Subiaco, Italy - November 2024 - On 14 November, on Curriculum Day, the teachers and students fromthe Institute of Spiritual Theology at the Pontifical Salesian University (UPS) in Rome were able to admire the Sanctuary set against the overhanging rock of the Sacro Speco. It became a privileged opportunity to explore the theme of monastic spirituality. The art guide illustrated to the visitors the life of the young hermit Benedict in the Speco, already considered a ‘place of prayer and miracles’ since the time of St Gregory the Great. Students and teachers were able to admire the evocative beauty of the sanctuary: the paintings covering the wall surfaces, the frescoes in the two churches, the upper and lower, the paintings in the transept and the evocative Holy Grotto where the young Benedict lived for three years unknown to all but God and the Roman monk. ‘From this wild solitude, among barren mountains, all monasteries originated’ (Gregorovius). Leaving the Sanctuary, and still contemplating the sylvan valley that accompanies the silent flowing of the river Aniene with wonder, the fifty members of the group of teachers and students taking part in the curriculum day, reached the ‘San Biagio’ house of prayer, a small hermitage where a group of FMA have offered hospitality and spiritual animation since 1975 to all those who want to ‘reconnect with the essential’, by focusing on listening to the Word of God following the example of St John Bosco and Mother Mazzarello. The teachers and students of the Institute celebrated the Eucharist at San Biagio, and, after lunch prepared by the sisters, had the opportunity for exchange on the activities carried out in the house of prayer.

Sonada, India – November 2024 – The 12th Annual General Meeting of the Don Bosco Higher Education (DBHEI) was held at the Salesian Institute in Sonada from 15 to 17 November. The event, organised by the Saint John Bosco Province Calcutta, India on the occasion of the centenary of its foundation, brought together 73 participants from the eleven Indian Provinces. The meeting focused in particular on three issues related to higher education innovation: autonomy, technology and industrial collaboration. Bishop Stephen Lepcha, Bishop of Darjeeling, opened the event with a prayer followed by the celebration of the Eucharist. Many Salesians also spoke, including Fr Johny Nedungatt, Rector of Sonada, Fr Joseph Pauria, Superior of the Salesian Province of Calcutta, Fr Jose Thomas Koyickal, Superior of the Salesian Province of Bangalore, India and Fr Babu Joseph, Principal of the Institute, who outlined the objective of the meeting. Fr George Thadathil, former Principal of the Salesian Institute of Siliguri and Sonada, and now General Coordinator of the Salesian Institutions of Higher Education (IUS), addressed the participants and discussed the challenges and opportunities awaiting the Indian Salesian world in the field of education. The main guest, Dr Nupur Das, Rector of the North Bengal University addressed the Salesian educators, underlining the importance of inclusive education. Finally, there was discussion on topics such as leadership, student exchanges and Artificial Intelligence. 

Carisolo, Italy - November 2024 - ‘Pausing to be formed’:  with these words Fr Roberto Dal Molin, Superior of the Salesian Province of Lombardy-Emilia (ILE), in the name of the Provincials and the Vice-Provincials, introduced the formation event addressed to the young Salesians of Don Bosco and Daughters of Mary Help of Christians fromthe Provinces of ILE and ILO. It is not a slogan, but the expression of a precise purpose: to carve out a precious time in a demanding and sometimes overwhelming everyday life destined to allow oneself to be powerfully strengthened by the Spirit in the interior life (cf. Eph 3:16). The central theme is new evangelisation: accompanied by the wise text The Soul of the Apostolate by Dom Jean Baptiste Gustave Chautard. The SDB and FMA young people were accompanied by Luca Crivellari and Arianna Scalabrin from the Salesian University Institute in Venice (IUSVE). The formation event set out to refine some important skills for personal development, empowerment and the exercise of leadership, and to help create some necessary conditions for the proclamation of the Gospel. The activities followed one another at a fast pace, allowing participants to work on all the dimensions of the human person that come into play in evangelisation. At the end of the sessions, each participant was able to have any number of impulses to improve their relationship with themselves, others and God for a more productive evangelising activity. The retreat that was the culmination of the days made  the virtues necessary for evangelisation more evident, as Chautard teaches, virtues are formed in intimate contact with Jesus: ‘to speak of Christ, one must live by him’ and ‘put oneself in close communion with His feelings’.

Rome, Italy - November 2024 - On the weekend of 9-10 November, the National Team for Missionary Animation (ENAM) met at the Salesians of Don Bosco Italy National Centre, made up of those in charge of the Salesians of Don Bosco (SDB) and the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians (FMA) of AM, plus two young people from each area of the Salesian Youth Movement (SYM) in Italy. ENAM was officially established a year ago in Genoa and was set up with the aim of growing in the coordination and synergy of Mission Animation in Italy through shared responsibility by SDB, FMA and young people. Specifically, the team met to plan a National Youth Festival to be held in a year's time in Valdocco on the occasion of the celebrations for the 150th anniversary of the first Salesian missionary expedition. The team received support and greetings from Fr Elio Cesari, Director of the National Salesian Centre, and Sr Mara Tagliaferri, President of the Italian Salesian Women's Works Centre (CIOFS). The meeting was characterised by a good family atmosphere and an intense rhythm of work.

Milan, Italy - November 2024 - On Saturday 2 November, Salesian Father Luigi Melesi was inscribed in the Famedio of Milan's Monumental Cemetery, among the many illustrious personalities who have dedicated their lives to the city. From 1978 to 2008, he devoted much of his energies to serving the inmates of the San Vittore prison. His 30 years of experience as a chaplain is also contained in his book, ‘Prete da galera’ (San Paolo edition). The ceremony, held on the Day of Remembrance for the Dead, was attended by the Mayor of Milan Giuseppe Sala, the President of the City Council Elena Buscemi and the Councillor for Civic Services Gaia Romani. Among those present were Father Roberto Dal Molin, Superior of the Salesian Lombardo-Emiliana Province (ILE), the Rector of the Salesian S. Ambrogio institute, Father Sandro Ticozzi,  Salesian bishop Gaetano Galbusera, numerous Salesians and past pupils, and many people from Valsassina accompanied by the Mayor of Cortenova, the priest's hometown.

Quito, Ecuador - November 2024 - The Salesian School of Integral Accompaniment (ESAI), devised by the team of the Salesian Centre for Ongoing Formation of America, held its last online meeting on 22 October in preparation for the face-to-face meeting to be held from 3 to 23 November in Quito. This innovative formation course seeks to strengthen the identity and practice of Salesian accompaniment among its participants. The fundamental objective of the ESAI is to help participants recognise and appropriate the characteristics that define the Salesian model of accompaniment, highlighting the spiritual currents that nourish it. Furthermore, it treats accompaniment as an integral system, emphasising the importance of unity and the oratory experiences that constitute it. This time there are 28 participants, including Salesians of Don Bosco, Daughters of Mary Help of Christians and lay collaborators from different presences in America, who through this formation strengthen their commitment to be companions and guides in the lives of young people. In addition, emphasis is placed on strengthening charismatic identity and spiritual accompaniment as the backbone of the Oratory system. ESAI combines a hybrid pedagogical programme, integrating online and face-to-face formation moments, offering a rich and diverse experience for all participants. This initiative reflects a commitment to comprehensive training and support in educational and pastoral work.