(Don Bosco Arts & Science College, Chennai) – Fr. Ricardo Campoli, representing the Social Communication Sector in Rome, visited the Salesian Province of Chennai on 2-3 March 2026. This visit was a deep, spirited encounter with the “digital pulpit,” where the timeless Salesian charism intersects with modern technology to build a “better home for everyone.”
The visit commenced at the Salesian Institute of Graphic Arts (SIGA), a legendary institution that has stood as a beacon of technical excellence since 1952. Addressing an assembly of young printers and graphic designers, Fr. Ricardo offered a message that bridged the gap between 19th-century Turin and 21st-century Chennai. He noted that while the world is in constant transformation, the true difference lies in how we stand in relation to that change. Drawing from the life of Don Bosco, he offered the students a triad of virtues for their professional and spiritual journey: Curiosity, Sacrifice, and Humility. He urged the students to embrace these three pillars to ensure their technical skills serve a higher purpose. “Curiosity finds the suffering,” he noted, “Sacrifice builds the dream, and Humility recognizes that God is the true architect.” Following this stirring address, he moved through the SIGA press, interacting personally with the staff and observing the intricate dynamics of the printing technologies that have long defined the institute’s legacy.
The narrative then shifted from the printed word to the moving image at Don Bosco College of Arts and Science (DBCAS). Here, Fr. Ricardo engaged with the students doing Master’s in Visual Communication, presiding over a special screening of the film Zatti, Our Brother, which he directed in 2022. The session transformed into an intellectual and spiritual laboratory. Students interrogated the script, exploring hidden plot details and the spirit behind the characters. Fr. Ricardo navigated these questions by highlighting how the life of Saint Artemide Zatti—a simple infirmarian—could be translated into a cinematic language that speaks to the modern soul.
He emphasized that for a Salesian communicator, the “lens” must always be focused on the joy of service. He left the students with a profound mission: “You are the architects of a new culture. Do not let the glitter of technology blind you to the needs of the human heart. Use your curiosity to find the forgotten, your sacrifice to build their future, and your humility to let God work through you. Don’t just shine for the world; be the light that leads others home.”
Finally, he made a significant visit to the Don Bosco Institute of Communication Arts (DBICA), the communication hub of the Province of Chennai. As he explored the latest developments within the centre, he inquired deeply into current and future projects. Fr. Ricardo observed how DBICA serves as a vital nerve center for evangelization, ensuring that the Salesian voice remains resonant and prophetic within the digital continent. His visit made a strong impact, reinvigorating the Chennai Province’s mission to communicate hope and provide a voice to the voiceless in an ever-changing world.
Source: ANS – “Agenzia iNfo Salesiana”