Palermo, Italy – October 2024 – On October 12, the official launch of the formation of groups for the new pastoral year took place at “Don Bosco – Ranchibile” in Palermo. It was a moment of celebration and joy that saw the participation of more than 150 teenagers and young people from the formative groups, along with Salesians and educators. The formative groups currently consist of five groups and include young people and adults (from middle school students to university students and workers). The celebration began with the Eucharistic Celebration presided over by the Oratory director, Fr. Alfredo Calderoni, and the greeting from the Rector Fr. Domenico Saraniti. Later, the young people gathered in the theater for a moment of celebration and formation. After welcoming dances, Marco and Federica, a young married couple and animators at Ranchibile, shared their missionary experience in Senegal and introduced two young Senegalese animators. Through films and photos, they recounted how the Oratory started in Senegal in collaboration with the “DonBosco 2000” Association. It is an Oratory that has had a special connection with Don Bosco Ranchibile, thanks to Cinzia Pennino, an animator and teacher who passed away in 2020. Cinzia brought her joy, cheerfulness, professionalism, and competence to those places where the Salesian charism was still little known, paving the way for the founding of the new Oratory in Senegal. Antonino Sella and Cinzia Vella, founders and parents of Cinzia Pennino were the Chief Guests of the evening, besides the two young Senegalese. The evening concluded with prayer and an invitation to be missionaries in everyday life.

Turin, Italy – October 2024 – The 34th Marian Day was held in Valdocco on Sunday 13 October  on "Towards the Jubilee: a symphony of prayers", in which the members of the Association of Mary Help of Christians (ADMA) Primary of Turin and also a large group of associates from Lombardy, Sicily and Liguria participated. The day was characterised by a formative moment led by Fr Roberto Carelli who took up the theme of prayer indicated by the Pope in preparation for the Jubilee, and commented on the  "I adore you my God" prayer, which every morning invites us  to renew our love for God and to offer our actions in advance, asking that they be truly good and in accordance with His will. This was followed by a time for prayer and personal reflection and the Rosary in the Valdocco courtyard. All the new aspirants were then presented and the testimonies of the 9th International Congress of Mary Help of Christians, held in Fatima under the theme: "I will give you a Teacher", were followed. The day ended with the celebration of the Eucharist, presided over by Fr Gabriel de Jesus Cruz Trejo, Spiritual Animator of the Primary ADMA and concelebrated by Fr Manuel Jiménez, Rector of the Community of Mary Help of Christians, Fr Roberto Carelli and Fr Giovanni Frigerio. 24 new members professed their commitment to join the Association.

Italy – October 2024 - 15 days have passed since 25 pilgrims left the Salesian works in Ecuador to the places of Don Bosco. The group formed by Directors and Deputy Directors of Salesian School Centres (CES), responsible for the Salesian Project, Oratories, parish and administrative management, human talents and lay Directors, was accompanied by Fr Mauricio Leime, Provincial Delegate for Youth Ministry. The spiritual and formative experience responds to the objective of the Overall Provincial Project (OPP) 2023-2029: to ensure the transmission and life of the Salesian charism in both religious and lay Salesians to be faithful to the mission, today. For the pilgrims, it represented a deeply enriching spiritual experience, a journey of inner renewal, a closer encounter with the faith, history and legacy of Don Bosco that revives commitment to the mission, starting from the responsibilities entrusted in each of the works. Walking and praying in Piedmont; visiting Turin, Colle Don Bosco, Valdocco, Chieri, the home of Mamma Margaret and Dominic Savio allowed the laity to witness a life of holiness starting from everyday life, and to have a personal encounter with God, through the knowledge of the various stages of John Bosco's life. In the same way, they had the opportunity to understand the role of Mamma Margaret in the life of Don Bosco, and of the Virgin Mary, the guiding thread of his great work. In addition, the pilgrims also visited the Headquarters in Rome and the Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. The pilgrimage showed the participants how Don Bosco was a model of resilience and perseverance, which challenges them to renew their commitment to transforming the lives of young people by accompanying them in the current context.

(ANS - Rome) - The presentation of the new “DON BOSCO NEL MONDO Foundation” website, a body of international solidarity of the Congregation of Salesians of Don Bosco, a direct emanation of the General Council and, as such, body charged with transforming the charism of Don Bosco into work, took place on Tuesday 8 October at San Tarcisio in Rome.

(ANS – Quito) – Last Friday, 4 October 2024, a joint digital meeting was held between the members of the "Pro Beatification of Fr Carlo Crespi" Commission in Italy, the birthplace of the great missionary, and Ecuador, the adopted homeland of the Venerable Salesian. The event marked a significant moment in the commitment to support the process of beatification of the"Apostle to the poor", whose legacy has left a profound mark on various communities.

(ANS - Ancona) - Last weekend, the Salesians of the 'San Luigi' institution in Ancona, belonging to the Circumscription of Central Italy (ICC), celebrated 125 years since the laying of the foundation stone. It was an event that filled the entire educational-pastoral community and the entire citizenship of Ancona with energy, which was prepared by a three-day celebration, and which found its climax in the visit of the Vicar of the Rector Major, Fr Stefano Martoglio, on Sunday 6 October.