(ANS – Buenos Aires) - On May 7, 2024, on the Argentine institutional day of CUIA (Italian University Consortium for Argentina), a round table was held in Buenos Aires on the theme "Patagonia and Tierra del Fuego. From the explorations of Don Alberto De Agostini to the Italo-Argentine research on geology and the natural environment." In the prestigious venue of the Italian Cultural Institute, Admiral Antonio Natale, Professor Salvatore Barba, scientific attaché of the Italian embassy, Professor Tondi, president of CUIA, and numerous Italian and Argentine university professors were present and spoke, either in person or remotely. As evident, Don De Agostini was remembered in numerous interventions and was the focus of Fr Francesco Motto's speech, who outlined a brief profile and the relevance of De Agostini, recalling the conference held by the ISS in April 2022 with its proceedings: "Don Alberto Maria De Agostini, the last explorer of the 'end of the world' [1883-1960]" (Rome, LAS 2022). At the end of the day, the exhibition “Patagonia y Tierra del Fuego: From the explorations of Don Alberto Maria De Agostini to the Italo-Argentine research on Geology and Environment” was inaugurated, where the panels from the exhibition in Rome in April 2022 were presented again at the UPS campus. With his splendid and inimitable photographs, and his pioneering film “Terre Magellaniche,” also presented during the CUIA event, Don De Agostini thus regained the attention of intellectuals from both worlds, his birthplace and his adopted home beyond the Atlantic, the ocean he had crossed ten times.

Campinas, Brazil – May 2024 - On Saturday 4 May, altar servers, acolytes and masters of ceremony in the Our Lady Help of Christians Province Sao Paolo, Brazil (BSP) met at the Liceu Nossa Senhora Auxiliadora community in Campinas, for the annual provincial meeting. 603 participants, including children, adolescents and young adults, accompanied by the coordinators of the groups and their tutors, experienced moments of spirituality, reflection, conviviality, joy and fun, under the protection of Saint Dominic Savio, whose feast day for the Salesian Family is celebrated on 6 May. Fr Tiago Eliomar Gonçalves de Morais, Missions Delegate  and coordinator of Vocational Animation for BSP Province, led the first activity: a game of questions and answers on catechetical, biblical, Salesian and liturgical themes. In the afternoon, after awards to coordinators of the groups for all their commitment, there was a free oratory moment where everyone could play football and volleyball, dance, play with inflatables and interact with others. At the end of the day, Fr Eliomar led Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament.

Palermo, Italy – April 2024 - The 17th Marian Day of the Association of Mary Help of Christians (ADMA) in Sicily was held on Sunday, 28 April at the Mother Mazzarello institute of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians in Palermo. Over 260 people from 11 ADMA centres in the region gathered in the theatre, welcomed by the association's Council, led by President Salvatore Di Maio, who began the day with an opening prayer. "We are children of a dreamer and for this reason we are called to dream big," said young Salesian Fr Stefano Cortesiano, who offered a reflection on "a dream that makes a mark". The second address was by Fr Salvatore Nicosia, spiritual animator of the ADMA in Floridia, who stressed that today it is difficult to dream because of the wounds that life causes, but that they can also contribute to transforming pain into a dream. There were also some testimonies, starting with the presentation of a large group of young people, who told of their experience of belonging and active participation in ADMA initiatives. The morning ended with the Eucharistic celebration inside the chapel at the institute.

Cochabamba, Bolivia – May 2024 -  Salesian Communication Days were held at the Fátima retreat house from 2-3 May, involving more than 25 communicators from Salesian works. "Walking in the digital world: formats and production of content for social networks" was the title of the conference, where new communication talents were discovered through the voices of young people and where different communication products imbued with the Salesian charism came into existence with great creativity. The Delegate for Social Communication of the Province of Bolivia (BOL), Fr Miguel Córdova, accompanied this formative journey, together with Fr Henry Córdova, Delegate for Youth Ministry. At the end of the event, the participating communicators received a book entitled "So as not to forget. One hundred years of Salesian life in Bolivia", the magazine of the Salesian Bulletin as well as a tripod for mobile phones. This initiative came about with the aim of promoting the creation of digital content for the shared Salesian mission of educating and evangelising young people.

Shillong, India – May 2024 – The Fifth Provincial Chapter of the Salesian Saint John Paul II Province of Shillong, India (INS) began on 7 May with a day full of spiritual reflections and opening ceremonies. The activities began with meditation, which began at 6:30 am, and Morning Prayer led by Fr Bernard Pala.  There were several talks and it culminated with the Eucharist celebrated by Fr John Zosiama, INS Provincial. The opening ceremony took place in the afternoon, beginning with a warm welcome and an introduction by Fr Denis Lalfela, Provincial Chapter Moderator. The Assembly invoked the Holy Spirit with hymns and prayers, led by Fr Zosiama. The ritual lighting of the lamp followed, accompanied by congratulations from various guests, including Fr Richard Majaw, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Shillong, and representatives of various congregations and associations. Messages of encouragement and appreciation were also received from Fr Alphonse Owoudou, Councillor for the Africa-Madagascar Region and Moderator the GC29, and Fr. Biju Michael, Councillor for the South Asia Region. Fr Zosiama then officially declared the Fifth Provincial Chapter open, marking the beginning of the deliberations aimed at promoting the mission of the Saint John Paul II Province and the Salesian community at the service of young people. The Provincial Chapter will conclude on 10 May with the election of the Delegate for GC29 to be held in Turin in 2025 and his substitute.

Turin, Italy – April 2024 - The second and last session of the 11th Provincial Chapter of the  Piedmont and Valle d 'Aosta  Special Circumscription (ICP) took place from 24 to 27 April in Valdocco. The first session took place on 2-3 April. The Chapter Assembly consisted of 80 Salesians and at various times 12 young Salesians, 2 Daughters of Mary Help of Christians, 14 lay people who share responsibility for the mission and 13 young people from the Salesian Youth Movement also took part as guests. In addition to disucssion and exploration of the three core areas of the 29th General Chapter, the Provincial Chapter worked on other topics: the report on the status of the ICP Province, which was followed by the work in the Commissions and in the Assembly; the presentation and dialogue on the Eductive and Pastoral Plan (SEPP), led by the Youth Ministry delegate and by the collaborators of the Youth Ministry Office; the question of reshaping, to which a suitable working time was dedicated in the Commissions and in the Assembly, to offer the Provincial and his Council points of attention and guidance. At the end of the 11th Provincial Chapter, votes were held on the documents to be sent to the GC29 and the choice of the two provincial delegates to the next General Chapter.