(ANS – Turin) – With great joy, about 50 people participated in the event "Let us dream with Don Bosco", accompanied by Salesian Fr Aisen Barbar. Many young people and families - from different European countries, but also from Canada, Australia and Lebanon and others still forced to leave their lands, in Syria and Iraq - have fulfilled their dream of making a pilgrimage to the places of Don Bosco, in Turin.

(ANS – Rome) – The visit by Fr Stefano Martoglio, Vicar of the Rector Major, on Tuesday 22 August, to the Zeffirino Namuncurà house in Via della Bufalotta 550, Rome, was very welcome. In this period the Salesian community hosts the group of new missionaries who are preparing for their mandate from the Rector Major, when they are given their crucifix, on the last Sunday of September in Valdocco at the 154th missionary expedition. Their course began on 20 August and will continue at Salesian sites in Piedmont from 2 September.

Piazza Armerina, Italy – August 2023 – In a touching and uplifting demonstration of solidarity, Fr Mykhaylo Chaban, Superior of the Salesian Mary Help of Christians Vice-Province in Greek Catholic Ukraine, and Chiara Lombardi, Director General of VIS (International Volunteering for Development), recently paid a special visit to the Don Bosco 2000 communities in Sicily. The focal point of the visit was the Ukrainian community of Don Bosco 2000, a refuge for women and children who have fled the war in their country. Don Bosco 2000 has long been an oasis of support and guidance for those in need, and the Ukrainian community was a shining example of compassion and resilience. Fr Mykhaylo Chaban's visit was greeted with great appreciation and gratitude by the women and children, separated from their husbands and fathers for more than a year and a half. His presence provided a glimmer of hope and comfort at a time of great difficulty. Fr Mykhaylo Chaban's message of unity, faith and resilience resonated deeply, offering comfort to those who faced immense challenges. Fr Chaban and Chiara Lombardi then continued their visit to the municipality of Aidone, a gesture of closeness and collaboration that was enthusiastically and warmly welcomed by the deputy mayor Alessandra Mirabella and the councillor for Social Policies Angelo Testi.

(ANS – Turin) – This week begins in Valdocco the fifth edition of the Salesian School of Spiritual Accompaniment, for Italian and Spanish-speaking Salesians, which will continue until 23 September. There will be a total of 24 Salesians from 15 Provinces and Vice-Provinces (BRE, ECU, BBH, COB, PER, MEG-CRESCO, CAM, INE, ICP, MOR, RMG, KOR, INH, ANG, MOZ), from 13 countries and 6 different regions of the Congregation.

(ANS - Turin) - On 16 August 2023, at Castelnuovo Don Bosco, young people from different parts of the world (Hong Kong, Hungary, Nicaragua, Italy, the Philippines, etc.) and pilgrims, friends and benefactors, took part in the celebrations of the 208th anniversary of the birth of Don Bosco. Fr. Ezio Orsini, Rector of the Basilica, welcomed the Rector Major, the concelebrants, the young people and the faithful present at the celebration.

(ANS – Turin) – 66 SYM Youth and SDBs from India who were WYD pilgrims to Lisbon concluded their pilgrimage with a solemn English Mass at the sanctuary of the apparition of Our Lady at Fatima, and then proceeded to the second part of their pilgrimage to the land of Don Bosco, Turin, Italy.