Rome, Italy – 23 March 2017 - On the occasion of the eightieth birthday of Professor Morand Wirth, SDB, the Institute of Spirituality of the Faculty of Theology at the Salesian Pontifical University (UPS), organized a meeting for the launch of the book "La Parola e la Storia. Uno sguardo salesiano” (The Word and History. A Salesian look) a collection of studies edited by Professor Aldo Giraudo and published by LAS, as a grateful tribute to Professor Wirth. Tribute was paid to Fr  Wirth’s willingness to be part of the Institute and to collaborate for twenty years in the field of history and of Salesian spirituality, with a contribution that was much appreciated by teachers and students. The meeting began with a message from the academic authority. This was followed by the presentation of a miscellany by Professor Giraudo.  Fr Francesco Motto from the Salesian Historical Institute gave a talk on "Morand Wirth and Salesian history", and finally Fr Placide Carava gave a talk entitled "Brother, superior, friend."

(ANS - Rome) - Develop a relationship of empathy with young people; work in the community and encourage the involvement of young people in pastoral activity; initiate broad processes; and in all this, have courage: these are the four constituent elements of "journeying with young people" that Fr Fabio Attard, Councillor General for Youth Ministry, offered the International Youth Forum: "From Krakow to Panama - the Synod on the way with young people "(Rome, 5-9 April), organized by the Pontifical Congregation for the Laity and Family Life and the General Secretariat of the Synod of Bishops.

Rome, Italy - April 2017 - On 8 April, in the Basilica of St Mary Major, Pope Francis presided at the Prayer Vigil in preparation for World Youth Day which this year was celebrated at diocesan level on Palm Sunday. Pope Francis reminded young people that the world needs "to move quickly. Never get tired of hearing that life offers you a mission ... The world can be changed only if young people are on the move! "

Frosinone, Italy - March 27, 2017 - "White, black and yellow, all are important." This was the unanimous shout of the children from A. Maiuri primary school in Frosinone on 27 March last when they attended a lecture on children's rights. The meeting, organized by the Salesians, involved all the children of the elementary classes in games, stories and videos about the main points of the Rights Convention (1989). The Salesian Outreach - SCS / CNOS Federation is working on behalf of many children and young people in difficulty, with 31 family homes, 30 day-care centres and 17 reception centres for Unaccompanied Foreign Minors, scattered throughout Italy. In preparation for the meeting the children were told the story of Don Bosco and a tree was decorated with colourful balloons and some important quotes from Don Bosco.

Rome, Italy - April 2017 - On 4 April, the Rector Major, Fr Ángel Fernández Artime, received a visit from the delegation of Panama, which is part of the preparatory committee of the 2019 World Youth Day. Among those present were the Ambassador of Panama to the Holy See, Sig.ra Miroslava Rosas; Cardinal José Luis Lacunza, Bishop of David; Archbishop José Domingo Ulloa of Panama City; Bishop Rafael Valdivieso of Chitré and vice-president of the Panamanian Episcopal Conference; Fr Ramón Aguilar of the Archdiocese of Panama; Ms Carmen Inchausti from the Embassy; and Mr Victor Chang, executive secretary of WYD 2019.

(ANS - Rome) - When the resourcefulness and ability of young people meet the expertise and careful guidance of good teachers, great results become possible, despite the youthfulness of the people involved. "Wisdom and science, foresee and provide" said Don Bosco. In recent days, news has come from different parts of the world of some important results achieved by students of Salesian institutions.