Rome (Italy). On 12 June 2021, the Webinar on the theme “The value of the associative press“ was held to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the magazine Union, the press organ of the Mornese World Confederation of Past Pupils of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians.
The Confederal President, Mrs. Maria Maghini, introduces the event by welcoming the participants and bringing the grateful voice of the Past Pupils, “We want to dedicate this Webinar to all the FMA on the occasion of the 150th anniversary of the FMA Institute, 150 years of love and service to the Church and to young people.”
In her greeting, the Mother General of the Institute of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians, Sr. Yvonne Reungoat, expressed her gratitude for the 100th anniversary of the Union magazine:
“It is an instrument of communion among all the Past Pupils of the FMA. Everywhere in the world it brings the freshness of the life of the Unions and offers everyone ideas for reflection and meditation, socialization and co-responsibility towards the good that is being done in the name of Don Bosco and Mother Mazzarello. It makes it possible to share joys and goals, as well as efforts and fears, hopes and expectations. (…) Through Union, we continue to sow the good seed of the Mornesian Salesian charism, in the shadow of which the young people of today can find their true home, the ‘house of God’s love’ and mutual love, service, and self-giving.”
Dr. Paola Mancini, FMA Past Pupil, outlines a brief history of Union magazine. “The first sheet of printed paper produced by the FMA Past Pupils was born in 1911 with the name ‘The echo of the Past Pupils’, 8 black and white pages, with the programs and the outline of the reports of the First Congress, a simple communication sheet on the life of the Association to prepare for the first International Conference in Turin. (…) Fr. Philip Rinaldi, Don Bosco’s 3rd successor, and the first Past Pupils feel the need for a more meaningful connection between the Unions, which are multiplying. In 1920, during the meeting of the National Council, the decision was made to print a periodical. Mrs. Maria Teresa Benvenuti, Honorary President of the firstborn Union, writes about the title, ‘Fr. Rinaldi, smiling and kind, lets us talk and discuss, then proposes the very simple title, according to his style, but which meant everything: ‘UNION’.”
The Moderator of the Round Table, Dr. Massimiliano Cavallo, Director of the Union magazine, underlines the urgency of looking after ‘good press’, of using good words that give shape to thought and identity. “Don Bosco has been defined by many the apostle of the good press. The purpose of writing for him was, and must remain for us, to do good through the word fixed on paper, today also online. As daughters and sons of Don Bosco and Mother Mazzarello, we must follow the same path.”
The speakers are called to express their opinion on the future of the Catholic associative press as a critical tool, bearer of the values of an increasingly complex reality, presenting the history, the reference values, and the reality of the periodical they curate.
Dr. Marco Lasevoli, Director of Il Segno, a monthly magazine of Catholic Action, highlights the fundamental role of the associative press, “I believe that the written word is the future of civil coexistence, because in the end, it will be the only trace that will remain, also to found the renewal of our Associations. Some texts by authors that we read are still a sign of prophecy” and the need to use a clear, simple, short, profound, and incisive word, anchored to current events.
Dr. Valerio Martorana, Director of Voci Fraterne, the magazine of the Italian Federation of Past Pupils of Don Bosco, that celebrated 100 years in June 2020, recalling the Message for the LV World Day of Social Communications, highlights the contribution of the editorial staff of the associates, who go out on the street, ‘wear out the soles of their shoes’, verify situations, even of poverty. “Pope Francis reminds us that every tool is useful and precious only if it pushes us to go and see what otherwise we would not know, if it allows meetings that otherwise would not take place. (…) We have a future if we believe that we are an alive and incisive present, credible and reliable witnesses.”
Dr. Claudio Maria Picco, Chief Editor of Nuovo Progetto, tells of the birth in 1978, of the Sermig magazine, the Arsenal of Peace founded by Ernesto Olivero in Turin, an expression of the Founder’s desire to have a periodical that would spread the charisma of hope, narrating the positive, which is not lacking in society. “The good done well lives and grows also in the story, in the desire to ‘do good well’, to give back time and resources”.
Dr. Chiara Genisio, Vice President of the Italian Federation of Catholic Weeklies (FISC) defines the Round Table as a ‘breath of fresh air’ for the associative press which, despite the difficulties, finds itself confirmed in the mission of conveying charismatic values that nourish society, helping to read reality in depth. “I think it is important not to waste this heritage that helps us to be physically close and helps to make this transition: not what the Association can give me, but what I can give to the Association.”
Sr. Maria Luisa Miranda, General Councilor for the Salesian Family, summarizes her presentation in four words at the end of the meeting:
- Memory and future “How important it is to have the first issue of Union magazine in hand, leafing through the various editions to date, the Association’s journey is not lost. Memory encourages the future. If the elderly narrate, the young dream; if there is no narration, the young do not dream.”
- Texts and fabric “Texts create fabric. If we do not have texts that connect us, we cannot make a fabric (…) to give life, continuity, and future to the Association. In this liquid, almost gaseous modernity, it is important to bring a thought that has strong roots capable of making new shoots grow. ”
