Hong Kong – 6 April 2024 – In early April, the Salesian Mary Help of Christians province based in Hong Kong (CIN), held its 24th Provincial Chapter. The 25 participants representing the 81 Salesians residing in Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan, gathered at the Shaukeiwan Salesian House of Studies, in addition to the young Salesians in initial formation and two collaborators from the youth ministry mission invited as observers. On the final day, Fr Joseph Phuoc, Councillor for the East Asia-Oceania Region, presided over the ceremony of installation of the new Superior of the Hong Kong Province, Fr Domingos Leong. After the regional Councillor‘s words of encouragement,  Fr Leong took the floor and shared with those present his vision of the Province of Hong Kong, in which the Salesians, faithful to their charismatic identity, work side by side and with enthusiasm with the Salesian Family and the collaborators of the mission for the good of young people. Special thanks were given to Fr Joseph Ng, former CIN Provincial, for his diligence and loving care during his tenure.

Benicasi, Spain – April 2024 - The intense final section of the second session of the Provincial Chapter of Spain's Mary Help of Christians Province (SMX) took place on 4 April. The contributions of the groups were presented in the Chapter assembly after the work carried out on the Provincial's report, focused on "Let's dream together of our Province. Faithful to reality, to the voice of the Holy Spirit and to our charismatic identity." Along these lines, the young Salesians and those in formation presented to the participants which Province they dream of, with its challenges and opportunities, after a work of reflection carried out by about fifteen of them. Subsequently, the two representatives of the SMX Province and their substitutes were elected to the GC29. Through the website and intranet of the CI24 of the SMX Province, presented by the Moderator, Fr Miguel Ángel Álvarez, the Chapter members voted by electing Fr Jordi Lleixà, Provincial Delegate for Youth Ministry, and Fr José Luis Navarro, Vice-Provincial, who accepted the nomination at the request of the Moderator. In the final stage, a vote was taken to approve the contributions that the Mary Help of Christians Province will make to GC29 in the three core areas. In the concluding Eucharist Fr Fernando Miranda, SMX Provincial, thanked the Salesians and the laity for the work done in this Easter season.

Ivato, Madagascar – April 2024 - The Mary Immaculate Vice-Province of Madagascar and Mauritius (MDG), celebrated its 11th Provincial Chapter from 3 to 5 April 2024. The opening of the Provincial Chapter, with 34 Chapter members, was marked by the presence of Archbishop Tomasz Grysa, Apostolic Nuncio in Madagascar and Bishop Rosario Vella, SDB, Bishop of the Diocese of Moramanga. The Apostolic Nuncio held an evocative conference on the same theme as the next GC29 "PASSIONATE ABOUT JESUS CHRIST, DEDICATED TO YOUNG PEOPLE". The Chapter work continued in the afternoon with several opening addresses followed by the general presentation of the program by Fr Ramasindroavola Jean Venance, Chapter Moderator. The second day was dedicated to the work of the committees on the three core areas of the GC29 followed by the reports in the assembly with discussion. Then the Delegate of the MDG Vice-Province for GC29, Fr Rakotovao Fabien and his substitute, Fr Ramasindroavola Jean Venance, were elected. The entire afternoon of this third day was dedicated to the scrutiny and final vote on the Chapter documents and to the closing with the thanks of the Moderator and the final address by Fr Innocent Bizimana, Superior of the MDG Vice-Province.

Dili, East Timor – April 2024 –  the Extraordinary Visitation of the Councillor for the East Asia-Oceania Region, Fr Joseph Phuoc, to the Saint Callistus Caravario Vice-Province in East Timor (TLS), which began on February 20, ended on Wednesday 3 April. On behalf of the Rector Major, Card. Ángel Fernández Artime, the Councillor visited the country, meeting the Salesians, listening carefully to their vocational stories and dedicating time to dialogue and sharing. In all circumstances he brought Salesians, members of the Salesian Family and  the young people the joyful greeting and affection of the Rector Major. In recent days, Fr Phuoc participated in the appointments for Holy Week and celebrated Easter in the presence of the TLS Superior, Fr. Anacleto Pires, and his Council. During the last day of the Extraordinary Visitation, Fr Phuoc presided at the Eucharist for the entire Salesian Family of East Timor, accompanied by Fr Pires, the Provincial Council, the Rectors of Salesian houses and other Salesian priests. At the end of the Extraordinary Visitation, the Salesians of East Timor said that a new beginning is now opening for them, to put into practice the recommendations left by the Councillor.

Rango, Rwanda – April 2024 - Fr Alfred Maravilla, General Councillor for the Missions, preached the annual retreat for the post-novices of the Charles Lwanga Africa Great Lakes (AGL) Vice-Province at the Don Bosco Spiritual Centre in Rango. from 31 March to 6 April 2024. Since the retreat house is adjacent to the Novitiate, Fr Maravilla was also able to greet the seven novices of the AGL Vice-Province and give them the Salesian Goodnight.

Tonacatepeque, El Salvador – April 2024 – Youth in Salesian programs in cantons of Tonacatepeque, El Salvador, received laptops for school and bicycles thanks to a donation from World Vision secured by Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. The bicycles, distributed by the Laura Vicuña Pro Education Foundation, were given to 120 boys and girls. In addition, 163 others, including siblings and mothers, will benefit from the bicycles. The bicycles will serve as a means of transportation to go to school, take corn to the mill, carry water jugs and to have fun with neighborhood friends. To distribute the bicycles, an athletic competition was held for youth in the age categories of 8-9 years old, 10-12 years old, and 13-15 years old. Competitions were held separately for boys and girls for each age group. The winners received the bicycles.