Mumbai, India – December 2024 – 31 December 2024 was an important day: "Tej Prasarini", the Department of Social Communication in the Salesian Province of Mumbai, India, published the first volume of the "Jubilate Jesus" Album. This initiative aims to bring people together to rejoice in Christ with beautiful melodies and meaningful lyrics. Particularly significant is the first hymn Jesus Christ is Our Only Hope. The lively melody, composed by Sister Cecilia Park, FMA, complements the crisp and inspiring lyrics by Fr Peter Gonsalves, SDB. The song is sung and arranged by Neumann Pinto. The individual songs are presented in the form of a video, with the lyrics displayed on the right side of the screen and the related images generated by Artificial Intelligence on the left side. This arrangement makes it easy for the audience to sing by following the text on the screen while playing the song. The initiative was planned in 2023 and carried out in 2024 by the Salesians from the Province of Mumbai, thanks to the continuous encouragement received from Fr Savio Silveira, SDB, Provincial, and his Council. The release of the second volume is scheduled for 1 July 2025. The first volume is available here.

Kafubu Valley, Democratic Republic of Congo - December 2024 - As it does at the end of every year, from 26 to 31 December the Salesian Youth Ministry sub-commission known as ‘Tujenge’ in the Central African Province organised  a formation session for those in charge of oratories and activities, such as the Estate Ragazzi programme. It was coordinated by Fr Paulin Longwa and FMA Joséphine Bella. The session was attended by 460 young people from SDB and FMA works in the south of the country. The participants in the session were divided into different workshops according to the choices and needs expressed by the oratory or parish of origin. On the evening of 29 December, those present welcomed Bishop Gaston Kashala Ruwezi, SDB, Bishop of Sakania-Kipushi, who celebrated Mass. The official opening of the Jubilee Year was also celebrated. At the end of this formation session, the leaders were invited to work hard to reorganise their oratory activities and mobilise their work for active participation in the Salesian Games to be held between April and May 2025.

Cochabamba, Bolivia – December 2024 – The Salesians of Bolivia gathered at the Fatima-Don Bosco retreat house, in the city of Cochabamba, for their Annual Assembly from 27 to 28 December. The meeting brought together the Salesians from the various works in the country, and became a space for fraternity, reflection and renewal. During the Assembly, crucial issues for the future of the presence in Bolivia were addressed, including the definition of new obediences and the appointment of new rectors of the different works. Among the most important appointments are those of the new Rectors of the works in El Alto, the Don Bosco Project, the Prenovitiate in Muyurina and the new Vice-Provincial Fr José Gallo. New delegates were appointed for Youth Ministry, Social Communication and Missions. Fr Líder Justinian, Superior of the Province of Bolivia (BOL), in his message to his confreres, stressed the importance of change as a driver for growth and development in every work.