Pampanga, Philippines – June 2023 – On 3 June at Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Parish in Pampanga, Philippines, four young Salesians from the two Provinces of the Philippines were ordained to the diaconate. The Archbishop of San Fernando, Archbishop Florentino Galang Lavarias, presided over the ceremony, also concelebrated by Fr Gerardo Martin, Superior of the North Philippines Province (FIN), and Fr Fidel Orendain, Superior of the South Philippines Province (FIS). Archbishop Lavarias, during the homily, stressed that the diaconate is a lifelong commitment, beyond their eventual priestly ordination. Finally, he thanked the families of the new deacons for their generosity in entrusting their sons to the Church.

Różanystok, Poland – May 2023 - The 14th edition of the Festival of Youth Without Borders, organised by the Saint Stanislaus Kostka Province,  Warsaw, Poland (PLE) and the Saint John Bosco Salesian Educational Centre in Różanystok has just ended. The festival took place from 29 to 31 May and its organisation was also supported by local authorities. The Różanystok festival has been organised for many years and has gained popularity not only within the country but also abroad. This year's Youth Without Borders Festival attracted around 300 participants, for three days of workshops, shows, performances and concerts. It is an innovative artistic effort, bringing together representatives from different cultural backgrounds. As usual, the audience had a lot of fun. The event brought together young people from different cities and countries under one common motto – “Without Borders” – so that they could, through art and play, share happiness and joy, get to know each other better, integrate and learn from each other. It was possible to attend several workshops every day, during the Festival at the end of which the participants showed what they had learned. Artists from Poland and other countries, including Chile, Brazil and the Czech Republic, were invited to the festival. Each artist was also involved as a leader of workshops for young people. Their task was not only to introduce themselves, but also to pass on their skills in different areas: singing, musical instruments, aerial acrobatics, performing arts, circus arts, theatre, beatboxing, breakdancing and capoeira, so as to promote the development of the participants and help them discover their skills and interests.

Mbuji-Mayi, D.R. Congo – May 2023 – Since 5 May three Salesians, Fr Mario Pérez, Fr Marcel Tshebwe and Fr Jean-Claude Mukendi, have separated from the Muetu Don Bosco community to begin the second Salesian presence in the diocese of Mbuji-Mayi. In this first phase the three Salesians live in a rented house not far from the concession belonging to the Salesians. This is to allow them to be close to the young people at the OUA and Katayi Mukishi Salesian Schools, enable them to understand how things are so they can develop the Pastoral Plan, and to supervise construction work at the new Salesian presence. The official beginning of the mission took place on 24 May  with the celebration of the Solemnity of Mary Help of Christians. With the approval of the Superior of the Africa Congo Congo Vice-Province the new community was called Mary Help of Christians Tshikama.