Italy – February 2024 – On 24 and 25 February, 150 young people aged 18 to 30 from the Salesian Youth Movement (SYM) participated in the SYM 2024 Forum in Lombardy and Emilia-Romagna, held between Parma and Boretto. Upon arrival at the Salesian San Benedetto Oratory in Parma, they were welcomed by the young people from the SYM and the choir, who contributed to the preparation of the event. After lunch, the young people were able to enjoy the artistic beauties of the city of Parma, which inspired spiritual reflections. Later, they went to the theatre in the municipality of Boretto, the birthplace of Saint Artemides Zatti, welcomed by the parish priest Fr Giancarlo Minotta, to attend the show "Artemides Zatti rang a bell" by Manuela Chiaffi. The day ended with the Eucharistic procession through the streets of the village and a moment of prayer and reflection accompanied by the highlights of the life of Saint Artemides Zatti. The next day, in the morning, the group of young people visited the places of Saint Artemides Zatti. Guided by the key words of Zatti's life "I believed, I promised, I recovered", life testimonies followed one another, which made it possible to bring the saint's teachings back into everyday life. In the afternoon, after a moment of sharing and reflection, the event ended with the Holy Mass presided over by Fr Roberto dal Molin, Superior of the Lombard-Emilian Salesian Province (ILE), who, during the homily, underlined some fundamental aspects of Saint Artemides Zatti.

Frascati, Italy - February 23, 2024 – The educational community from the Salesian  "Villa Sora" Institute has always been rooted in the Tuscan territory, in continuity with the Estate Ragazzi that for more than ten years has welcomed about 700 young people from Frascati, and has decided to give concrete support and accompaniment to the students at Frascati, according to the spirit of the founder St John Bosco. With the resolution approved by the Municipal Council on 13 February and with the signing of the protocol of the following 22 February, the "QUICONTE" project was launched. The project involves the creation of a working group and the reception at Villa Sora of some boys and girls attending secondary schools in the municipality. An expansion of the resources available to them also to combat early school leaving and provide support to the families most in difficulty. At the operational level, in the afternoons the "Villa Sora" institute will welcome some boys and girls attending the comprehensive institutes of Frascati, providing support in the study and providing for participation in structured and free recreational activities in the courtyard. The young people will be assisted by students attending the Salesian institute and by volunteers, according to the Don Bosco Preventive System.

Turin, Italy – February 2024 - "Return to Don Bosco" was the motto chosen for the Retreat for the Youth Ministry General Coordinators of the Salesians in Spain's St James the Greater Province (SSM), held from 16 to 23 February. The 46 participants, including four lay people, accompanied by the Rector Major Emeritus, Fr Pascual Chávez, went to Valdocco, Turin, the place where the Salesian work was born. Fr Xabier Camino, Youth Ministry Delegate for the SSM Province, organised the meeting, emphasising that "this year, marked by the bicentenary of young John Bosco's dream at 9 years of age, we wanted to have this experience in Valdocco (...) to shed light on the present and project the future starting from the origins, in fidelity to the Salesian charism." After the first day of reflection at Colle Don Bosco and Chieri, the rest of the days took place at the Salesian Mother House in Valdocco. Every day Fr Chávez led a reflection, in the morning and in the afternoon, followed by a moment of reflection. Moments of prayer, the Eucharist and some significant visits to the house at Valdocco, completed the program. The Retreat ended on 23 February with the Mass presided over by Fr Camino in the chapel located in what were the rooms where Don Bosco lived, now part of the Don Bosco House Museum. The next day Fr Chávez presided at Mass in the Basilica of Mary Help of Christians.

(ANS – Livorno) – At the proposal of the Mayor of Livorno, Luca Salvetti, Salesian Fr Gigi Zoppi will climb the steps of the Civic Palace in the city on 19 March 2024 to receive the honour of the City of Livorno, reserved for people, groups, associations that have contributed to giving impetus and vitality to the city through their personal virtue and dedication, with concrete works in the field of civics, social, culture, sciences, work, school, sport.

(ANS - La Spezia) – A “Ferry” to go beyond the storm and navigate more calmly: for 15 years the  Il Traghetto (the ferry)" Day Centre in La Spezia has been doing this kind of work with young people from 6 to 18 years old, all with difficult family situations. Il Traghetto, managed by the Il Galeone APS Association, associated with Salesians for Social APS, was dreamed up and founded in 2009 by Fr Antonio Integlia, a Salesian, now a missionary in Patagonia, within the Salesian work at La Spezia.

(ANS – Rome) – The cycle of events in the series "What kind of Salesians for the youth of today?" continues, on the Action Programme for the Salesian Congregation after the 28th General Chapter. On Saturday, 17 February 2024, Fr Silvio Roggia, Rector of the Zefirino Namuncurá community in Rome will speak, called to offer ideas and insights starting from the theme "In the face of cultural changes, what kind of fraternal life and Salesian mission for today?"