{"id":33247,"date":"2026-08-14T16:12:58","date_gmt":"2026-08-14T23:12:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/salesianbulletin.org\/?p=33247"},"modified":"2026-08-14T16:12:58","modified_gmt":"2026-08-14T23:12:58","slug":"prayer-and-practical-help-the-rector-majors-message-following-the-earthquake-in-colombia","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/salesianbulletin.org\/es\/2026\/08\/14\/prayer-and-practical-help-the-rector-majors-message-following-the-earthquake-in-colombia\/","title":{"rendered":"\u201cPrayer and Practical Help\u201d: The Rector Major\u2019s Message Following the Earthquake in Colombia"},"content":{"rendered":"

(ANS \u2013 Rome)<\/strong> \u2013 Two days after the violent 7.4-magnitude earthquake that struck Choc\u00f3 and large parts of western Colombia on August 10, the Rector Major of the Salesians, Fr. Fabio Attard, SDB<\/strong>, expressed his solidarity with the Salesian Family in Colombia through a video message released on August 12 and addressed in particular to Fr. Jos\u00e9 Ariel Guerrero Castro, SDB<\/strong>, Superior of the Salesian St. Louis Bertrand Province of Medell\u00edn, Colombia<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u201cDear Fr. Ariel, dear confreres and members of the Salesian Family: At this time of great suffering for your beloved nation, Colombia, I wish to express my solidarity with each and every one of you,<\/em>\u201d the Rector Major began, noting that the consequences of the earthquake\u2014which caused numerous deaths and injuries, as well as extensive material damage\u2014represent \u201ca challenge for us to demonstrate our solidarity, both human and spiritual.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

In his message, Fr. Attard<\/strong> first asked the Lord to grant eternal rest to those who died, assuring his listeners, on behalf of the Salesian Congregation, that prayers would be offered for the families and for all those affected by the tragedy. He then thanked \u201call those who, in various ways, are working on the relief efforts, as well as those who are bringing aid to those affected.\u201d \u201cAs a Congregation,\u201d he assured them, \u201cwe will do everything possible to offer aid that alleviates the suffering and pain that the earthquake has caused and continues to cause,\u201d concluding his message by invoking God\u2019s blessings and Mary\u2019s protection upon the whole of Colombia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The earthquake, with its epicenter in the municipality of San Jos\u00e9 del Palmar, in the department of Choc\u00f3, shook much of the country, causing serious damage in various areas of western Colombia. The quake directly affected the Salesian presence in eight municipalities across the country where the Don Bosco mission is active through the educational and pastoral work of the St. Louis Bertrand Province<\/strong>. According to initial figures released by the province, 10 of the 18 Salesian communities in the area have suffered structural damage, affecting facilities built with great dedication to serve young people. Among the most severely damaged sites are the four Salesian works in Cali, the missionary center in Condoto (Choc\u00f3), the Salesian College in Dosquebradas, the presence in Tulu\u00e1, and the works in Popay\u00e1n, Ibagu\u00e9, and the Pedro Justo Berr\u00edo Salesian College<\/strong> in Medell\u00edn.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The impact on the Salesian mission affects more than 4,000 beneficiaries, including families, students, and hundreds of faithful, whose educational and pastoral activities have been disrupted by the damage sustained. So far, there have been no reports of fatalities among the Salesians, staff, students, and beneficiaries of the province\u2019s educational and pastoral works, while information continues to be gathered on the full extent of the damage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Meanwhile, the Colombian authorities have updated the overall death toll from the tragedy to several hundred victims nationwide, with thousands injured and missing, making this the strongest earthquake recorded in the country in the 21st century.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Salesian Congregation, through the St. Louis Bertrand Province<\/strong>, has launched a campaign to collect funds and essential supplies\u2014drinking water, first-aid kits, nonperishable food, and personal hygiene items\u2014at its collection centers in Medell\u00edn, Cali, Cartagena, and Barranquilla to support communities and families affected by the earthquake.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Watch the full video message from Rector Major Fr. Fabio Attard<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can support the Salesians in Colombia through the following websites:<\/p>\n\n\n\n