Homily for the
20th Sunday of Ordinary Time

August 16, 2026
Matt 15: 21-28
Is 56: 1-7
Our Lady of the Assumption, Bronx
St. Francis Xavier, Bronx

Jesus & the Canaanite Woman
(Francois-Hubert Drouais)

“O woman, great is your faith!  Let it be done for you as you wish” (Matt 15: 28).

Jesus’ initial reaction to the Canaanite woman—who is not only not Jewish but probably is a pagan—puzzles us at first.  He seems harsh.  Calling someone a dog is insulting.

We believe Jesus is fully human.  True, his person, the core of his self, is divine.  But a fully human being has not only a human body but also a human mind and emotions.  The Catechism of the Catholic Church, quoting the 2d Vatican Council, asserts:

The Son of God … worked with human hands; he thought with a human mind.  He acted with a human will, and with a human heart he loved.  Born of the Virgin Mary, he has truly been made one of us, like to us in all things except sin.[1]

Jesus, a Jewish man of the 1st century in Palestine, struggles with his emotions, e.g., he gets exasperated at people’s lack of faith, and he agonizes in the Garden of Gethsemane about his coming passion and death. 

So here, outside Jewish territory in what is Lebanon today, he seems to be feeling a natural Jewish prejudice against their pagan neighbors.  It takes him a while to recall that the prophets like Isaiah had spoken of “the foreigners joining themselves to the Lord” (Is 56:6) and “all peoples” coming to the Lord’s house to pray (56:7).  It takes him a moment to perceive this pagan woman’s deep faith in him as “Lord, Son of David” (Matt 15:22), i.e., God’s chosen instrument of salvation.

Another possible interpretation of Jesus’ apparent harshness toward her is that he’s posing dramatically for an effect on his apostles.  They’re the 1st ones to object to her presence.  By seeming to take their attitude initially, he’ll make a more powerful impression on them when he hears her prayer in spite of her being a foreigner.  That’s a lesson that the apostles need to learn.

In any case, Jesus can’t resist the deep faith of this Canaanite woman.  God calls to faith and salvation people of every nation, every race, every language.  He  calls everyone with deep personal love.  Jesus acknowledges this:  “O woman, great is your faith!  Let it be done for you as you wish.”  This faith saves her daughter for the moment.  Such faith saves all of us for eternity.  As St. Paul writes, God wishes to “have mercy upon all” (Rom 11:32).

Whoever we are, however humble and unworthy, all we need do is turn to Jesus, “Lord, Son of David,” savior of the human race, and call to him for pardon, cleansing, deliverance from the torments of hell (cf. Matt 15:22); call to him for a place at his heavenly table, in the banquet of eternal life foreshadowed by the Eucharist we celebrate here.

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[1] CCC 470; GS 22.

The Salesians' Commitment to Young People

The Salesians’ Commitment to Young People

A resource for Botswana’s future

by Enrico Casale

Photo ©: Vatican Media

(ANS – Francistown, Botswana – August 14, 2026) – There is wealth here, but not the kind one might expect. No diamonds: in a country that ranks among the world’s leading producers of these precious stones, the Salesians are tending to the most valuable treasure of all – the human treasure, embodied by the young men and women. They are committed to nurturing this heritage which, more than the gems themselves, represents the future of Botswana, a country in southern Africa that is little known and rarely covered by the international media. In an economic context marked by profound structural changes, where dependence on mineral resources clashes with the urgent need for economic, social, and employment diversification, the challenge of education takes on the significance of a genuine gamble on the future.

The work of the Salesians

The Salesian presence in Botswana is recent. “The first pioneer priests entered Botswana on November 26, 2023, via the Kazungula border crossing, coming from Zambia,” recalls Fr. Vincent Tembo, who was part of the group. “The beginning of the Salesian presence,” he explains, “took place on December 8, 2023, with a Mass celebrated in the cathedral of Our Lady of the Desert by the late Bishop Anthony Pascal Rebello, who had invited the Salesians to the diocese of Francistown.”

The three pioneers

The process of taking root in the local community required patience. The first 3 Salesian pioneers were Bro. Sylvester Makumba, Fr. Irvin Lumano, and Fr. Tembo, who was in charge of the missionary presence. The launch of activities had to contend with the pace of local bureaucracy. “We encountered difficulties in obtaining work and residence permits,” the priest emphasizes, “and after 90 days we returned to Zambia while awaiting authorization. The bureaucratic hurdles were eventually overcome. We currently have just one community, in the diocese of Francistown.”

Catholics in Botswana

The Catholic presence in Botswana is small. A former British colony, the country has an estimated population of 2.6 million. The Catholic evangelization mission, begun in 1928 by the Oblates of Mary Immaculate, has led to the formation of a community of around 120,000 faithful, accounting for 4.7–5% of the population, spread across the 2 dioceses of Gaborone and Francistown.

The Salesians have been entrusted with the pastoral care of the small parish of St. Teresa of the Child Jesus, which has just 72 parishioners. “We carry out our activities in a place called Monarch, one of the poorest areas of Francistown,” notes F. Tembo. “We live in a rented house 4 km from the center, and we plan to build a Salesian community house.”

True to their charism, the Salesians pay particular attention to young people: “We plan to set up a youth center so that the young people of Monarch can have a place where they can spend their free time constructively.”

Commitment to young people

The community has already launched an afternoon oratory at weekends, offering a concrete response to urban marginalization. The involvement of the laity is also proceeding according to a planned program: the formation of Salesian Cooperators began in 2025, and the first members are expected to take their promises in 2027. “On Saturdays we hold catechism classes followed by oratory activities,” the missionary explains, “and we are involved in the catechesis of young adults, also organizing Bible study groups for young people.”

The geopolitical situation

This pastoral commitment is set against a complex geopolitical and economic backdrop. Since gaining independence in 1966, Botswana has long been regarded as a model of democratic stability in southern Africa, thanks to a robust multiparty system and an efficient public administration. Today, however, the national development model is going thru a delicate phase. The country’s economy remains dependent on diamond mining, a sector which has historically accounted for around 30% of gross domestic product and up to 80% of export revenue, funding infrastructure and public services.

The employment crisis

The crisis in the global diamond market, however, exacerbated by competition from synthetic diamonds, has also reduced the resources available for public spending. The closure or downsizing of some mines has led to the loss of a regular income for large sections of the population and growing job insecurity in the mining sector. This has led to problems of unemployment, which exceeds 30% among young people, forcing many to seek alternative sources of livelihood in the informal sector or in subsistence farming. Despite this, the government continues to regard free education as a cornerstone of its policies, while recognizing the need to complement it with educational and training facilities spread thruout the country.

Developing human capital

The work of the Salesians is not carried out in isolation but forms part of a well-structured regional network. The mission is part of the Salesian vice province covering Zambia, Malawi, Zimbabwe, and Botswana, which is based in Lusaka. International cooperation plays a crucial role in this initial phase: 6 months after the mission opened, the Salesian Cooperators from the Czech Republic visited the community in Francistown, helping the religious to introduce the Association into the parish and providing practical support for the oratory’s activities.

Against this backdrop of transition, the Salesian presence focuses on developing human capital. “The work in Monarch is a small beacon of hope. Creating a safe space for young people,” concludes Fr. Tembo, “means offering concrete alternatives to creeping poverty, supporting the growth of the younger generations with educational tools capable of going beyond the illusory wealth of precious stones.”

Source: Vatican News

A Network for Vocations

A Network for Vocations
Mission and Discernment Come Together in Medellin

by JC Montenegro, PhD

(ANS – Medellin, Colombia) – What happens when vocation ministry becomes the responsibility not of one person or one department, but of an entire Salesian network? This question inspired a Mission and Discernment Experience in Medellin, Colombia, where 14 young men from the Western Province in the USA (SUO) came together for an immersion in Salesian spirituality, service, community, and vocational discernment.

The initiative grew from ongoing collaboration among 3 areas of Salesian ministry: youth ministry, mission animation, and Salesian volunteers. Rather than approaching vocation promotion as an isolated program, these 3 areas began asking how their different gifts could work together to help young adults encounter Christ and discover God’s call in their lives. From that conversation emerged a simple conviction: vocation promotion happens most naturally when young people are invited into the heart of the mission.

Medellin provided a particularly rich environment for this encounter. With the generous support of the Salesians in Medellin, volunteers experienced the diversity of the Salesian mission thru Ciudad Don Bosco and ministries including CAPRE and Derecho a Soñar, as well as schools, parishes, and Salesian communities. The Colombian Salesians opened not only their ministries but also their homes, accompanying the group at key moments and helping create an environment where service, fraternity, prayer, and discernment could come together.

Thruout the experience, the young men encountered young people facing poverty, displacement, and difficult family and social circumstances. Yet they also encountered extraordinary resilience, joy, and hope. These relationships challenged the volunteers to move beyond their comfort zones and recognize that mission is not only about what one gives, but also about allowing oneself to be transformed by those one serves.

“At times it felt like the young people we met were teaching us more than we were teaching them,” reflected Raul. “This mission and young people taught me that humility and gratitude bring joy.”

For Diego Mendez, leaving what was familiar created space for a deeper encounter with Christ.

“I have learned how important it is to get out, to go somewhere totally different, somewhere we’re not used to, and get to know Christ’s love,” he said. The experience challenged him “not to be complacent and be more intentional” about his life and service.

The missionary environment also allowed vocational questions to emerge naturally. Daily prayer, formation, the traditional Salesian Good Night animated by the Salesians in the SUO Province, service, and informal conversations with Salesians created opportunities for participants to see vocation not simply as a decision about priesthood or religious life, but as a response to Christ expressed thru the gift of one’s entire life.

For Isaac Alejandro Esperilla, service became an opportunity to look more deeply at his own life. He said the experience helped him recognize fears and questions he had been avoiding and challenged him “to take the leap” and make his future and spiritual life a greater priority.

Hector Castro captured this same vocational challenge by looking beyond the days spent in Colombia: “I believe that the mission didn’t start when I arrived in Colombia, but when I arrived home. The real challenge is doing something with this experience.”

Others discovered that language and cultural differences did not prevent genuine relationships. Gabriel Galvan, who arrived concerned about his limited Spanish, discovered that presence itself could become a language of mission. “Without being able to hold a conversation, thru my presence I was able to still build connections,” he reflected. “We all come from different parts of the United States with different backgrounds and different stories, but God brought us here together for this moment.”

The young people taking part in this experience were also taken by surprise, like the rest of the Colombian population, by the earthquake on August 10. Altho the earthquake and its aftermath altered the program somewhat, prompting the U.S. delegation to keep the children in the community they were due to visit that day – the El Sufragio center in Medellin – calm and cheerful, this event also served to teach another lesson: that service requires a willingness to help and the ability to respond with faith in God when an unexpected need arises.

The experience demonstrated the strength of networking for vocation promotion. Youth ministry brought its experience of accompanying young people. Mission animation created opportunities for encounter and service. Salesian volunteers contributed a missionary framework. The province of Colombia, local directors, Salesian communities, educators, and lay collaborators provided spaces where the young adults could encounter a living Salesian mission. Each brought a different gift, but all contributed to the same vocational question: How is God calling me to give my life?

Andrew Paris, who first encountered the opportunity thru the Salesian presence at SEEK, expressed how this network opened an unexpected door in his own journey: “If not for them, and perhaps Blessed Laura Vicuña, I would not have known about this trip and probably wouldn’t have been exposed to Salesian spirituality. I am forever grateful for this experience and for getting to know the love and hospitality of the Salesians.”

that every participant will make the same vocational choice is not what the organizers hope for. Rather, each young man is encouraged to continue discerning how God is calling him to serve the Church, whether thru priesthood, religious life, marriage, lay missionary commitment, or another form of Christian service. For some, that next step may include formal discernment with the Salesians.

The Medellin experience offered a simple but powerful lesson for Salesian vocation ministry: when the mission is placed at the center and everyone brings their gifts to the table, new possibilities emerge. Promoting vocations is not the work of one delegate or one office. It is a shared responsibility of the entire Salesian community.

When youth ministry, mission animation, volunteer programs, local communities, and Salesian provinces work together, young people are given something more powerful than an invitation to consider a vocation. They are given an opportunity to encounter the living Christ, experience the Salesian mission from within, and ask what God might be inviting them to do with their lives.

Earthquake Hits 10 Communities in Salesian Medellin Province

Earthquake Hits 10 Communities in the Salesian Medellin Province

(ANS – Medellin, Colombia – August 11, 2026) – An earthquake measuring 7.4 on the Richter scale, with its epicenter in the department of Chocó, shook large areas of western Colombia on the morning of August 10, causing serious damage to several Salesian institutions. The Salesian Medellin Province has confirmed that, so far, there have been no reports of casualties among the Salesians, staff, students. and beneficiaries of its educational and pastoral communities. But assessment work is continuing to verify the extent of human, social, and material damage, while support is being provided to families, staff, and young people associated with the works who have also been affected by the emergency.

Initial reports indicate that 10 of the province’s 18 communities have sustained damage that is hindering the provision of their educational, pastoral, social, and parish services. Among the most severely affected are the 4 Salesian works in Cali, the missionary work in Condoto (Chocó), the Salesian school in Dosquebradas, the Salesian presence in Tuluá, and the works in Popayan, Ibagué, and the Pedro Justo Berrio Salesian School in Medellin.

Furthermore, the Bogotá Province has reported damage to the Salesian presences in Tumaco and Buenaventura. Several buildings, particularly the older ones, have sustained structural damage which will necessitate the temporary suspension of in-person activities until safe conditions can be guaranteed for the entire educational community. Additionally, a religious community comprising 4 Salesians will have to be evacuated and relocated as a precautionary measure due to the risk posed by the structure of their residence.

From the very outset of the emergency, the Medellin Salesian Province has activated its response protocols to assist the affected communities, carry out technical assessments of the damage, and manage resources at both national and international levels to enable the restoration of the damaged facilities. The Colombian provinces have expressed their gratitude for the numerous expressions of solidarity received from the Salesian Family, the Church, and various aid organizations, and have called for unity in prayer and fraternal support to stand by those affected and ensure the continuity of the educational, pastoral, and social mission for the benefit of thousands of young people and families.

In response to the emergency, Misiones Salesianas, the Salesian Missionary Office in Madrid, has already launched a solidarity campaign.

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Homily for 19th Sunday of Ordinary Time

Homily for the
19th Sunday of Ordinary Time

Collect
August 9, 2026
1 Kgs 19: 9, 11-13
Ps 85: 9-14
Matt 14: 22-33
Villa Maria, Bronx
St. Francis Xavier, Bronx
Our Lady of the Assumption, Bronx

“Bring to perfection in our hearts the spirit of adoption as your sons and daughters” (Collect).

Who is God?  What kind of a creator and lord is he?

The collect (or opening prayer) reminds us that Jesus taught us to regard God as our Father.  We understand, of course, that the term’s a metaphor for the Almighty One who has begotten not only human beings but also the entire, almost limitless universe.  It’s a somewhat bold term to use for the master of that universe, which is why the collect, as well as the formula we use at Mass, speaks of “daring” to call him Father.

Yet so Jesus teaches us—to use the same term of endearment and closeness that he used:  abba, daddy, papa.  By pouring out on us his Holy Spirit, Christ has bound us to himself in a relationship of sisters and brothers—we are “the unity” or oneness “of the Holy Spirit” that our prayers refer to, made one with our Lord Jesus and with each other.

So we can dare to speak of God as our papa, our daddy, our abba.  (We might do that with some gusto in Carey Landry’s hymn, “Abba, Father.”)

Altho he’s truly the master of the universe, the creator and director of all things, yet he’s gentle and kind.  “After the fire, there was a tiny whispering sound” as the Lord passed by Elijah (1 Kgs 19:12).  In our Lord Jesus, he urges us not to be afraid and he calms the sea (Matt 14:27, 32)—not afraid of life’s storms and earthquakes (real or metaphorical), its noises and terrors, and not to be afraid of him or his abba.  We can pray confidently, “Lord, let us see your kindness,” “for he proclaims peace” (Ps 85:8-9)—peace in our relationship with him, peace in our dealings with one another.  “Near indeed is his salvation to those who fear him” (85:10), fear meaning to reverence him in awe of his holiness.  He’s our papa, the papa of all of us who belong to Jesus.

Our abba doesn’t shout or scream at us, harshly, like a tyrant or a slavedriver.  He speaks quietly in the words of the Scriptures and in the Spirit’s whispers in our hearts.  That’s why we need silence in our lives, far more than we need our phones, TVs, or radios, or loud politicians who proclaim they’re our saviors.

In silence the Holy Spirit works in our hearts to perfect our attitudes and our inclinations, even our passions, to cling to our brother Jesus so that we might walk with him, walk in his ways, even in a world as slippery and treacherous as the Sea of Galilee was for its fishermen.  When we grasp Jesus’ hand, we won’t sink.  Rather, he’ll pull us along with him to the inheritance our abba has prepared for us (cf. Collect).

Fr. Joseph Nguyen to Be Installed as Provincial

Fr. Joseph Nguyen to Be Installed as Provincial

(Bellflower, Calif. – August 3, 2026) - The installation of Fr. Joseph Thinh Nguyen, SDB, as the next provincial of the Salesian San Francisco Province will take place on Monday, August 24, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. at St. Dominic Savio Church in Bellflower, Calif. Fr. Hugo Orozco, SDB, regional general councilor for Interamerica, will presided over the Eucharistic celebration and the installation. The province welcomes all members of the Salesian Family and friends of the Salesians to join them in prayer and celebration for Fr. Joe as he begins this important leadership ministry.

Fr. Nguyen’s appointment was announced on March 20. Salesian provincials are appointed by the rector major with the consent of his council for 6-year terms. He has been serving as master of novices in Richmond, Calif.

Fr. Nguyen will succeed Fr. Mel Trinidad, SDB.

Fr. Joe Nguyen (at left) with Fr. Mel Trinidad (center),
Bro. Tom Dion (3d from right), and this year's 5 novices

Sharing God's Love with the Young at "SummerDaze"

Sharing God’s Love with the Young at “SummerDaze”

by Rosemary Nucara

This story was first published on August 6 in Salesian News of the New Rochelle Province

(ANS – Etobicoke, Ont. – August 6, 2026) – For 38 years, SummerDaze Day Camp has welcomed generations of children thru the doors of St. Benedict Parish in Etobicoke and has become a place where faith, friendship, and countless memories are formed. Leading it this summer of 2026 is a young woman who grew up within the movement. She shares her experience of growing up on this typically Salesian journey. “For me, it has also been a second home,” she states.

“Eleven years after I first experienced SummerDaze as a camper, I have had the incredible privilege to grow alongside it. I served first as a volunteer, then as a counsellor, next as an activities coordinator, and now as SummerDaze’s camp director. Thru every role, I have witnessed the same mission at the heart of SummerDaze: building God’s Kingdom by sharing His love with the young.

When I first stepped into SummerDaze as an 11-year-old camper, I was welcomed into the loudest, most energetic, most joy-filled environment I had ever experienced, a stark contrast to my own quiet and timid personality. By the end of that first week, I knew it was the best camp I had ever attended. I was also certain that, one day, I hoped to become one of the leaders who had made me feel so seen, valued, and loved.

At the time, I couldn’t explain what made SummerDaze feel so different from any other camp. Years later, after I returned as a volunteer and learned about the Salesians and St John Bosco's Oratory, I finally understood. The staff wasn’t simply running a camp; they were living the Salesian spirit. Thru their intentionality in every activity, conversation, word of encouragement, and shared laugh, they reflected St John Bosco's conviction that “It’s not enough to love the young; they must know that they are loved.”

Salesians at SummerDaze are Sr. Hae-Jin Lim, FMA,
Fr. Steve DeMaio, SDB (both at center front),
and Bro. Carlos Cerda (2d from right, front row)

Inspired by those leaders’ example, I have been grateful to return year after year. Altho each new role brought different responsibilities, my mission remained the same: to help every camper experience the same welcome and sense of belonging that first drew me to SummerDaze more than a decade ago. For me, this mission is lived most authentically in the everyday moments of camp. Whether joining nervous campers in their talent show acts, celebrating their efforts on the soccer field, or simply listening to stories about their weekend over lunch, these everyday interactions have become opportunities to share Christ’s love.

One of the greatest privileges of being part of SummerDaze for so many years has been seeing past campers come back year after year. It’s been a gift to witness their growth and watch their authentic selves flourish, especially as I’ve gotten to serve alongside staff members who were once my campers. SummerDaze has always been a place where young people can be themselves, discover their God-given talents, and know they are loved just as they are.

Looking back, I am grateful for the ways SummerDaze has formed me, both as a camper and as a staff member. It has been the place where I have grown in confidence, leadership, and faith, but, more importantly, where I came to recognize my identity as a child of God. As SummerDaze closes out its 38th summer, my prayer is that, thru every game, conversation, and ordinary moment, campers come to encounter Christ and leave knowing they are deeply loved by him.”

Fr. Steve DeMaio preaches to campers
assembled in St. Benedict's Church

Camp Bosco Bicycle from Sherbrooke

Camp Bosco Bicycle from Sherbrooke

Photo credit: Fr. Alain Leonard

This story was first published on August 6 in Salesian News of the New Rochelle Province.

(ANS – Sherbrooke, Que. – August 6, 2026) – Under the patronage of St. John Bosco and Mary Help of Christians, the educational Camp Bosco Bicycle cycling program based at Le Salésien in Sherbrooke, Que. – now in its 40th year – has brought its summer season to a close. The team of youth leaders accompanied over 200 young people through programs designed to foster personal and Christian growth in the Salesian spirit, including cycling routes along the lakes of Quebec, daily reflections, and moments of shared spirituality. On Sunday, August 30, a gathering of nearly 200 former youth leaders will take place at Camp Dominic Savio to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the camp, which was founded to offer young people a summer experience of sports, faith, and friendship in the educational style of Don Bosco.

"The Shroud: A Challenge to the Intellect"

“The Shroud: A Challenge to the Intellect”
Mary Help of Christians Basilica in Turin will host 4th Symposium on the Holy Shroud

(ANS – Turin, Italy – August 5, 2026) – As has been the custom for several years now, Mary Help of Christians Basilica in Turin will host the symposium dedicated to the Shroud on September 14 – or a date close to it – which this year marks its 4th edition. Since September 14 this year falls on a Monday, the event has been brought forward to Saturday, September 12.

The date September  14 holds particular significance for at least 3 reasons:

• it’s the liturgical feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, to which the basilica’s crypt is dedicated; it houses 2 fragments (10×17 cm) of the wood of the Cross of Jesus, now placed on the high altar.
• it’s the anniversary of the opening of the crypt, which took place in 1934, also known as the Chapel of the Relics.
• September 14, 1578, is the most widely accepted date for the arrival of the Shroud in Turin.

The overarching theme of the 2026 Symposium is “The Shroud: a challenge to the intellect,” an expression used by St. John Paul II during his visit to Turin on May 24, 1998, and one that remains highly relevant today. The Holy Father also recalled that “the Church entrusts to scientists the task of continuing to investigate in order to find adequate answers to the questions connected with this Shroud which, according to tradition, is said to have wrapped the body of our Redeemer when he was taken down from the cross.”

With this in mind, Don Bosco’s basilica will have the pleasure of hosting several distinguished speakers.

Following a welcome address by the host, the rector of the Shrine of Mary Help of Christians, Fr. Michele Viviano, the symposium will be opened by Prof. Emanuela Marinelli, recipient of the Gold Medal for Merit in Catholic Culture and author of numerous books on the Shroud, who will present an up-to-date summary of the current debate.

The keynote address of the evening will be delivered by Dr. Tristan Casabianca, a French researcher whose investigations into the Shroud – published in international academic journals (Archaeometry, The Heythrop Journal, Theology and Science) – have led him to challenge the validity of the 1988 carbon-14 dating. The professor is a member of the Scientific Council of the Centre International d’Études sur le Linceul de Turin and of the board of the Shroud of Turin Education and Research Association. The title of his talk will be: “Can we date the Shroud? The most recent scientific investigations.”

The event will be concluded by Prof. Bruno Barberis, professor of mathematical physics at the University of Turin and vice president of the Confraternita del SS. Sudario, who will share his reflections on the subject.

The fascinating mystery of the Shroud will thus once again be examined and explored in depth at the Salesian motherhouse in Turin, on a date of great significance for the entire Catholic community, the people of Turin, and the Salesian community of Valdocco.

Oratory Environment Enlivens Tampa's Camp Mary Help

Oratory Environment Enlivens Tampa’s Camp Mary Help

By Genaro Cantú, Salesian candidate

The campers and counselors gather for a fun photo on the final day of camp, in front of Mary Help of Christians Parish. Credit: Alex Gonzalez

(ANS – Tampa – July 30, 2026) – Home. School. Church. Playground. Salesians know these as the four pillars of Don Bosco’s Oratory. At Camp Mary Help of Christians in Tampa, these same pillars have come together uniquely. Local Tampa youths learn valuable life skills, share quality time with one another, and at the same time grow steadily to “discover their home in God's Church,” in the words of Stephen Watkins, the camp director. “Fun” and “faith-filled” are two words he uses to encapsulate the camp’s mission.

One of the aspects that has truly set Camp Mary Help apart is celebrating the camp-wide Mass daily before any activities. It’s celebrated by a Salesian priest on each day of the 7-week summer camp season. Campers are encouraged to participate actively by being an altar server, joining the camp choir, or serving as a lector.

A 10-year-old camper said of the opportunity to altar serve at camp, “I don't get to do it a lot, so I like doing it here.” He added that he found it “exciting.”

Activities at camp range from archery to canoeing on the lake, from arts and crafts to paying a visit to the barn on the complex (it's appropriately named Mary Has a Little Farm, with chickens, goats, and many other animals present). A caring and energetic team of counselors — many of them former campers themselves — assists the young and helps them to feel at home.

At Mary Has a Little Farm, campers got to experience firsthand 

the shearing of Shamrock, a 6-year-old sheep. Credit: Arturo Sabogal

“When children come to camp, we work hard to help them feel as if they are part of our family,” Mr. Watkins shared. “We build trust, share our love, and give them a role in our community, which in turn allows them to better understand how God wants them to use their talents outside of camp.”

Tubing on the lake is a favorite among the teenage groups, while the water slides and water balloon fights seem to be most popular among the smaller campers.

Faith time takes place in the afternoon. This is a period devoted to interactive catechesis in an age-appropriate setting, plus weekly “witness talks,” and an opportunity for campers to share about their life in Christ. Each week, a specific theme is emphasized. Important virtues such as forgiveness and prayer took center stage recently.

Bro. Pascal Mukuye, SDB, shared that witnessing campers approach God's mercy during forgiveness week was especially meaningful to him. “To see our young people adoring the Lord, getting to receive the sacrament of Reconciliation, and being able to pause was just beautiful and very inspiring,” he noted.

The week of camp concluded with a lively Friday afternoon talent show, complete with cheerful animation, skits, karaoke, and an awards ceremony. Finally, to cap the week off on the highest of notes, a time of song and worship of the Blessed Sacrament occurred.

Camp Mary Help, which just concluded its final week for 2026, can certainly be described as a tremendous success. The young in the Tampa area were able to spend their summer alongside Christ and enjoying themselves. By doing so, they learned to value a life in which grace and unity with Him is not something boring or old-fashioned. Don Bosco’s saying “Run, jump, shout, but do not sin!” truly came to life, made possible by the cheerful assistance of the counselors and by the camp leadership and Faith Team. But in the end, it's all made possible by the intercession of our mother, Mary Help of Christians, for Don Bosco says that every one of those sent this summer to that bit of paradise in Tampa made it there only by her hand. And for that, thanks be to God.

Camp Mary Help’s counselor team gets together for a group photo. Credit: Stephen Watkins

Homily for Feast of Transfiguration

Homily for the Feast of the Transfiguration

Aug. 6, 2026
Collect
Dan 7: 9-10, 13-14
2 Peter 1: 16-19
Matt 17: 1-9
Christian Brothers, St. Joseph’s Residence, N.R.

Church of the Transfiguration
(Mott Street, NYC)

The Lord’s Transfiguration confirms a mystery of faith for Jesus’ 3 favored apostles, confirms for them that he walks in the steps of Moses and Elijah, confirms that he’s the Father’s “beloved Son” who much pleases his Father (Matt 17:5), and confirms the apostles’ faith in what lay in the future.[1]

Peter, James, and John are “eyewitnesses of his majesty” (2 Pet 1:16) in a way that exceeds what they’ve perceived in his miracles.  They can see that he shares the glory of God the Father (1:17), the glory foretold by Daniel in his prophecy of the Son of Man’s presentation to the Ancient One to receive “dominion, glory, and kingship” (Dan 7:13-14).

At the same time, the Transfiguration “wonderfully prefigured our full adoption” as God’s children, destined in God’s plan “to become co-heirs with” Christ (Collect).  Even a non-Christian like Benjamin Franklin perceived God’s intention.  That Deist left this epitaph for his tombstone:  “The Body of B. Franklin, Printer; Like the Cover of an old Book, Its Contents torn out, And stript of its Lettering and Gilding, Lies here, Food for Worms.  But the Work shall not be wholly lost:  For it will, as he believ’d, appear once more, In a new & more perfect Edition, Corrected and Amended by the Author.”  God means for us, too, to be perfected, to “shine like the sun” and be clothed in “white like light” (Matt 17:2).

This perception of the Lord Jesus is for us “a lamp shining in a dark place,” the darkness of our human frailty and sins.  He is “the morning star that rises in [our] hearts” (2 Pet 1:19) giving us hope of sharing a glorious future with him as God’s beloved children.

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  [1] Anastasius of Sinai, sermon, LOH 4:1285.

Three Martyrs Priests of Monte Sole to Be Beatified

Three Martyred Priests of Monte Sole to Be Beatified

Including Salesian Fr. Elijah Comini

(ANS – Rome – August 5, 2026) – On Sunday, September 27, in the basilica of San Petronio in Bologna the following will be beatified: Fr. Ubaldo Marchioni, a diocesan priest, Fr. Elijah Comini, a Salesian, and Fr. Martin Capelli, a Dehonian, 3 priests killed in 1944 during the Monte Sole massacres.

Elijah Comini was born on May 7, 1910, in Calvenzano di Vergato (Bologna). There, he soon entered the “school of fire” – a school of faith and charity – led by Msgr. Fidenzio Mellini. He was directed toward the Salesians at Finale Emilia. His encounter with Don Bosco inspired young Elijah, who embarked on his formation with the Salesians. He was ordained a priest in Brescia on March 16, 1935. He obtained a degree in literature from the Royal University of Milan with a thesis on Tertullian’s De resurrectione carnis and was assigned to the Salesian houses in Chiari (Brescia) and Treviglio (Bergamo).

He never forgot his native place and returned there in 1944. His pastoral support, as events came to a head, led to a heroic priestly act in defense of the people and, ultimately, to his martyrdom for having remained, as a “good shepherd,” alongside his flock. He was killed, along with other innocent people, by the German SS on October 1, 1944, near the Canapiera reservoir in Pioppe di Salvaro. He had been taken prisoner together with Fr. Martin Capelli, SCJ, while he was bringing the last sacraments to those dying in the Creda massacre, and was severely humiliated. He used his body as a shield to protect a man who was saved. He ended his earthly life reciting the Litany and crying out “Have mercy!”

A word from him:

“Pray, pray for me, for I have a mission to fulfil.”

“… one pays the price for practicing charity; soon I shall go to receive my reward.”

Ubaldo Marchioni was born on May 19, 1918, in Vimignano di Grizzana (Bologna). Upon entering the seminary, he became friends with John Fornasini (a martyred priest who was beatified in 2021) and met Luciano Gherardi, who later became a leading figure in the archdiocese of Bologna. He was ordained in Bologna on June 28, 1942. From May 1944, he served as parish priest of San Martin di Caprara and of Santa Maria Assunta di Casaglia, in the hills. Fr. Ubaldo, aged just 26, did not abandon his flock when the wolf came, knowing he faced a high risk of being killed. He died on September 29, 1944, at Santa Maria Assunta in Casaglia, where – on his way to celebrate Mass for the children in Cerpiano – he had stopped to consume the consecrated Hosts, thereby saving them from the fury of the advancing Nazis. Separated from his people (who were in turn massacred a short distance away), he was killed at the foot of the church altar, beside the ciborium pierced by the very same bullets. Years later, Fr. Ubaldo’s father, Augusto, would be among the very few to advocate forgiveness for Walter Reder, one of those responsible for the massacre, thereby sowing a small yet significant seed of hope for reconciliation, renewal, and peace.

A gift of his words:

“If my people remain, I must remain with them. – But they’ll kill you! – I know, that’s how it will end, but I cannot move from there.”

“I must fulfil my duty. I must reach Casaglia to consume the consecrated elements. Pray. It will be as God wills.”

Nicola Capelli was born in Nembro (Bergamo) on September 20, 1912. At the age of 12, he was admitted to the school of the Priests of the Sacred Heart of Jesus (Dehonians), saying: “I have come to be a priest, and that’s enough for me.” In religious life, Nicola took the name Martin Maria and, deeply moved by a talk on the Mexican martyrs, asked Our Lady of Guadalupe for the grace to become a martyr himself, thus directing his consecration – within the reality of daily life – toward a profound self-giving. He was ordained in Imola on June 26, 1938. A man with a desire to serve on the front lines of the apostolate, he was called upon by his superiors to study at the Biblical Institute in Rome and to take up a teaching post. In 1944, he agreed to settle for a time in Salvaro to assist Msgr. Fidenzio Mellini: there, he established a priestly fraternity with Fr. Comini and accepted Fr. Marchioni’s invitation to preach. On September 29, 1944, he rushed with Fr. Comini toward the “Creda” to bring the ultimate comforts of the faith to those dying in that massacre. In his final moments, he implored “Forgiveness,” and as he lay dying traced a great sign of blessing in the form of a cross over the many brothers whose lives were violently cut short that day, along with his own.

A gift of his words:

“O Mary, be my earthly Mother too. I renew my consecration to you.”

“O Virgin, Queen of the Mexican martyrs, grant that one day I too may be a martyr for Christ the King and for you, Immaculate Virgin.”

For further information, please write to: postulatore@sdb.org 

Positio super Virtutibus of Bp. Giuseppe Cognata

Submission of the “Positio super virtutibus” of the Servant of God Bishop Giuseppe Cognata
Salesian bishop and founder of the Salesian Oblates of the Sacred Heart

(ANS – Vatican City – August 3, 2026) – On July 31, the volumes of the Positio super Vita, Virtutibus, et Fama Sanctitatis of the Servant of God Giuseppe Cognata, SDB (1885–1972), bishop of Farsalo, formerly bishop of Bova, and founder of the Salesian Oblates of the Sacred Heart, were submitted to the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints in the Vatican.

The Positio had Bp. Maurizio Tagliaferri as its relator, Fr. Pierluigi Cameroni, SDB, as postulator, and Dr. Cristiana Marinelli as collaborator. The structural elements of the Positio – which presents, in a detailed and comprehensive manner, the entire body of documentary and testimonial evidence concerning the virtuous life of the Servant of God – are: a brief introduction by the relator; the General Introduction; the Informatio super virtutibus, that is, the theological section in which the virtuous life of the Servant of God is demonstrated; the two Summaria containing testimonial and documentary evidence; the Biographia ex Documentis; the Final Sections and the iconographic material. Attached to the 2 volumes of the Positio is the petition for the review of the process against the Servant of God, prepared by a group of Catholic jurists led by Dr. Giuseppe Viola.

In particular, the Biographia ex documentis presents the biographical account of the Servant of God on a historical, critical, and documentary basis. It is systematically divided into 8 chapters with the following content: Chapter I – Historical, geographical, political, and ecclesial context; Chapter II – Birth and early years (1885–1909); Chapter III – The early years of his priestly ministry (1909–1933); Chapter IV – The Servant of God’s episcopal ministry in Bova (1933–1939); Chapter V – The events at Casal Bruciato (1936–1939); Chapter VI – The beginning of the Servant of God’s long ordeal (1940–1949); Chapter VII – Toward Rehabilitation (1949–1961); Chapter VIII – The Last 10 Years of the Servant of God’s Life (1962–1972).

Following its submission, the Positio will be examined by the theological consultors of the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints. It will then be examined by the cardinals and bishops. These detailed stages of study and evaluation will enable the Supreme Pontiff, should the outcome be favorable, to declare Bp. Cognata a “Venerable Servant of God.” A miracle attributed to his intercession will then be required to pave the way for beatification.

This news has been met with great joy within the Congregation of the Salesian Oblates of the Sacred Heart and among the Association of Salesian Oblate Laity, within the Salesian Family, in the dioceses of Tivoli and Palestrina – which is responsible for the inquiry – and in the archdiocese of Reggio Calabria-Bova, where Bp. Cognata carried out his episcopal ministry.

The Servant of God Giuseppe Cognata was born in the Templi district of Girgenti (Agrigento) in Sicily on October 14, 1885, the 2d son of a prominent middle-class family. His father, Vitale Cognata, a lawyer by profession, was a member of the local Masonic Lodge, as was his paternal grandfather, a doctor and senator of the Kingdom of Italy. From childhood, Giuseppe demonstrated a wealth of moral and human qualities, nurtured by the Christian upbringing he received chiefly from his mother, Rosa Montana Cognata, a devout and intelligent woman with a strong and lively temperament. At the age of 12, he entered the Salesian school in Randazzo (Catania) and on May 5, 1908, made his perpetual vows among the sons of Don Bosco. On August 29, 1909, he was ordained a priest in Acireale and carried out his educational mission in Sicily, the Veneto, the Marche, Umbria, and Rome. In 1933, he was appointed bishop of Bova and, on December 8 of the same year founded the Congregation of the Salesian Oblates of the Sacred Heart. In 1939, on the basis of false accusations, he was condemned by the Congregation of the Holy Office, stripped of his episcopal office, and expelled from the institute he had founded. He humbly accepted returning to the status of a simple Salesian priest without office or honors, and withdrew into the silence and solitude of the Salesian houses in Trento, Rovereto, and Castello di Godego.

In 1962, he was reinstated by St. John XXIII and, in 1963, St. Paul VI appointed him titular bishop of Farsalo. In this capacity, he took part in the Second Vatican Council. He died on July 22, 1972, in Pellaro (Reggio Calabria), the original base of the Salesian Oblates’ missionary activity. He is buried at the generalate of the Oblate Sisters in Tivoli.

In the light of mercy and the mystery of the Heart of Christ, Bp. Cognata stands as a unique witness to the power of forgiveness and reconciliation. He was not afraid to forgive those who accused him, those who slandered him, and those who condemned him. As he made his way up to Calvary, he gazed upon the Crucified Christ, and, following his example, offered consolation and forgiveness. “Rejoice and be glad” (Matt 5:12), says Jesus to those who are persecuted or humiliated for his sake. He wrote in a memoir from 1949: “I never cease to thank the Lord for granting me an inner peace, never before experienced so fully and deeply, and for the tranquility of a life free from special responsibilities, in which I can attend well to my spiritual needs and to the great matter of my eternal salvation. And how many consolations the merciful Lord has bestowed upon me during these years of salutary penance! Misericordias Domini in aeternum cantabo!”