Messina, Italy - September 2022 - The "St. Thomas" Theological Institute of Messina kicked off the 2022/2023 academic year on September 26 with a Eucharistic celebration presided over by Fr. Giovanni D'Andrea, Provincial of the Salesians of Sicily and Tunisia, surrounded by presbyters from the Salesian and academic community, students and faculty. During his homily, the Provincial invited everyone to "study for life, ... where the Lord calls us to be witnesses, and to be a sign of hope in the places and times in which we live, still characterized by the effects of the pandemic, by the war behind our doors, by an economic and energy crisis that is putting many families in difficulty. Studying and deepening the mystery of Christ must help us to conform ourselves to Him; it is not enough just to 'pass the exam.'" So, concluded Fr. D'Andrea: "In this year, but as always, attention to the other, welcoming those around me, even among the corridors of the Institute, will be fundamental. The family atmosphere that characterizes St. Thomas and the variety of charisms and cultures that constitute it makes it a beautiful testimony of ecclesial and human communion. To each of the students and faculty members the wish that they may grow more and more in this communion, in the wake of the synodal journey that the whole Church is experiencing. May Mary, Seat of Wisdom, guide and sustain us also in this new year."

(ANS - Sondrio) - The Salesian presence in the city of Sondrio celebrates in this 2022 its 125 years of activity in favor of young people. The first Spiritual Sons of Don Bosco arrived in the city, the main center of Valtellina, precisely in September 1897, and last Sunday, September 25, in the collegiate church of Saints Gervasius and Protasius, the current Salesian community celebrated the anniversary, together with a large crowd of Don Bosco's faithful and friends, with a Mass presided over by the Bishop of Como, Cardinal Oscar Cantoni , and also concelebrated by the Italy-Lombardo Emiliana (ILE) Provincial, Fr. Giuliano Giacomazzi. For the occasion, remembrance was made of some eminent Salesians originally from Valtellina: the venerable Fr. Giuseppe Quadrio, the Servant of God Fr. Carlo Braga, Fr. Ugo De Censi, Fr. Luigi Melesi and others.

(ANS - Turin) - From Oct. 3 to 5, 2022, representatives of the Salesians, the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians, and several collaborators in the Salesian mission of the Provinces of the Mediterranean Region shall meet in Valdocco for a seminar of reflection on the theme of personal accompaniment of young people aged 18 to 30. "If I have done anything good, I owe it to don Cafasso. Accompanying young people in life choices" is the title of the seminar.

(ANS - Vatican City) - Today, Thursday, Sept. 29, the theme that the Holy Father Francis has chosen for the 57th World Communications Day, which will be celebrated in 2023, was released: "Speaking the truth in love: Veritatem facientes in caritate (Eph. 4:15)." Also today, still on the subject of communication, the Pope also appointed several new Consultors of the Dicastery for Communication: among them are two Salesians: Fr. Fabio Pasqualetti, Dean of the Faculty of Social Communication Sciences at the Salesian Pontifical University; and Fr. George Plathottam, Executive Secretary of the Office of Social Communication of the Federation of Asian Bishops' Conferences.

(ANS - Turin) - The International Congress of Salesian Works and Social Services began yesterday afternoon, Wednesday, Sept. 28, in the charismatic heart of the Congregation, in Turin-Valdocco. Inside the Teatro Grande Valdocco, the approximately 300 participants, who came representing all the Provinces and Vice-Provinces of the Congregation, along with a selected group of young people, were able to listen to the introductory speech by Fr. Miguel Ángel García, General Councilor for Salesian Youth Ministry and promoter of the Congress, and to receive the first useful indications on the development and methodology of the activities from Fr. Rafael Bejarano, Reference Person for Social Works within the Sector of Youth Ministry and coordinator of this appointment.

Lanzo Torinese, Italy - Sept. 15, 2022 - The beginning of the new Formative Year of the Turin Crocetta Community is traditionally marked by a time of fraternity, reflection, and sharing. Two days are dedicated to a time that has the purpose of reconstituting the community of Salesian students, gathering students of the second and third courses again as they return from their summer activities, together with the newly appointed Deacons who continue at the Crocetta on their path of formation for a further year and, above all, the Salesians of the first course, who are joining the Crocetta Community for the first time. It was an especially meaningful occasion this year, given the group’s strong international background consisting of 44 Salesian students from as many as 19 different nationalities. The Rector, Fr. Marek Chrzan, and the Salesians of the Formation Team spent these days together with the student Salesians at the house of spirituality located in the complex of the Shrine of St. Ignatius, not far from Lanzo Torinese, which has hosted the great Turin saints and blesseds, including St. John Bosco, St. Giuseppe Cafasso, St. Leonardo Murialdo, Blesseds Giuseppe Allamano, Michele Rua, Federico Albert, Clement Marchisio, and Francesco Faà di Bruno. This time was also an opportunity to open the reflection aimed at drafting the Formative Project intended to guide the new year. The pilgrimage to the Shrine of Our Lady of Loreto near Forno (Alpi Graie) concluded the meeting to launch the new Formative Year.

Source: salesianicrocetta.it