(ANS - Rome) - The 13th edition of the Salesian Social Communication Days is to be held on 28-29 April 2023 at the Pontifical Salesian University (UPS) in Rome. This is an annual event that involves young people from the Salesians of Don Bosco, the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians and other religious Congregations in initial formation, to promote their formation in communication.

Turin, Italy - April 2023 - On April 16, about 500 young people participated in the "SYM Day" held in Turin-Valdocco. The day's special guest was actor and playwright Giovanni Scifoni, who met with the young people in the theater, offering them the story of a piece of his life as a son, husband and father. He delved precisely into the father-son dynamics, portrayed to the SYM youngsters in a short skit, emphasizing how wonderful it is to know you are Sons and also to be able to become a Father to someone you do not know, but whom God Himself gives you. "Be curious young people, do not be afraid of boredom, because only in this way can your faith grow," was the message shared. And in view of this summer's World Youth Day - an experience that Giovanni Scifoni himself lived years ago - the actor said, "You do not go forward alone, and that is precisely why you should not be ashamed of your faith, which will make some people turn away, but which will make you gain much more. We are much bigger than our dreams; we must not stand still, but throw ourselves into the challenges of each day, knowing that God has a plan for each of us." After lunch and a time of playing together, the youth experienced the Eucharistic Celebration together, which featured another important sign of the day: the Missionary Mandate. This summer's future departures felt all the affection and support of their peers during the handing over of the missionary cross, a symbol of the Salesian style that they will give to those who will find themselves on their path. The day then ended with Giovanni Scifoni's show "Even the Saints Have Pimples," in Valdocco's Teatro Grande, where he portrayed the lives of three saints: St. Augustine, St. John of God, and St. Frances of Rome.

(ANS - Venice) - On Sunday, April 16, 2023, more than 6,000 people of all ages - and more than 6,500 if we count the 330 volunteers and 230 performers and companions of the guest folk groups - participated in the traditional Solidarity Walk "Su e Zo per i Ponti di Venezia, up and down the bridges of Venice" moving through the lanes and across the squares of the lagoon city with a thought turned to the Salesian mission of Quebrada Honda, Peru, the focus of the 2023 Solidarity Project of Su e Zo per i Ponti.

(ANS – Castelnuovo Don Bosco) – On Friday 14 April, the Salesian Family Delegates [31 in total] from the English-speaking Provinces gathered at Colle Don Bosco to begin their course on various aspects of Salesian Family. Some of these topics to be covered included: Reflection on Don Bosco, founder of the vast charismatic movement called the Salesian Family, to explore the Salesian Family Charter of Identity, to emphasise the role of the Salesian Family delegate, to know the Salesian Family Groups and to share reflections and experiences from the Salesian sites.

(ANS - Andria) - "Put more heart in those hands" is a famous saying of St. Camillus De Lellis, founder of the Ministers of the Infirm and Patron of the sick, nurses, and hospitals; it was the incitement with which he urged his brethren and co-workers to put their hearts into the service of their neighbor. But the incitement "Put more heart into those hands" was also the motto with which the Salesian Educational-Pastoral Community (CEP) of Andria, composed of Salesians and lay people, worked during Lent on a campaign of solidarity toward the neediest minors. A campaign that is now seeing its fruits.

(ANS - Rome) - The celebration of the sacraments is no longer the center of young people's lives and, it could be said, not even the center of the life of Pastoral Educational Communities (CEPs) anymore. Don Bosco, then again, is the saint of the immense educational value of the Eucharist and Confession. Where has the mechanism jammed? What avenues for dialogue between youth life today and sacramental life? Why ask yourself these questions? Where to intervene to revive the dialogue between liturgy and youth, between liturgy and CEP?