Tigaraksa, Indonesia – December 2024 – On 17 December, in the spirit of Christmas joy, the Salesian novitiate community in Tigaraksa held an early Christmas celebration with the Youth Group for Faith Formation. The event was celebrated before the children left for the Christmas holidays and took place in a lively, orderly and joyful way, involving adolescents, parents, Salesians and FMA. The activity began with a Christmas prayer service that directed the hearts of children to reflect on the theme "Let's go to Bethlehem", to teach them the values of humility, simplicity and solidarity with the poor and marginalised. The children were encouraged to deeply understand the meaning of Christmas, inspiring them to bring love and compassion into their daily lives. After the prayer service, the event continued with a Christmas bazaar, one of the most exciting parts for children with various activities, fun games and performances. The dances, performances and songs they performed not only showed their creativity, but also conveyed profound Christmas messages of love, hope and peace. The highlight of the event was the distribution of Christmas gifts prepared by the community. The activity ended with a community prayer.
Sulejówek, Poland – December 2024 – Four people from the FMA educational community in Łomianki made their promise as members of the Association of Salesian Cooperators. The celebration took place as part of the 5th Provincial Conference of Families, a meeting during which the families of the FMA educational communities had the opportunity to learn more about Salesian spirituality and the characteristics of the Association of Salesian Cooperators, thanks to the intervention of the ASC provincial coordinator.
Cebu, Philippines – December 2024 – The Salesian Family and the young people of the Province of the Southern Philippines (FIS) gathered at the Don Bosco Technical Institute in Cebu to celebrate the Bicentennial of Don Bosco's Dream at Nine Years of Age. The event, entitled "Walking together in Don Bosco's dream", brought together 250 participants to reflect on shared values and to culminate a year of commemoration of the dream that shaped the Salesian mission. The celebrations began with the Mass presided over by Fr Fidel Ma. D. Orendain, SDB, Superior of the FIS Province, who urged the participants to become bearers of hope. After moments of interaction, learning and fun, those present witnessed a reflection led by Fr Joel Camaya on the meaning of Don Bosco's Dream. Then followed presentations by Daryl Torreon on his experience at the Salesian Synod of Young People and by Fr Rooney John G. Undar, SDB, on the Final Document of the Synod of Young People. During the event, a "Tree of Dreams" activity was carried out and, finally, a community dance on the notes of "In the Shape of Your Dream", the official hymn of the Salesian Synod of Young People 2024. This event inspired the participants to walk together in hope and love, committed to continuing the mission of Don Bosco for young people.
Madrid, Spain – December 2024 – During the weekend of 13-15 December, a meeting of practical trainees from the Salesian Provinces of Spain - Saint James the Greater (SSM) and Spain - Mary Help of Christians (SMX) took place at Casa Don Bosco in Madrid. The event was promoted by the Salesian Formation delegations in Spain with the aim that the young Salesian practical trainees, 4 from the SSM Province and 4 from SMX, could share their experiences of this formation phase. The Delegates for Formation, Fr Juan José Bartolomé and Fr José Luis Navarro, accompanied the experience. The meeting focused on the formation given by Augustinian José Luis Martínez, who, as a psychologist, provides his service to consecrated life at the Medical-Psychological Centre of the Spanish Conference of Religious (CONFER). The participants had the opportunity to increase awareness of their lives and contemplative meditation.
Barranquilla, Colombia – December 2024 - On 7 December, Salesian Deacon Brian Alfonso Mejía Cantillo was ordained priest by Bishop Dimas Antonio Acuña Jiménez, Bishop of the Diocese of El Banco (Magdalena). The Eucharist was celebrated in the Church of San Roque in the city of Barranquilla. The new priest was accompanied by family, Salesians and friends.
São Lourenço da Mata, Brazil – December 2024 – In the afternoon of 14 December, Salesian Deacon Leandro Francisco da Silva was ordained priest in the parish church of Our Lady of Light by Archbishop Paulo Jackson Nóbrega de Souza, Archbishop of Olinda and Recife. The celebration also involved Fr Francisco Inácio, Superior of the Salesian Province of Recife, Brazil (BRE), the parish priest Fr Jurandir Inácio, friends and family.