Emma Hungary (7)

A Missionary Heart in Hungary

by with No Comment ANN ProvinceConfreresUncategorized

I am Fr Ilodigwe Emmanuel Chekwube, a Salesian priest and missionary from Nigeria, currently serving in Hungary. By God’s grace, in 2026 I will celebrate ten years of missionary life in this beautiful land. Looking back, my heart is filled with gratitude — truly, all has been God’s doing, and all is for His glory.

Recently, our community in Hungary had the great joy of welcoming the Provincial and the Provincial Economer from my home Province. Their visit was a moment of deep fraternal communion – a reminder that even though we are far from home, we remain united in one Salesian family.
Dear Fr. Peter and Fr. Raphael, thank you for your presence, your closeness, and your prayers. Your visit strengthened us and renewed our missionary zeal.

The Hungarian Province is one of the youngest and also one of the smallest in Europe. We are just 25 Salesians, yet the mission entrusted to us is vast and demanding. We continue to pray earnestly for vocations, trusting that the Lord will send labourers into His vineyard.

To any young confrere discerning the missionary path, I say: do not be afraid to say yes to God. The mission needs you. Here in Hungary, despite our small number, we are actively involved in a wide range of apostolates — schools, oratories, parish ministry, and outreach among the poor, especially in some of the most disadvantaged areas of the country. For us, what truly matters is not how many we are but the quality of our presence and witness.

My primary apostolate is in the school setting, where I serve as a spiritual director, religion teacher, and vice principal. It is a mission that brings me great joy and fulfilment. The environment is deeply missionary, as many of the young people we encounter come from non-practicing or secular backgrounds. This presents both a challenge and a grace: we are called not only to teach but also to accompany, to witness, and to help them rediscover that their lives are gifts from God.

Following the spirit of Don Bosco, we strive to form our students to become good Christians and honest citizens. Beyond the classroom, I also assist in the oratory and parish, where the Salesian charism of presence, joy, and accompaniment continues to bear fruit in the lives of young people.

Community life is another great blessing. I belong to a small but truly international community, made up of one Hungarian, one Vietnamese, one Indian confrere, and myself. This diversity enriches our daily life, broadens our perspectives, and deepens our experience of the universality of the Church and the Salesian mission. In our differences, we discover unity; in our shared vocation, we find strength.

As I reflect on my journey so far, I can only say with conviction: it has been God all the way. Every step, every challenge, every joy has been guided by His hand.

All that I am, and all that I have been able to do in my vocation, is for His glory.

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Youth Employability Booster Project Celebrates Maiden Graduations Across Nigeria

by with No Comment ANN ProvinceDonBoscoTechAfricaSalesians in AfricaUncategorizedYouth FormationYouth Ministry

NIGERIA – In a landmark week for youth empowerment, the Youth Employability Booster Project successfully concluded its maiden graduation ceremonies across three Salesian key hubs: Lagos, Abuja, and Obosi. Supported by the Mastercard Foundation and Young Africa Nigeria, the ceremonies marked a significant milestone in equipping Nigerian youth with the market-ready skills necessary to navigate the modern workforce.

On February 6th, 2026, the Lagos Centre at Iju hosted a prestigious ceremony to honour its first cohort. The event featured high-level industry insights aimed at transitioning graduates from the classroom to the corporate world.

  • Keynote Address: Mr Mayowa Adanlawo, Business Development Manager at Wema Bank, delivered a powerful charge to the graduands on financial literacy and business growth.
  • Industry Expertise: Mrs Theresa Amaechi, Head of People, Culture, and Transformation at Workforce Group, shared invaluable perspectives on workplace culture and professional adaptability.
  • Partnership: The event was graced by representatives from the Mastercard Foundation and Young Africa Nigeria, underscoring the collaborative effort behind the project’s success.

In Ibolo Obosi, the atmosphere was vibrant as the Young Africa International/Don Bosco Initiatives Mobile Training Cohort 1 celebrated its completion.

A total of 114 participants graduated after intensive training across diverse skill areas. This cohort, specifically sponsored by the Mastercard Foundation, highlighted the “life-changing” nature of the mobile training model, which brings high-quality vocational education directly to local communities.

The celebrations kicked off earlier in the week on February 4th, 2026, at the Abuja Centre in Kubwa. The maiden ceremony was described as a moment of deep reflection and inspiration.

Organisers praised the graduands for their consistency and determination, noting that this graduation is not just an end, but a “meaningful step forward” in their professional journeys. Like the Lagos event, the Abuja ceremony was bolstered by the presence of key partners who reaffirmed their commitment to empowering Nigerian youth with future-proof skills.

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Staff Formation and Safeguarding Workshops: ANN Province

by with No Comment ANN ProvinceSalesians in AfricaSDB FormationUncategorizedYouth Ministry
Fr James Ailen conducting the Safeguarding Workshop at Ibadan

​The Salesian communities within the ANN Province recently conducted a series of strategic formation sessions aimed at fostering professional synergy and reinforcing our commitment to child protection. These sessions were held at the Ibadan (Post-Novitiate) community on February 19, followed by workshops at Mary Help of Christians, Akure, and St. Jude Science and Technical College, Tse-Mker, today, February 20.

​Strengthening Team Synergy

​Each program commenced with interactive team-building exercises and icebreakers. These activities were designed to alleviate professional stress and cultivate a genuine “family spirit”—a cornerstone of our educational philosophy—ensuring that staff members across all departments are aligned in mission and morale.

​Reaffirming Our Commitment to Safeguarding

​A central component of these gatherings was a comprehensive review of the Safeguarding Policy. This session served two critical purposes:

  • ​Onboarding: Newly appointed staff members formally committed to the protection of young people and vulnerable adults.
  • ​Professional Development: Established staff engaged in a collaborative exchange of best practices regarding the safety and well-being of those in our care.

​Our Core Philosophy

The provincial mandate remains clear: young people in our institutions must not only be safe in principle but must feel safe in practice. Through collective vigilance and shared responsibility, we continue to uphold the highest standards of institutional integrity.

​Together, we are capable of achieving this vital mission.

Ss, Versiglia and Caravario Community, Ibadan
Fr Joshua Pilaku conducting the staff and students of St Jude Science and Technical College, Tse-Mker
St Joseph the Worker community, Tse-Mker
Mary Help of Christians community, Akure

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WHAT VALENTINE’S DAY CELEBRATION IS AND WHAT IT IS NOT

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Valentine’s Day originated from a blend of ancient Roman and Christian traditions, evolving from the chaotic fertility festival of Lupercalia into a day honouring St. Valentine. By the 5th century, Pope Gelasius I established February 14th to honour Christian martyrs named Valentine, who were executed for defying Emperor Claudius II by secretly marrying couples. ¹ The oldest known Valentine’s message is a 15th-century poem by Charles, Duke of Orleans, to his wife while he was imprisoned. By the 18th and 19th centuries, swapping handmade cards and gifts became popular in England and the US. In the 19th century, Valentine’s Day evolved into a mass-produced, commercialized holiday, with companies like Hallmark Cards started mass production in 1913.²

What the “Valentine’s Day” Celebration is:

14ᵗʰ February (Valentine’s Day celebration) is a day to celebrate love, affection, and connection. This simply means sending notes to special friends and people one cares about on Valentine’s Day. It is essential that the notes and messages you send accurately express what you want to say and what you truly believe. Also, phone calls or meetings to share life experiences and achievements are a part of this day. Another thing about this day is sharing love with partners, friends, and family, which is an expression of your sincere love for your partner, creating a healthy bond, and reaching out to family members. Giving gifts, messages, and time to loved ones is also an external manifestation of what Valentine’s Day is; hence, love on this day can be expressed through giving gifts, sending messages or calls, and finding quality time for your loved ones. Finally, embracing emotions, care, and appreciation: to be emotionally connected, show care, and appreciate each other, no matter the situation.

What Valentine’s Day Celebration is not:

Valentine’s Day is not just about couples or romance: not just about married people and definitely not all about romantic affairs. Also, Valentine is “not a must-do thing”; therefore, if you do not vibe with it or you have some doubt for it, it is not a must to venture into it. Valentine’s Day is “not about materialism or pressure”, celebrate this day with only what you have, what you can afford, and what you will be comfortable with. Do not be pressured for anything. It should be noted that love never goes out of style, so Valentine’s Day is not just celebrated on February 14. Finally, it is not a day to engage in or initiate immoral behaviour. It is “not a day for immorality of any kind.”

Valentine’s Day is primarily a personal experience. Would you like to spread kindness, happiness, and love? Do not hesitate. Today is not the day to engage in evil or immoral behaviour. Finally, Valentine’s Day is a time for people to express their love and kindness to others. Whether you spend it with a partner, a group of friends, or in quiet reflection, the true value of the day is found in the sincerity of the gesture rather than the cost.

1 History.com Editors. 2024. “History of Valentine’s Day.” History.com. Last modified January 17, 2024.
2 Encyclopedia Britannica Online, s.v. “Saint Valentine,” Britannica.com, accessed February 12, 2026.

S. Edor Godwin Idoko, SDB

St John Bosco and St Francis de Sales

Don Bosco and Saint Francis de Sales

by with No Comment Uncategorized

Don Bosco did not merely admire Saint Francis de Sales; he incarnated his spirituality in a concrete educational and pastoral method. The Salesian style of gentleness, optimism, joy, and pastoral charity is a living continuation of the spirituality of Saint Francis de Sales.

1. Choice of Patron: Gentleness as a Spiritual Program

Don Bosco deliberately chose Saint Francis de Sales as the patron of his Congregation because of his spirituality of gentleness, patience, and pastoral charity. Francis de Sales proposed holiness not through severity, but through meekness and kindness, a style Don Bosco considered essential for working with young people.

Source: Morand Wirth, Saint Francis de Sales: A Program of Integral Formation.

https://www.salesian.online/archives/20357

2. “Nothing by Force”: Meekness at the Heart of Pastoral Action

Francis de Sales taught that hearts are won through love, not coercion. Don Bosco adopted this principle fully, shaping his Preventive System, which avoids punishment and repression and emphasizes trust, dialogue, and affection (amorevolezza).

Source: Pietro Braido, Prevention, Not Repression.

https://www.salesian.online/archives/17634

3. Holiness in Daily Life: Accessible and Joyful

Saint Francis de Sales taught that holiness is possible in every state of life, through fidelity to daily duties and ordinary charity. Don Bosco translated this into a youth context, teaching that holiness consists in joy, responsibility, and daily faithfulness, not extraordinary penances.

Source: Francis Desramaut, One Hundred Keywords of Salesian Spirituality.

https://www.salesian.online/archives/28276

4. Optimism and Trust in God’s Grace

Francis de Sales had a profoundly optimistic view of the human person, trusting the action of grace even in weakness. Don Bosco inherited this optimism, always believing in the educability and goodness of young people, especially the poorest and most difficult.

Source: Morand Wirth, Don Bosco and the Salesians.

https://www.salesian.online/archives/15151

5. Pastoral Charity: Love that Educates and Saves

At the core of Francis de Sales’ spirituality is pastoral charity—a love that adapts itself to the other. Don Bosco made this the heart of Salesian identity: to be “signs and bearers of God’s love to the young”, especially through presence, kindness, and personal accompaniment.

Source: Salesian Sources: Don Bosco and His Work.

https://www.salesian.online/salesian-sources

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Healing Our Vineyard From Within

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Strong relationships are the bedrock of a thriving Church. Yet, stress within our priest-laity-religious dynamics can silently erode our collective spiritual and mental well-being.

Is your parish community feeling the strain?
How can priests, religious and the laity better support each other’s mental and spiritual health?

You’re invited to a vital conversation: “One Flock, One Shepherd.” This is more than a talk, it’s a national dialogue for healing and unity within the Church.

Hosted by Catholic Mental Health Ministry Nigeria & Pan-African Catholic Theology Network.

🎤 Hear from leading voices.
💡 Share in seeking solutions.
🙏 Pray for a stronger community.

🗓️ Thursday, 29th Jan 2026
⏰ 7:00 PM (Nigeria Time)
💻 Live on Zoom https://us06web.zoom.us/j/86129663753?pwd=0ljemm89m2kipfShXAfauOVZWsCMLi.1 ( Meeting ID: 861 2966 3753 | Passcode: 660717)

Pope Leo XIV Praying at the tomb of St Francis of Asissi

Pope Leo XIV Proclaims Special Jubilee Year of St. Francis to Mark 800th Anniversary of His Death

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A hunter’s moon rises behind a statue of St. Francis of Assisi on the grounds of the National Shrine of Our Lady of Champion in Champion, Wis., Oct 8, 2022. (OSV News photo/Sam Lucero, CNS)


VATICAN CITY – In a decree that bridges the universal Church’s recent Holy Year with the enduring legacy of the “Poverello,” His Holiness Pope Leo XIV has officially proclaimed a Special Year of St Francis, running from January 10, 2026, to January 10, 2027.

The proclamation, marking the 8th centenary of the Transitus (passage from earthly life to heaven) of St. Francis of Assisi, invites the faithful worldwide to a “year of grace” focused on peace, poverty, and reconciliation. The decree was issued by the Apostolic Penitentiary and is accompanied by a personal letter from the Pontiff addressed to the Franciscan Family.

“St Francis continues to speak to this era marked by wars and division,” Pope Leo XIV wrote. “Not because he offers technical solutions, but because his life points to the authentic source of peace—Christ Himself.”

Spiritual Benefits and Indulgences

The Holy Father has granted specific spiritual privileges to encourage the faithful to participate fully in this Jubilee. The decree outlines the following benefits for the Church:

Plenary Indulgence for Pilgrims

A Plenary Indulgence is granted to all faithful who, under the usual conditions (sacramental Confession, Eucharistic Communion, and prayer for the intentions of the Supreme Pontiff), make a pilgrimage to any Franciscan church or holy place dedicated to St. Francis anywhere in the world. There, they must devoutly participate in a jubilee rite or spend time in pious meditation, concluding with the Lord’s Prayer, the Creed, and invocations to the Blessed Virgin Mary and St Francis.

Grace for the Sick and Homebound

The elderly, the sick, and all those who, for a grave cause, are unable to leave their homes may equally obtain the Plenary Indulgence. They are required to join spiritually in the Jubilee celebrations, offering their prayers and sufferings to the Merciful God, while having the intention to fulfil the usual conditions as soon as possible.

A Call to “Disarming” Peace

Beyond the remission of temporal punishment, the Pope underlines a communal spiritual benefit: the grace to become “unarmed and disarming witnesses of peace”. The Jubilee is envisioned as a school of reconciliation where the faithful can heal relationships with God, with their neighbours, and with creation.

Renewal of Evangelical Poverty

The year is set apart as a time for “authentic spiritual renewal”, challenging Christians to detach from the “spirit of the world” and rediscover the joy of the Gospel. The Pope exhorts the faithful to look to St Francis not merely as a historical figure, but as a living model of how to shape one’s life entirely on Christ. The Jubilee Year officially opened on Saturday, January 10, with a solemn celebration at the Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli in Assisi, the site of the Porziuncola and the place where St Francis died in 1226.

To obtain the Plenary Indulgence for the Year of St Francis, the decree usually requires visiting a church dedicated to St Francis of Assisi. In Nigeria, any Catholic church dedicated to St Francis of Assisi can be an appropriate place to make the pilgrimage to. For instance, in Ondo Diocese, we have St Francis Catholic Church, Oke-Aro, Akure, Ondo State.
You can make a pilgrimage here, spend time in prayer, recite the Creed and Our Father, and pray for the Pope’s intentions to fulfil the Jubilee requirements.

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Bosco Home CPC Ibadan Celebrates World Social Work Day

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The Bosco Child Protection Center, Ibadan, Nigeria, marked World Social Work Day with a heartfelt celebration of its dedicated social workers. Under the leadership of the centre’s director, Rev. Fr. Linus Onyenagubor SDB, the occasion served as an opportunity to recognise the tireless efforts of these compassionate individuals who care for the boys in the home.

Through their unwavering commitment, the social workers ensure the well-being of poor, sometimes abandoned, and neglected children in society, offering them hope and a brighter future. The centre extended its gratitude to the social workers and prayed for divine inspiration to continue guiding their work with compassionate hearts and insightful minds.

The Bosco Child Protection Center also used the occasion to appeal to well-meaning individuals and volunteers to support their mission, emphasising the importance of collective efforts in transforming lives and building a more caring society

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Fr. Jorge Cristafulli Celebrates Mass at GC29

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At midday in the Basilica of Mary Help of Christians, Turin, Fr. Jorge Crisafulli SDB, Provincial of Africa Nigeria-Niger (ANN), presided over the Eucharist in honor of St. Joseph, as part of the General Chapter 29 (CG29) proceedings.

During his homily, Fr. Jorge reflected on the virtues of St. Joseph, offering profound lessons to guide the faithful:

  • Humility and Simplicity: Serve others selflessly, setting aside personal ambitions.
  • Obedience and Discernment: Listen to God’s will and act with courage.
  • Trust in Providence: Remain steadfast in faith, even amidst uncertainty.

Using the story of Noah and the Gospel account of the healing of the blind man, Fr. Jorge urged the congregation to seek clarity and renewal through the Holy Spirit. He called upon all to embrace transformation with hope and passion, entrusting their journey to Mary Help of Christians.

With faith and courage as their compass, Fr. Jorge encouraged the participants to forge ahead with confidence and devotion in their sacred mission.

Image credit: Agenzia Info Salesiana – ANS

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Young Leaders Embark on Spiritual Journey at 3rd Provincial Youth Animators Vocation Retreat

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From March 6th to 9th, sixty young leaders from across the province gathered at the Don Bosco Marian Youth Spirituality Centre for the 3rd Provincial Youth Animators Vocation Retreat. This transformative event, themed ‘Young People, Prayer, and Commitment to Service,’ aimed to equip matured youth leaders with the spiritual tools necessary to support their local communities and dioceses.

The retreat coincided with the significant liturgical moments of Lent, providing an opportune time for reflection and spiritual growth. Under the guidance of retreat preacher Fr. Chima Alpheus Agbo, participants engaged in a range of activities, including talks, group sharing, and meditation.

The four-day retreat also featured daily Mass, the Rosary, and a Penitential service, allowing attendees to deepen their faith and commitment to service. As these young leaders return to their communities, they are poised to make a positive impact, inspiring others through their spiritual growth and dedication.