Messina, Italy - December 2023 - The academic community at the Salesian St Thomas Theological Institute (ITST) in Messina gathered to commemorate the birth of the Salesian Oratory, where "everything began with a Hail Mary," as the Memoirs of the Oratory written by St. John Bosco remind us. After a greeting from the ITST director, Fr Gianni Russo, the student representative, Fr Federico, took the floor, reminding those present that: "After starting the academic year with an address that reminded us of the theological meaning of the 9-year dream, we are now pausing to consider the beginning of Don Bosco's missionary activity, through the episode of young Bartholomew Garelli." Brother Federico recalled how Don Bosco did not wait in the sacristy for the boys to come to him, but went to visit them where they lived, especially the most disadvantaged, offering them an alternative way of life through human and Christian education. This is how the Oratory was born! Don Bosco's missionary activity is in line with today's Magisterium, of a Church in exit, of a field hospital, as Pope Francis' heart desires.

(ANS - Rome) - The Conference of Italian Missionaries entitled "The Person at the Centre" was held on Thursday, 7 December 2023, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation. The event, coordinated by the Italian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Antonio Tajani, and by the government's special envoy for religious freedom, Davide Dionisi, was attended by representatives of numerous missionary congregations and religious institutes. This was infact the first important meeting of this kind, of a direct intervention of the missionary world with the Italian government authorities.

(ANS - Rome) - Cardinal Ángel Fernández Artime, Rector Major of the Salesians of Don Bosco, presided over Mass for the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of Mary at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart in Rome.

(ANS - Turin) - In the beautiful setting of the Sanctuary of the Consolata in Turin, the most important sanctuary of the city and of the Archdiocese, the much awaited meeting of the people with Cardinal Ángel Fernández Artime, Rector Major of the Salesians of Don Bosco, took place on the evening of Monday 4 December. The event served to reflect together on the theme "The Youth of today, the great educational challenge" and represented the conclusion of the cycle of public meetings organized at the Consolata by the diocesan weekly "La Voce e Il Tempo".

Modica, Italy - December 2023 - On Saturday 2 December, Fr Antonio Lauretta, a young Salesian from the Salesian Province of Sicily (ISI), originally from Modica, was ordained a priest at the St John the Evangelist Parish - Collegiate Church. The solemn priestly ordination ceremony was presided over by Bishop Salvatore Rumeo, bishop of Noto, in the presence of Fr Giovanni D'Andrea, ISI Provincial.

(ANS – Rome) – There is nothing better than a visible, concrete and convincing testimony to be able to convey your enthusiasm and energy to others. That is why the coordination team of the Salesian Family Spirituality Days (SFSD) 2024, in the process of preparing for the event, has created a new animation video and encouragement to participate.