29th August - The John we are talking about here is the forerunner of Jesus and who baptised him. He is the son of Zechariah and Elisabeth and his life was recorded here in June. Moved by the Spirit of God, John takes refuge in the desert to preserve the grace he has received. He lives there until he is thirty years old, practising prayer and contemplation. Then he begins his public life by preaching conversion and baptism, hence his name Baptist.

The character of John the Baptist intervenes by criticising the infidelity of King Herod Antipas who, repudiating his own, took his brother's wife. This woman, Herodias, irritated by John's words, sought revenge. John was arrested and put in prison, but this did not appease Herodias' resentment. One day, during a party at the palace, Herod was so charmed by the dance of Salome, Herodias daughter, that he promised the girl that he would grant her anything she asked for. Salome went to consult her mother who advised her to ask for the head of John the Baptist.

Message from the Bishops at the end of the Pilgrimage

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, You who have come in such large numbers to take part in this national pilgrimage, as well as all of you who are following it from home through the media. We, the bishops of Madagascar, would like to express our deep gratitude to you for having responded to our invitation and for having brought this jubilee initiated by Pope Francis to life spiritually. With you, we take up Mary's song: ‘My soul exalts the Lord’ and we repeat with her: ‘What shall I repay the Lord for all the good he has done me?’....

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Love and Salvation

Christmas is a great joy, because it is the love of God that has come to us, proclaims Fr. Bizimana Innocent, Provincial Superior of the Salesians Don Bosco of Madagascar and Mauritius, presenting his Christmas greetings. Salvation is accomplished, so life is not in danger of disappearing. It is this love and this salvation that we wish to fill our life so that we have peace.

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Zatti, our brother

The short film "Zatti, our brother" (Argentina, 2020) focuses on one of the most difficult episodes of his life. We are in Viedma, in 1941: at the age of 60, Zatti is forced to leave the hospital he has attended for decades. His faith and strength are tested.

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