Capriglio, Italy - November 2021 - On November 25, at the Parish of San Martino, a Mass was celebrated in memory of Venerable Margherita Occhiena, mother of St John Bosco, on the 165th anniversary of her death. Known as "Mamma Margherita", she died in Turin at the Oratory of Valdocco on 25 November 1856, and was declared Venerable on 23 October 2006. The Eucharist was presided over by Fr Enrico Ponte, Master of the novices of Colle Don Bosco, and concelebrated by Fr Gianni Rolandi and Fr José Maria Sabé, respectively the Rector and Economer of Colle Don Bosco. Professor emeritus Fr Mario Maritano, and Fr Tiziano Baracco, Economer of the Novitiate, and the novices were present as well. The diocesan Vicar of the Pastoral Unit "Mamma Margherita", Fr Domenico Valsania, gave the introduction, while the “Mamma Margherita” choir from Capriglio animated the celebration. In his homily, Fr Ponte recalled the figure and above all the courage of Mamma Margaret, who capable of saying "yes" to God unconditionally in every moment of her life, especially in difficult moments. The president of the association "Friends of the Museum of Mamma Margherita", Diego Occhiena, then illustrated various aspects of the Venerable's spirituality.

(ANS - Rome) - On 22 November, the Salesian Pontifical University (UPS) presented its energy efficiency plan for the entire university campus to members of the academic community. During the evening, the university officially joined the "Laudato Sì Initiative Platform", promoted by Pope Francis to promote the values ​​of integral ecology.

(ANS - Castello di Godego) - On Friday 12 November, about 50 university students, Salesians, and Oblate Sisters of the Sacred Heart (SOSC) had a Seminar and testimony sharing meeting on the figure of the servant of God Msgr. Giuseppe Cognata at the "Enrico di Sardagna" Salesian Institute. The Salesian bishop spent twenty years of his life in this Salesian house (1952 - 1972), and through his example influenced many confreres, young people, collaborators of the mission and even the bishop of Treviso, Most Rev. Antonio Mistrorigo, with whom he shared a great friendship and who later played a fundamental role in relations with the Holy See.

(ANS - Turin) - The cultural activities promoted and organized by the "Don Bosco House Museum" continues. The newly created museum at Turin-Valdocco by the Rector Major of the Salesians, Fr Ángel Fernández Artime, will host an exhibition "Matthew 25. Let’s be human", by Massimiliano Ungarelli from 2 December 2021 to 6 January 2022.

(ANS - Turin) – On Saturday, 27 November, a conference will be held on the figure of the venerable Salesian Fr Giuseppe Quadrio in the Aula Magna of the Faculty of Theology of the Crocetta in Turin on the occasion of the centenary of his birth.

Turin, Italy - November 2021 - From November 18-23, the Provincial Councils of the Mediterranean Region participated in Annual Spiritual Retreat at Valdocco. This year, the Provincials & their team have been spending a few days praying, reflecting, and sharing on specific themes while being immersed in the holy places of associated with Don Bosco. The meditations are preached by the Rector Major, Fr Ángel Fernández Artime. Each day is marked by a specific morning meditation on a theme that concerns the charismatic aspect of the Provincials and the Councils, which highlights elements in relation to Don Bosco, dwelling also on the aspect of consecration as Salesians, in the light of the Word of God. The central moment of each day is the dialogue and the direct meeting with the spiritual guide, Fr Á. F. Artime. Finally, each evening ends with the "Salesian good night", animated by each Provincial of the Mediterranean Region. Very intense moments of prayer and fraternity have thus been lived together in the Salesian places. The moments of communion, visits to the Don Bosco House Museum and the participation in the "Don Bosco Global Youth Film Festival" have also been noteworthy. The Retreat represents an important and spiritually intense occasion to be united in Don Bosco and be ready to live the Salesian charismatic unity around the 10th Successor of Don Bosco.