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.

(ANS – Rome) – The World Presidency of the Salesian History Association (ACSSA) met from 8 to 10 November 2024 in Rome at the Pontifical Salesian University (UPS). The meeting, attended by the various representatives of the associates from around the world, was also enriched by a meeting with Cardinal Ángel Fernández Artime, Rector Major Emeritus.

(ANS - Bari) - An interesting formation meeting for pastoral workers took place in Bari on 8 and 9 November 2024, in which the Youth Minitry Sector of the Salesian Congregation was also involved, through Antonella Sinagoga. The psychotherapist presented the educational criteria for educating to love and sexuality contained in ‘A Youth Ministry that educates to love’, written together with the General Councillor for Youth Ministry, Fr Miguel Angel García Morcuende.

(ANS – Rome) – An important experimental work was carried out for the conservation, organisation and cataloguing of some documents at the Archives of the General Postulation for the Causes of Saints in Rome from 10 October to 11 November. At the invitation of the Postulator General, Fr Pierluigi Cameroni, and with the collaboration of Fr Gabriel Cruz, Mr Diego Aguado, archivist at the Salesian Historical Archives Peru, has carried out an experimental process for preserving original documents relating to the collection of Blessed Alexandrina Maria da Costa, Salesian Cooperator: correspondence, manuscripts and photographs of great value for the Salesian Family.

(ANS – Turin) – Visitors to the Salesian Motherhouse in Turin-Valdocco over recent weeks will have noticed significant construction works underway. Most notably, the square in front of the basilica is undergoing renovations. Additionally, scaffolding indicates restoration work on both towers and the basilica roof. There was an urgent need to stabilize the two bell towers and, especially, to almost completely renew the statues of the Virgin Mary and two angels, as corrosion from exhaust gases and weather had severely damaged some statues.

Bergamo, Italy – November 2024 – The Italian tour of the exhibition “Images of a Vanished World: Fr. Alberto De Agostini – Man, Nature, Art, Science” continues. He was an Italian Salesian priest, geographer, mountaineer, explorer, cartographer, photographer, ethnologist, writer, filmmaker and naturalist. Originally previewed at the Pontifical Salesian University (UPS) in Rome during the International Study Conference on Fr. Alberto Maria De Agostini (1883-1960) in May 2023, the exhibition has since traveled to Turin, Padua, and Lecco. On November 5, it reached Bergamo, presented by curator Fr. Francesco Motto, SDB, at the CAI (Italian Alpine Club) venue “Palamonti” (Mountain Training Institute). It was inaugurated by CAI President Italo Valoti, with Dr. Emanuele Falchetti, Director of Orobie magazine, who covered the exhibition with a feature article in October. “No need to elaborate on Fr. De Agostini’s figure,” noted Fr. Motto, “as it has been previously presented.” However, he highlighted a recent video featuring Fr. De Agostini aired by the training ship “Amerigo Vespucci,” filmed in the Strait of Magellan during its global voyage. The exhibition will remain open until December 5, after which it will move to Treviglio and then return to Rome at the Italian Geographical Society headquarters in January 2025.