(ANS - Rome) - "You are confreres in formation as priest Salesians. Careful: I did not say Salesian priests, but priest Salesians." These are the words addressed by the Rector Major, Fr Ángel Fernández Artime, to the young fourth-year confreres of the Community "Blessed Zeffirino Namuncurá" of the Theological Studentate of Gerini, welcomed yesterday afternoon, May 2, at the Salesian Headquarters.

Gela, Italy - April 2022 - On Saturday, April 30, at the Salesian house "San Domenico Savio" in Gela, Msgr. Rosario Gisana, Bishop of Piazza Armerina, presided over the priestly ordination of Salesian Rocco Tasca.

Rome, Italy - May 2022 - On May 1, the work of the Provincial Chapter of the Vice-Province "Mary Seat of Wisdom" of the Salesian Pontifical University (UPS) concluded. The second work session began on the afternoon of April 29, with the approval of the first session’s minutes, held on January 7 and 8, and the refinement of the contents and the methodological choice by the Assembly, to arrive on the morning of May 1 at the voting of the final document. During this time, the Chapter members took into consideration all the work done in the various communities of the Vice-Province during the intermediate period between the two sessions. The theme of the chapter "Which Salesian for the Salesian Pontifical University today? Identity and Formation" was divided into six thematic nuclei: 1) The identity of the Salesian at UPS and his "relational" constitution; 2) The search for God and the itinerary of faith; 3) "Permanent" formation as a mentality, commitment, and lifestyle; 4) Accompaniment; 5) Mission; 6) Economy and administration. The regulator of the Chapter, Fr Giuseppe Ruta, led the work in the plenary assembly, while the three commissions were engaged in defining and focusing the different nuclei under the guidance of the three Presidents: Fr Diego Vanzetta, Fr Antonio Escudero, and Fr Jesus Manuel Garcia. On May 1, Fr Arokiam Maria Kanaga, Superior of the Vice-Province, concluded the work of the Chapter. The final document will now be sent to the Rector Major for approval, but most of the operational choices will be implemented starting from the next meeting of the Council of the Vice-Province, as Fr Kanaga reiterated.

Rome, Italy - April 2022 - To the legitimate satisfaction of the organizers, the international study convention "Fr Alberto Maria De Agostini, the man, nature, art, science" organized by the Salesian Historical Institute on April 25-27, 2022, concluded at the Salesian Pontifical University (UPS). The reports of 16 scholars, university professors, and museum directors, Italian, Argentinean and Chilean, illustrated the various facets of the personality of this "great Salesian", known to the academic and scientific world, but less known within the Salesian Congregation and Family. The numerous sponsorships offered to the event, among which two national ministries, the Piedmont Region and the City of Rome, and the greetings of the President of the Italian Geographic Society and the President of the University Consortium Italy-Argentina (CUIA) mark the civil value of the historical figure. The photographic, archival, and bibliographical exhibition, much appreciated by visitors, will remain open in the hall of the University until May 15, before being exhibited wherever it is requested. While waiting for the Acts of the Conference, scheduled for the end of the year, the papers can be found on the website of the Salesian Historical Institute.

Genoa, Italy - May 2022 - The Don Bosco Institute in Genoa has been hosting 15 Ukrainian refugees since March: 11 adults and 4 girls. Dialysis is required for ten of them and in collaboration with the community of Sant’Egidio, transfers to the hospitals of Genoa are organized three times a week. There is a mother with a degree in Engineering and 4 girls who attend theater and dance classes. For most of them, the Community of Sant'Egidio organizes Italian courses during the week. Refugees think about cleaning the rooms and making themselves available for volunteer services where needed. "It's a very reserved group; they suffer in silence and they have a lot of hope to be able to return soon to their homeland," said Fr Sergio Pellini, SDB, rector of the Don Bosco Institute. On the initiative of the Liguria Region, on Thursday, April 28, a Ukrainian choir, after escaping to Poland, was invited to the Carlo Felice Theater to perform a beautiful charity evening of folk songs and dances, and saw the participation of almost 2000 people. 

(ANS - Rome) - More than 130 young people in formation among the Salesians of Don Bosco (SDB) and the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians (FMA) experienced a weekend of authentic growth in the understanding of communication at the service of mission and fraternity, in the context of the Salesian Days of Communication 2022, held at the facilities of the Salesian Pontifical University (UPS) on Friday 29th and Saturday 30th April. Fr Gildasio Mendes and Sister Ausilia De Siena, SDB and FMA General Councilors for Social Communication, also took part in the work sessions.