(ANS – Genzano di Roma) – 28 confreres, most of them novice directors from Salesian novitiates around the world, began a three week formation course on 17 November 2024 at Genzano di Roma. The three-week course, coordinated by Bro. Raymond Callo, is being offered by the Formation Sector and is scheduled to end on 7 December 2024.

Subiaco, Italy - November 2024 - On 14 November, on Curriculum Day, the teachers and students fromthe Institute of Spiritual Theology at the Pontifical Salesian University (UPS) in Rome were able to admire the Sanctuary set against the overhanging rock of the Sacro Speco. It became a privileged opportunity to explore the theme of monastic spirituality. The art guide illustrated to the visitors the life of the young hermit Benedict in the Speco, already considered a ‘place of prayer and miracles’ since the time of St Gregory the Great. Students and teachers were able to admire the evocative beauty of the sanctuary: the paintings covering the wall surfaces, the frescoes in the two churches, the upper and lower, the paintings in the transept and the evocative Holy Grotto where the young Benedict lived for three years unknown to all but God and the Roman monk. ‘From this wild solitude, among barren mountains, all monasteries originated’ (Gregorovius). Leaving the Sanctuary, and still contemplating the sylvan valley that accompanies the silent flowing of the river Aniene with wonder, the fifty members of the group of teachers and students taking part in the curriculum day, reached the ‘San Biagio’ house of prayer, a small hermitage where a group of FMA have offered hospitality and spiritual animation since 1975 to all those who want to ‘reconnect with the essential’, by focusing on listening to the Word of God following the example of St John Bosco and Mother Mazzarello. The teachers and students of the Institute celebrated the Eucharist at San Biagio, and, after lunch prepared by the sisters, had the opportunity for exchange on the activities carried out in the house of prayer.

Carisolo, Italy - November 2024 - ‘Pausing to be formed’:  with these words Fr Roberto Dal Molin, Superior of the Salesian Province of Lombardy-Emilia (ILE), in the name of the Provincials and the Vice-Provincials, introduced the formation event addressed to the young Salesians of Don Bosco and Daughters of Mary Help of Christians fromthe Provinces of ILE and ILO. It is not a slogan, but the expression of a precise purpose: to carve out a precious time in a demanding and sometimes overwhelming everyday life destined to allow oneself to be powerfully strengthened by the Spirit in the interior life (cf. Eph 3:16). The central theme is new evangelisation: accompanied by the wise text The Soul of the Apostolate by Dom Jean Baptiste Gustave Chautard. The SDB and FMA young people were accompanied by Luca Crivellari and Arianna Scalabrin from the Salesian University Institute in Venice (IUSVE). The formation event set out to refine some important skills for personal development, empowerment and the exercise of leadership, and to help create some necessary conditions for the proclamation of the Gospel. The activities followed one another at a fast pace, allowing participants to work on all the dimensions of the human person that come into play in evangelisation. At the end of the sessions, each participant was able to have any number of impulses to improve their relationship with themselves, others and God for a more productive evangelising activity. The retreat that was the culmination of the days made  the virtues necessary for evangelisation more evident, as Chautard teaches, virtues are formed in intimate contact with Jesus: ‘to speak of Christ, one must live by him’ and ‘put oneself in close communion with His feelings’.

Rome, Italy - November 2024 - On the weekend of 9-10 November, the National Team for Missionary Animation (ENAM) met at the Salesians of Don Bosco Italy National Centre, made up of those in charge of the Salesians of Don Bosco (SDB) and the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians (FMA) of AM, plus two young people from each area of the Salesian Youth Movement (SYM) in Italy. ENAM was officially established a year ago in Genoa and was set up with the aim of growing in the coordination and synergy of Mission Animation in Italy through shared responsibility by SDB, FMA and young people. Specifically, the team met to plan a National Youth Festival to be held in a year's time in Valdocco on the occasion of the celebrations for the 150th anniversary of the first Salesian missionary expedition. The team received support and greetings from Fr Elio Cesari, Director of the National Salesian Centre, and Sr Mara Tagliaferri, President of the Italian Salesian Women's Works Centre (CIOFS). The meeting was characterised by a good family atmosphere and an intense rhythm of work.

Milan, Italy - November 2024 - On Saturday 2 November, Salesian Father Luigi Melesi was inscribed in the Famedio of Milan's Monumental Cemetery, among the many illustrious personalities who have dedicated their lives to the city. From 1978 to 2008, he devoted much of his energies to serving the inmates of the San Vittore prison. His 30 years of experience as a chaplain is also contained in his book, ‘Prete da galera’ (San Paolo edition). The ceremony, held on the Day of Remembrance for the Dead, was attended by the Mayor of Milan Giuseppe Sala, the President of the City Council Elena Buscemi and the Councillor for Civic Services Gaia Romani. Among those present were Father Roberto Dal Molin, Superior of the Salesian Lombardo-Emiliana Province (ILE), the Rector of the Salesian S. Ambrogio institute, Father Sandro Ticozzi,  Salesian bishop Gaetano Galbusera, numerous Salesians and past pupils, and many people from Valsassina accompanied by the Mayor of Cortenova, the priest's hometown.

Messina, Italy – November 2024 - The San Tommaso Theological Institute opened the academic year with a presentation entitled "Health and equity in access to care", held by Maurizio L. Lanza, Director General of the IRCCS "Centro Neurolesi Bonino Pulejo". The Speaker explored the complexity of the right to health, defined by WHO as complete physical, mental and social well-being, and highlighted the difference between equity and equality in health. He stressed that access to care depends on financial resources and their distribution. Inequalities in access to care are more acute in developing countries, but also in developed countries, where health policies often favour the private sector at the expense of the public, creating barriers for the most vulnerable. The event, moderated by the director of the academic centre Fr Gianni Russo, was attended by civil, military and religious authorities. The ceremony was enriched by an evocative musical performance that underlined the message of a health that protects and does not abandon, coordinated by Fr Orazio Moschetti and cared for by the students. Archbishop Giovanni Accolla stressed the importance of placing the person at the centre of prevention, diagnosis and treatment, while the Provincial of the Salesians in Sicily, Fr Giovanni D’Andrea, stressed the importance of not neglecting the dignity of every patient. At the end of the ceremony, a scholarship was given to student Danilo Finocchiaro.