Chisinau, Moldova - December 2022 - For Salesians, December 8 is a significant date for several reasons: because it celebrates the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, to which Don Bosco was very devoted, and because Don Bosco himself recalls how the whole Salesian work began with the first boy welcomed during the feast of December 8, 1841. In the wake of the Company of the Immaculate Conception, of which Dominic Savio was a promoter, the Friends of Dominic Savio youth groups developed, groups that on this very occasion make pledges of adherence to the proposed Christian life project. In the Salesian work in Chisinau, too, there are ADS groups, which started from the very beginning as a proposal offered to young people to commit themselves more and more to adherence to the Oratorian project. On 8 December, about 10 young people made their pledge, while another 20 or so renewed their commitment to the spiritual and service path. "Currently, there are about 30 teenagers participating in the formative path, about 10 young people in the responsible group and about 30 young people who are part of the various ADS groups (from 8 to 14 years old)," said Fr. Sergio Bergamin, founder and head of the Chisinau Oratory. "It seemed to me a moment of growth and responsibility of the local youth reality and of the oratory itself. Some of the more mature youth are engaged in carrying on the after-school program as a service to help the younger ones, following the example of Dominic Savio," concluded Fr. Bergamin.

Asti, Italy - December 2022 – On 8 December, the Salesian work in Asti concluded the celebrations for the 60th anniversary of the Don Bosco Parish's foundation, currently led by parish priest Fr. Jacek Jankosz. The day began with a greeting from Salesian Community Rector Fr. Genesio Tarasco, who emphasized "How much good, how much of God's grace has been lavished in this ward, especially in favor of so many young people, whom the sons of Don Bosco have met on their way." The Eucharist was celebrated, presided by Msgr. Marco Prastaro, bishop of Asti, concelebrated by Bishop Emeritus Msgr. Francesco Ravinale and the bishop's chancellor, Deacon Natale Campanella. Various civil authorities, FMA and a large number of people were present. At the end of the celebration, the bishop uncovered, set on a corner column of the church, a tile-shaped fragment of the foundation stone of what was the parish church 60 years ago. Then on the parish churchyard, the "Marian Circle" followed in memory of the Hail Mary recited by Don Bosco in the sacristy of the church of St. Francis of Assisi in Turin with Bartolomeo Garelli, from Asti, on December 8, 1841.

At the same time as the consecration of the shrine of Mary Help of Christians there was also that of the high altar, of which the most remarkable detail was to be the altarpiece, painted by the painter Tommaso Lorenzone in 1865. Don Bosco had no financial means available; he also had to think about the maintenance of the Oratory and all his incipient initiatives, so the decoration of the church walls and the making of the liturgical apparatuses were postponed to more propitious times.

(ANS - Boretto) - The first presentation of the book "Artemide Zatti salesiano coadiutore - In bicicletta verso il cielo" (Elledici editions) written by Fr. Pierluigi Cameroni, Postulator General for the Causes of Saints of the Salesian Family, took place in Boretto, the town where St. Artemide Zatti was born on October 12, 1880.

(ANS - Turin) - The winter plenary session of the General Council is underway these days in Turin-Valdocco, at the Salesian Motherhouse. The Rector Major, Fr. Ángel Fernández Artime, together with his Councilors, began the session last December 1 and will continue until next January 27, 2023. Numerous and relevant are the commitments and activities to fulfill the mission of guiding and governing the entire Congregation.

(ANS - Rome) - This year, the great Christmas Concert at the Vatican shall be a special concert under the banner of peace and solidarity. The evening, which has already been enlivening audiences for 29 years with music and stories coming from the works run by the Sons of Don Bosco, in 2022 will feature the Salesian missions in Ukraine and all homes that are in conflict and war contexts.