Vitória, Brazill – May 2024 – Thanks to an agreement between the Salesians and the Municipality of Vitória, Capital of the State of Espírito Santo, in Brazil, the facilities of the Salesian presence will become one of the sports centres offered free of charge to children and adolescents in the city. The initiative was presented on Thursday 2 May at the Municipality of Vitória, in the presence, among others, of the Mayor, Lorenzo Pazzolini, and the Councillor for Sport and Leisure, Rodrigo Ronchi. In this way, the Salesian centre will become part of the "Escolinhas de Esporte" (Sports Schools) project, an initiative to coordinate the sports and recreational programs of the city, which already has more than 30 centres in the municipality. The project will allow as many as 450 children and adolescents between the ages of 7 and 15 to access, free of charge, the sports activities in the Salesian work, under the supervision of specialised professionals. The Salesian sports facilities include two swimming pools (one semi-Olympic and one aqua gym), a running track, a laboratory for weight training, volleyball nets, futsal tables, two playgrounds, as well as the Dom Bosco Arena, a complete gym.
(ANS – Dankotuwa) - On May 5, 2024, the Aspirants of Dankotuwa celebrated their patron, Dominic Savio with much enthusiasm. The High Mass, presided over by Fr Roshan Miranda, the provincial was the highlight of the day. The Savio Festa followed, featuring activities, games and other performances. The event was filled with joy, camaraderie, and cherished memories. The spirit of Dominic Savio would forever reside in the hearts of the Aspirants of Dankotuwa, guiding them on their journey of faith and fellowship. The whole celebration was well organized by Fr Susith Milroy, the Rector of Don Bosco Seminary, Dankotuwa.
Utrera, Spain - May 2024 - On Friday, 3 May the Salesian work in Utrera staged a theatrical performance dedicated to the figure of Mamma Margaret. The show, in four acts, is entitled “Mamá Margarita. Mujer, madre, maestra" (Mamma Margaret Woman, mother, teacher) and has served to raise funds for the restoration of the historic theatre in the Salesian presence. All the participants in the production are students, family members or people close to the Nuestra Señora del Carmen school, and the director and writer of the show was one of its teachers, Ana Corpas. "This theatrical performance was not only a tribute to Don Bosco's mother, but also a reminder of the fundamental role that mothers play in the formation and development of their children", testified the rector of the Salesians in Utrera, Fr Ramón Ronda.
(ANS – Pila) - The Don Bosco Rally of SYM was a much awaited event that had the objective of taking the young people from the Salesian Youth Movement of the province of Piła (SYM PLN) to the land of Don Bosco. The rally aimed to build and nurture the community and Salesian spirit among the young people, and also to commemorate the bicentenary of the dream of Don Bosco at the age of nine. The young participants traveled from various cities, including Gdańsk, Bydgoszcz, Gniezno and Świebodzin. The participants had the opportunity to visit all the places related to Don Bosco and his mission. The days were filled with fun and exploration, prayer and reflection, visiting the places of Don Bosco, Saint Dominic Savio and Saint Mary Dominic Mazzarello. The other days included visits to Garda, Gardaland, Verona and Venice. Apart from the fun and fraternal moments, every day the rally's rhythm was determined by the Holy Eucharist, Liturgy of the hours, Rosary and group work. This event organized by Fr Krzysztof Tomeczkowski involved 52 participants from various missions, and they were accompanied by 5 Salesians and 2 Salesian sisters, and was indeed a memorable experience for the young people.
(ANS - Curuzú Cuatiá) - On May 3, 2024 the Salesian Félix Quiroga was ordained a priest in Curuzú Cuatiá, Corrientes, in a ceremony presided over by Bishop Adolfo Canecín. The celebration was attended by family members, young people and members of the Salesian Family, who experienced an atmosphere of joy and familiarity. During the ceremony, the provincial, Fr Horacio Barbieri, addressed a few words to Quiroga: “Dear Félix: the Church and the people of God expect from priests fidelity to their vocation and perseverance, especially in difficult moments. We hope you find much happiness and spiritual fruit in your journey in the house of Don Bosco. May God bless you abundantly.”
(ANS - Colle Don Bosco) - The Salesian province of Piedmont (ICP) gathered together with her members to celebrate as a family the Provincial Community day. This year, the festivities were hosted at Colle Don Bosco on May 4, 2024. The significance of the venue was also due to the bicentenary of the dream of Don Bosco at the age of nine, which had lot of relevance for the province and the rest of the world. After the initial greetings, the jubilee celebrations (profession and ordination anniversaries) took place, with the presence of the provincial Fr Leonardo Mancini. The day was crowned by the Eucharistic Celebration, a fraternal lunch and a visit to the renovated places.