Montreal, Canada – May 2024 – On Friday 24 May, the Feast of Mary Help of Christians, the Association of Salesian Cooperators (ASC) in Canada rejoiced at the promise of two new Salesian Cooperators, Araceli Delgado Gamez and Gabriela Vilchis Reyes, belonging to the Centre at Sainte-Claire. The ceremony took place in the Italian community church of Saint Dominic Savio in Montreal. Rosa Romani D'Addario, Secretary of the ASC Canadian Province, received the promises in the presence of Sister Alphonsine Roy, FMA, and Pierre Larocque, ASC, responsible for initial formation. The Eucharist was presided over by Fr Richard Authier, SDB, and concelebrated by two diocesan priests.
Krakow, Poland – May 2024 – The priestly ordination of two Salesian deacons in the Province of Krakow (PLS): Nowak Dominik and Nguyen Hung Trung was celebrated in the Salesian church of St Stanislaus Kostka in Dębnik Krakow on 25 May. The celebration was presided over by Archbishop Adrian Galbas, SAC, Metropolitan Archbishop of Katowice. In addition to parents, friends and young people, various Salesians were present with the Superior of the Province of Krakow, Fr Marcin Kaznowski. Fr Dominik was assigned to Rzeszów, while Fr Trung Nguyen, from Vietnam, was assigned to Ukraine.
Lubumbashi, DR Congo – May 2024 – More than 1,600 members of the Salesian Family in the Province of Central Africa (AFC) participated, on Sunday, 26 May, in the traditional Pilgrimage in honour of Mary Help of Christians, held at the Golf Plateau Karavia district of Lubumbashi. During the procession, which began in the morning, the Salesian Cooperators and Volunteers with Don Bosco, coordinated by members of ADMA, led the Rosary and hymns. Many young people from Salesian houses made their presence felt, praying and accompanying the procession. The Pilgrimage was also enriched by the presence of Fr Guillermo Basañes, Superior of the AFC Province, and the Vice-Provincial, Fr Tryphon Kalimira Cizihira.
Colonia Vignaud, Argentina – May 2024 - The traditional Pilgrimage to the Shrine of Mary Help of Christians took place in Colonia Vignaud, Córdoba on 18 and 19 May. The event was attended by Archbishop Miroslaw Adamczyk, Apostolic Nuncio, accompanied by the Archbishop of San Francisco, Archbishop Sergio Buenanueva, and Bishop Pedro Torres, Bishop of Rafaela. Also present were the Economer for the Province of Argentina North, Fr Roberto Camusso SDB, and the Parish Administrator of the Shrine, Fr Daniel Maini. The ecclesiastical authorities were received by the mayor of Colonia Vignaud and the director of Salesian work, Gustavo Mina. The celebration was attended by 60,000 faithful over the two days. The Shrine welcomed 77 groups of "gauchos" from different locations, as well as motorcyclists, cyclists and pilgrims who arrived on foot, all united in homage to the Virgin Mary Help of Christians, patron saint of Argentine Agriculture.
Cochabamba, Bolivia – May 2024 - Salesian Chapter members met to celebrate the 22nd Provincial Chapter of Our Lady of Copacabana Province, Bolivia (BOL) from 13-16 May at the Don Bosco Fátima Event Centre. Chapter members worked for four days on the theme of the upcoming GC29 "Passionate about Jesus Christ, dedicated to young people. Living our Salesian vocation faithfully and prophetically.“ The opening Eucharistic celebration was presided over by Bishop Jesús Juárez Párraga, SDB, and later Chapter members met in groups to work on the three core areas of GC29. They also examined the proposal to update the Provincial Directory, forming working committees and sharing observations in the assembly. Bishop Tito Solari, SDB accompanied Chapter members on the first two days of work. The fourth day saw the election of the delegate and the substitute to the GC29, Fr Luis Adolfo Torrez and Fr Ivan Mamani respectively, who together with the Provincial will represent the BOL Province at the GC29 to be held in Turin in 2025. The closing Mass was presided over by Bishop Fernando Bascopé, SDB.
Medellín, Colombia – May 2024 – As part of the celebration of the Solemnity of Mary Help of Christians, consultations for the new Superior of the Salesian Province of Medellín, Colombia (COM) began on 24 May, led and directed by Fr Hugo Orozco, Councillor for the Interamerica Region. On the same day Fr Orozco presided at the Eucharist in honour of Mary Help of Christians for the collaborators and Salesians at the Provincial House. The consultation for the new Provincial will take place in different areas of the COM Province.