Santiago de Chile, Chile – May 2024 - Representatives of the Salesian Colleges in the Province of Chile (CIL) met on Communicators’ Day, held at the Provincial House, on 14 and 15 May. The event, organised by the Social Communication Sector of the CIL Province, had the objective of presenting topics, promoting collaborative work and providing tools and practical elements. Fr Juan Bustamante, Vice-Provincial, presided over the opening Eucharist and addressed a message to the communicators. Following the dynamic presentation of the participants, a formation event entitled 'Walking with young people in digital culture' was held, led by Karina Velarde, member of the Communication Sector of the CIL Province, who explored the role of supporting young people with new technologies. Manuel Catalán, director of the Network of Salesian Schools, deepened the educational work that communicators do, while Vicente Fritz, Provincial Delegate for Communication, presented the work done in the document about roles and functions, which institutionally consolidates their Salesian work. The day culminated with a hands-on workshop where communicators shared experiences and tested new technical tools in groups. The second day took place at the Manuel Arriarán Barros High School in La Cisterna. After a moment of sharing, Joaquín Castro, member of the Provincial Communication Team, presented the guidelines of the Salesian World Film Festival. The meeting ended with opportunity for collaborative accompaniment led by José Miguel Estay, a journalist from the Provincial Communication Sector, aimed at improving communication in the works.

Kathmandu, Nepal – May 2024 - The visit of Ms Danielle Meuwly, Ambassador of Switzerland to Nepal at the Don Bosco Institute of Engineering and Technology, Thecho, Kathmandu, accompanied by her assistant, represented an important step on the path of networking and getting support from different agencies. The ambassador's visit took place in the afternoon of 14 May with a message to students, a visit to the workshops and a walk to observe initiatives on behalf of nature, including agricultural training. This visit was facilitated by Markus Burri, Director of the Don Bosco Salesian Mission Office in Switzerland. The ambassador expressed her appreciation to the Don Bosco organisation across the world, for the training given to students and young people. She took particular note of the large number of girls in the auditorium to hear her message. She ensured support for the formation carried out in the institute, also emphasising the  "apprenticeship model" of Vocational Training which is normal practice in Switzerland. Her encouraging remarks and affectionate relationships captured students' attention, matching her inspiring message to students, largely girls, to engage in vocational training to build the nation. The institute has been operational since 2001, but formally since 2011, and has trained 2,905 students in various programs. In addition to offering Vocational Training courses, the institute has reception facilities and carries out a district apostolate and is heading towards its 25th anniversary of presence.

Johannesburg, South Africa – May 2024 – The annual Retreat in the Blessed Michael Rua Vice-Province of Southern Africa (eSwatini, Lesotho and South Africa) has been taking place from 12 May at the Don Bosco Youth Centre in Walkerville – Johannesburg . The retreat theme "God's Dream for me" is being led by Bro. Raymond Callo, SDB, member of the Formation Sector at Salesian Headquarters in Rome. The 30 participating Salesians, from the three countries in the AFM Vice-Province and involving 17 different nationalities, are being led day by day with the dynamics of spiritual accompaniment in the silence of the beautiful nature of the Vaal region, south of Johannesburg. The Salesians were invited to the semi-guided retreat style, with a brief introduction to personal prayer with questions and prompts for small spiritual sharing groups. The themes of each day are oriented to the transformation of life after the retreat: Awareness - Paradox of life - Meeting - Transformation - Mission. The morning sessions are focused on the Word of God, while the afternoons are guided by Salesian themes. This rather unusual way of conducting the retreat is much appreciated by all Salesians and inspires them to a life of faith and deeper vocation, in a closer personal relationship with Jesus Christ. The retreat is in preparation for the 13th Provincial Chapter of the AFM Vice-Province that will take place from 18 to 22 May in the same venue.

Gabutu, Papua New Guinea – May 2024 - The Don Bosco Technical School began the Servanthood and Leadership Training (S.A.L.T.) project on 4 May. "S.A.L.T" is an annual program of the school, designed so that graduate students can leave the institution and serve the community as active and responsible citizens. The program lasts three consecutive Saturdays, with previous training and a final evaluation. On Saturday, 4 May and Saturday 11 May, the students served in the Bosco Mountain school and in the Dump area; at the St Therese Primary and Sevese Morea Primary School; at the St Therese Clinic-Hohola, at the Cheshire Homes centre; and in the parish of Mary Help of Christians in Sabama. Fr Ambrose Pereira, SDB, parish priest of Mary Help of Christians parish, said that the parishioners were pleased to receive the 43 young students and their companions, who carried out their service in different places of the parish, dealing with internal and external cleaning, grass cutting and the excavation of a disposal and road adjustment pit. The young people also motivated the youngsters in the community to do other drainage work for the benefit of the community; and after several hours of work the young people were accompanied by the parish priest in a moment of prayer and sharing of experiences. Immediately afterwards they were offered lunch.

Cebu City, Philippines – May 2024 – Don Bosco Technical College (DBTC) in Cebu City hosted the opening of the Research Congress of the Province of the Southern Philippines (FIS) on Saturday, 11 May. During the event, 18 documents of social research, pastoral, communication and various topics were presented; with qualitative, quantitative and mixed methodologies produced by four Salesian institutions from the FIS Province: Don Bosco Formation Center-Lawaan (DBFC-Lawaan), Don Bosco Technical Institute-Victorias (DBTI-Victorias), Saint Louis School of Don Bosco-Dumaguete (SLSDB-Dumaguete) and Don Bosco Technical College-Cebu (DBTC-Cebu). The congress began with an address by Dr. Genaro Japos, founder and president of the Philippine Association of Research Institutes, who stressed the importance of research in driving social transformation. Then followed the various presentations, for which a group of experts evaluated the research papers. The FIS 2024 Research Congress not only highlighted the significant research results of its participants, but also fostered a collaborative spirit that will inspire future academic efforts.

Krakow, Poland – May 2024 - From 10 to 12 May, at the Salesian Seminary in Krakow, over 400 young people from all Salesian presences of the Province of Krakow (PLS), including Ukraine, participated in the 32nd "Savionalia". The annual event, promoted to commemorate Saint Dominic Savio, this year took place with the motto inspired by Saint John Bosco's Dream at 9 years of age: "A dream that becomes reality". The event began on Friday, 10 May with the presentation of the groups, the opening ceremony and adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. On the second day, after Mass, there were conferences on the dream, presented by Fr Krzysztof Tomeczkowski and Fr Mikołaj Wyczałek. Subsequently, the "Tournament in honour of St Dominic Savio" began, during which participants competed in a variety of games. In the afternoon, the focus was on music, with the singing and dancing by young people accompanied by the None Rhyme and SMKKPM Salesian bands. In the evening, several testimonies and suggestions on vocation were offered, and after the performance of the Jak najbardziej musical group Fr Andrzej Gołębiowski delivered the Salesian goodnight. The last day began with a missionary morning prepared by the Salesian Mission Volunteer Group known as Młodzi Światu, during which the volunteers recounted their activities. Mass was then celebrated by the Vice-Provincial of PLS, Fr Zygmunt Kostka, during which some Salesians spoke of their vocation. Finally, the closing ceremony of the awards ceremony took place. The winner of the Savionalia Cup was the celebration of the Salesian work at Oświęcim – Mother House of the Salesians of Poland, which this year celebrates 125 years.

Text: Karolina Krzymińska and Facebook Savionalia PLS
Photo: Mikołaj Antkiewicz and Facebook Savionalia PLS