Santiago, Chile – April 2024 - The activities of the Salesian Youth Movement (SYM) for 2024 began on Saturday, 13 April. The place chosen for the occasion was the same place where it all began 50 years ago, the Camilo Ortúzar Montt school in Macul, where over 400 young people from all over the country converged. The celebration was particularly special, given that 2024 marks the 50th anniversary of the existence of SYM in Chile and the 200th anniversary of Don Bosco's Childhood dream. The motto chosen for the occasion was: "A dream that has changed your story and mine". During the day after the reception animated by the music of the Bosco Sonora Band, there were entertainment shows, moments of reflection and sharing focused on gratitude for those who made these 50 years of SYM possible. Fr David Rivera, Provincial Delegate for Salesian Youth Ministry, stressed that this great initial activity of the SYM takes place in all Salesian presences in the country and that every year there are more and more participants.

Abidjan, Ivory Coast – April 2024 – The Second Provincial Chapter of the Salesian Province of South West Africa (AOS) began on 15 April at the Salesian St Francis of Assisi Parish in Koumassi, Abidjan. The 46 members of the Provincial Chapter were warmly welcomed by the faithful at the Salesian parish with a traditional welcoming ceremony. Subsequently, Fr Sylvain Marie Agbangba, Moderator of the Provincial Chapter, presided at adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. The official opening of the Provincial Chapter was given by Fr Denis Soro, Superior of the AOS Province, during the Mass celebrated by Bishop. Raymond Ahoua, Bishop of the Diocese of Grand Bassam. During his homily, the Bishop encouraged Chapter members to allow themselves to be led by the Holy Spirit during the work and also expressed his gratitude to the Salesians for their work and significant presence in the animation of youth ministry in his diocese. After a fraternal agape, the Chapter members went to the Capuchin reception centre (Abidjan) to begin the second day of Chapter work.

Istanbul, Turkey – April 2024 - Salesian Stephen K.L. Koso made his perpetual religious profession during a solemn Mass celebrated by Fr Reinhard Gesing, SDB, Superior of the Salesian Province of Germany (GER) . The celebration took place on Saturday 6 April in the church of Notre Dame de Lourdes in the Bomonti district of Istanbul, run by the Salesians. The ceremony was attended by numerous religious from various communities, children and young people, as well as collaborators of the Salesian projects in the metropolis on the Bosphorus. The Apostolic Vicar of Istanbul, Bishop Massimiliano Palinuro, was present as a guest of honour. The Salesians of Don Bosco have been in the Bomonti district since 1903 and the Salesian presence in Turkey, belonging to the GER Province, carries out numerous educational activities through elementary and middle school, the oratory and youth centre, and apostolate activities among refugees and immigrants. In addition, the Salesian Cooperators and ADMA have a centre.

Turin, Italy – April 2024 - The Salesian Spiritual Accompaniment School promoted and led by the Sector for the Formation at Salesian Headquarters in Rome has reached its sixth edition. The school, in English, began on 7 April 2024 in Valdocco with 25 participants from 18 Provinces of 4 Salesian Regions: East Asia-Oceania, South Asia, Africa-Madagascar and Central and North Europe. The first week was spent in Valdocco reflecting on the roots of the spirituality of St John Bosco, on his experience of formation at the Convitto, and on his experience of going almost uninterruptedly for more than 30 years to St Ignatius at Lanzo, for the spiritual exercises, Joining Fr Joseph Cafasso. It was also a time to visit and get to know the different Don Bosco places in Turin. Currently, participants are in their second week at Colle Don Bosco where they are conducting the individually guided silent retreat with five spiritual guides. It is an experience much appreciated by all the previous participants for the profound religious experience experienced. After these two weeks, there will be another three weeks of school where participants will learn what spiritual accompaniment means from a Salesian charismatic perspective.

Anisakan, Myanmar – April 2024 – The Provincial Chapter of the Salesian Vice-Province of Myanmar (MYM) ended on 13 April. It began on 10 April at the Don Bosco Retreat Centre in Anisakan. The Provincial Chapter took place in a serene and fraternal atmosphere, despite the clashes that took place in the city of Pyin Oo Lwin, in the Mandalay region, 11 kilometres from the Anisakan Retreat Centre. At the end of the Chapter, the 22 Chapter members who took part returned to their respective communities, thanking the Lord for protecting them during this time and continuing to ask that they pray for peace in the country.

Santiago, Chile – April 2024 – About 80 representatives of the Salesian schools in Chile participated in the Educational and Pastoral Day for Headmasters, Legal Representatives, Rectors and Administrators, held at the Holy Spirit Retreat House, on Thursday 4 and Friday 5 April. The objective of the event was to offer a synodal space for formation and common outreach between religious and lay people, to promote the continuous improvement of the Salesian Schools Network, for an integral formation of young people. The meeting began with the Eucharist, presided over by Fr Nelson Moreno, Superior of the Salesian Province of Chile (CIL) and concelebrated by the Vice-Provincial Fr Juan Bustamante and the Provincial Economer, Fr Néstor Muñoz. The participants then received an official welcome from Fr David Rivera, Delegate for Youth Ministry, and from Manuel Catalán, Director of the Salesian Schools Network. In the first part of the meeting, Fr Moreno spoke in depth about the service of the Province, according to the Salesian Constitutions and underlined the Rector Major's Action Guidelines for 2024-2030. Subsequently, Fr Heriberto Cabrera spoke about the pastoral guidelines of the Episcopal Conference of Chile and their link with the Salesian charism, also explaining the process of discernment that the Chilean Church is experiencing. The work continued with the Educational Improvement Plan (PME), a theme developed by Johanna Mora. On the last day, then, a video was presented with the Rector Major's greetings to the Provincial and his Council.