Dilla, Ethiopia – May 2023 - The parish feast of Mary Help of Christian at Don Bosco Dilla, Ethiopia, was celebrated on May 28, 2023. The celebration started from the compound of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians. Prayers were said and the parish choir members sings songs for the occasion. After some prayers, the procession proceeded from the Sisters' compound to the parish church. Some members of the parish council carried the statue of Mary while priests, sisters, and faithful followed. The Holy Mass was celebrated and after Mass, a simple lunch was offered to all those who attended the celebration. Around 200 people from the outstation came to attend the celebration. Altogether there were about a thousand who attended the feast day celebration.

Abba Lijo Vadakkan SDB

Fatumaca, East Timor - May 2023 - May 24, the Feast of Mary Help of Christians, was a very special day for the Salesian Family of Baucau, Laga, Quelicai, Venilale and Fatumaca, which gathered at the Fatumaca Shrine to attend the celebrations presided over by Cardinal Virgílio do Carmo da Silva, SDB, Archbishop of Dili. Numerous priests, students, faithful, and nuns were present for the occasion, including the FMA Provincial, Sister Alma Castagna. In his beautiful homily, Cardinal do Carmo da Silva reminded the faithful of Pope Francis' invitation to pray to the Mother of God in Marian shrines, to prepare for the first stage of the Ordinary Assembly of the Synod of Bishops. Then, quoting the prayer of St. Bernard, he recalled how Our Lady never abandons those who ask for her intercession. Finally, the Cardinal shared the meaning of being a "synodal Church," that is, being like a family that prays together, helps each other, walks together, showing solidarity, thinking of the needs of others. Like Mary, we need to open our eyes to see the needs of others and help them.

Kolkata, India - May 2023 - Three years from now, the centenary of the first Salesian Province in India will be celebrated. To prepare for this important anniversary, the Salesian Province of Calcutta inaugurated celebrations on May 27 in the presence of Msgr. Thomas D'Souza, Archbishop of Calcutta, who presided over the Eucharist at the historic Marian Shrine in Bandel. Also present at the event were Fr. Joseph Pauria, Superior of the Salesian Province of Calcutta, Fr. Raphael Hyde, Provincial of the Society of Jesus, and forty-five other priests. Fr. Franklin Menezes, Pro-Vicar of Calcutta Cathedral, thanked the Salesians who took over the Catholic Orphan Press and Cathedral Parish from the Jesuits on Nov. 11, 1925. The Salesians then returned the Parish to the Archdiocese in 1972. Finally, a group of young Salesians presented cultural dances representing five language groups in the Province: Bengali, English, Hindi, Nepali, and Santhali. The program concluded with the centennial hymn composed by Fr. I.C. Jacob and sung by the youth of the "Auxilium" Church under the direction of Peter Gomes. Representatives of the Salesian Family and various institutions were present for the occasion.