Talisay City, Philippines - January 2025 - The much-awaited ‘1st AB REED and PASCOM Alumni Homecoming’ meeting brought together 13 groups of Alumni belonging to the Don Bosco Formation Centre - Lawaan (DBFC) on 29 January since the first programme started in 2008. Held at the Don Bosco Retreat House in Lawaan, Talisay City, Cebu, the event was a meaningful reunion filled with reflection, fraternity and a renewed commitment to Christian education. Fr Mel Racelis, SDB, Vice-Provincial of the Salesian Province of the Southern Philippines (FIS), spoke on the theme of Strenna 2025: ‘Anchored in Hope, Pilgrims with Youth’. After the speech, the alumni engaged in an exchange of experiences, reconnecting. The morning session ended with a Mass celebrated by Fr Fidel Orendain, SDB, FIS Provincial, and concelebrated by several Salesian priests. The afternoon session was full of joy and fun as the alumni participated in other sharing activities and the exciting ‘Getting to know each other’ session. The highlight of the event was the election of alumni who will lead future meetings and strengthen relationships.

Wau, South Sudan - January 2025 - On Friday 31 January, in an atmosphere of joy, the Salesian community of Wau celebrated the congregation's patron saint, St John Bosco. Celebration activities began with the Eucharist at the parish of St Joseph the Worker, presided over by Bishop Mathew Remijio Adam Abitiku, Bishop of the Diocese of Wau, together with members of the clergy and religious communities. To commemorate the solemnity of St John Bosco, three moments of great joy for the parish and the Salesian community were celebrated during the Holy Mass: the marriage of two couples, the promise of a new member of the Salesian Cooperators and the renewal of promises by the other members, and finally, the Bishop's blessing for the new ADMA (Association of Mary Help of Christians) group in South Sudan, which will begin its formation journey under the guidance of Fr Anthonyraj Francis, SDB. In the afternoon, the Salesian Community continued the celebrations in honour of St John Bosco with the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians, religious communities, priests and members of the Salesian Cooperators. Two videos were screened during the meeting: the first on the life of Don Bosco and the second on the presentation of the Salesian community in Wau and its pastoral work. For the Salesians of Don Bosco, the Spirit of Family is essential.

Kigali, Rwanda - January 2025 - On Friday 31 January, the Don Bosco Muhazi Vocational Training Centre hosted a lively celebration in honour of St John Bosco. The event was full of hope and positivity, especially for young people from disadvantaged backgrounds. The day began with a solemn Mass, celebrated by the headmaster of the Don Bosco Muhazi school, who is also the Vicar of the Africa Great Lakes Vice-Province (AGL) Fr Frederic Murindangabo, and concelebrated by Fr Crispin Kubwimana, parish priest of Gishaka, during which several young people were baptised and received confirmation. A highlight of the event was the presentation of certificates to 90 young graduates who had completed their vocational studies in the previous academic year. Among them, 84% have already found jobs in various sectors, demonstrating the success of the school's vocational training programmes. The celebration also featured traditional dances that contributed to the festive atmosphere, bringing together students, staff and guests in a joyous display of culture and talent. Overall, the event was a reflection of the school's commitment to empowering young people and providing them with opportunities for a brighter future.

Fátima, Portugal - January 2025 - Strenna 2025 by the Vicar of the Rector Major, Fr Stefano Martoglio ‘Anchored in hope, pilgrims with the young’ was presented to the Salesian Family on 25 January at the Paul VI Pastoral Centre. Fr Tarcízio Morais, Superior of the Salesian Province of Portugal (POR), presented the Strenna 2025 to the more than 500 participants, stating that ‘This year's theme is set in the context of the celebration of two great events that we must take as a reference: the celebration of the Jubilee and the celebration of the 150th anniversary of the first missionary expedition (11 November 2025). These two events have hope as their ‘meeting point’’. At the end of the morning in the Chapel of the Death of Jesus, Fr Tarcízio Morais presided over the Eucharist. In the afternoon there was also the elective Congress of the new Provincial Council of Salesian Cooperators, with the presence of the World Coordinator, Antonio Boccia, and the World Councillor for the Iberian Region, Borja Pérez, and the presentation of the new National Council of the Salesian Youth Movement.

Rakovnik Ljubljana, Slovenia - January 2025 - On the feast day of St John Bosco, 31 January, Salesians from 10 communities of the Slovenian Province of Slovenia (SLO) met at the Salesian mother house in Rakovnik Ljubljana, for a retreat and fraternal meeting. The Mass, celebrated by the SLO Vice-Provincail, Fr Alojzij Dobravec, SDB, was joined by young people from the Salesian Institute at Želimlje, who animated the liturgy, which was also attended by members of the Salesian Family, former students and friends of Don Bosco. During the Holy Mass, the SLO Provincial, Fr Peter Končan, conferred the ecclesial ministry of Acolyte on  young Salesian Cyprian Mbaziira, a theology student, the first missionary from Uganda in the SLO Province. During the homily, Fr Alojzij Dobravec, presented to young people and faithful the meaning of the Holy Year, the purpose of pilgrimages to Rome at the origins of Christianity, and how Don Bosco celebrated the Holy Year in 1875. Salesian Cyprian Mbaziira presented the model of holiness of St Tarcisio, a young man who gave his life for the Holy Eucharist.

Anisakan, Myanmar - January 2025 - The General Councillor for Formation, Fr Ivo Coelho, presided at Mass on the occasion of the feast of Don Bosco, 31 January, at the Mary Help of Christians Shrine in Anisakan. During the Mass, attended by about 300 people, 17 children received their First Communion. In his homily, Fr Coelho spoke about Don Bosco's Dream at 9 years of age in a lively and interesting way. When he spoke passionately about the early days of Don Bosco's youth ministry in Turin, the youngsters in the crowd listened attentively with amazement and admiration. The Superior of the Salesian vice-Province of Myanmar (MYM), Don Bosco Nyi Nyi, translated his homily sentence by sentence accurately, without omitting the meaning of any word. After Mass, a short one-hour play on the challenges and dangers that Don Bosco encountered in his youth ministry, entitled ‘Zeal and Courage’, was staged by the Salesian prenovices. At the end of the play, the General Councillor was deeply impressed by the acting skills of the prenovices, so much so that he praised each of them in front of the audience. At the end, the Superior, Fr Nyi Nyi, thanked Fr Ivo Coelho for his unexpected visit to the Salesian Family in Myanmar, especially in these critical political situations. In the afternoon, the General Councillor visited the National Park, accompanied by some Salesians.