Rome) - Carlo Acutis, the teenager who will be canonised on Sunday, 7 September 2025 by Pope Leo XIV, was also somehow inspired by Don Bosco's spirituality in his journey of faith. His love for the Eucharist, seen as "the highway to Heaven", was at the centre of his life and actions, in line with the Salesian spirituality that places the encounter with God at the centre and that Don Bosco proposed...