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(ANS – Vatican City) – A millennial and a student, both saints during the Jubilee. Carlo Acutis and Pier Giorgio Frassati, models and points of reference for the faith of thousands of young people around the world, will be canonised next year: Acutis during Adolescent Day, scheduled from 25 to 27 April, Frassati on Youth Day, which will be from 28 July to 3 August. Pope Francis announced this on 20 November at the end of the General Audience, eliciting thunderous applause in St Peter's Square crowded with thousands of faithful sheltering under umbrellas.
Nicaragua – November 2024 - Saturday 9 November the Salesian Cooperators (ASC) from the two local centres in Nicaragua met to celebrate their Happy Death Retreat, an annual event filled with reflection and fraternity. This activity was convened by Fr Foster Cerda, SDB, National Delegate of the Association, and brought together the ASC from the Margarita Breast Centre in Masaya and the Don Bosco Youth Centre in Managua, together with some Aspirants. During this meeting everyone shared significant moments, motivated by the desire to strengthen the mission and plan the work of the Association in their respective cities. New ways to encourage vocations were also explored. The Exercise for a Happy Death, led by Fr Cerda, who energetically and creatively challenged the participants to set goals and spread new seeds to promote vocations, which will allow them to renew and grow together. The meeting culminated with some concluding words by Carolina Castillo.
Chhota Udepur, India – November 2024 – On 17 November at Don Bosco in Chhota Udepur, in the Gujarat region, the Association of the Past Pupils of Don Bosco in the Salesian Province of Mumbai organised an animation programme for Young Past Pupils (YPP). The activity was conducted by Mr Ketan Gala, Regional Councillor for Past Pupils for the Asia-Oceania region. The event involved the active participation of the units from Makarpura, Snehalaya, Dakor, Kawant, Chhota Udepur and Alirajpur, with about 82 young participants. Fr Donald Fernandes, Pravin Agarwal, Madan Nair and the members of the Executive Committee were also present.
Goma, DR Congo – November 2024 - On 20 November, 120 final year students from Don Bosco Ngangi College, at Ngangi's Salesian work, took part in an ecology awareness session. The event, organised by the management of the structure with the material support of ACTEC, aimed to raise awareness among young people about the need to protect the environment and promote sustainable ecological practices. Under the theme "Ecological education for a sustainable future", this initiative is part of an approach to promoting environmental education, with the aim of preparing students to become agents of change for a more environmentally friendly future. The session facilitator, Fidèle Kitsa, an environmental expert, guided the students through crucial information while promoting a concrete commitment to the protection of nature. At the end of the meeting, the containers were distributed to students to encourage them to adopt rational waste management, both in classrooms and in school yards.