San Salvador, El Salvador - March 2024 - Thanks to the support of the Ministry of Cooperation of Germany BMZ, the Salesian Divine Saviour Province of Central America (CAM) and Don Bosco Mondo, together with the commitment of the Ricaldone Technical Institute, the photovoltaic energy production system with grid supply has been expanded. This system, consisting of over 400 panels, installed in the central building of the classrooms, will capture sunlight to convert it into electricity. The system will also have a 7 kilowatt peak solar system that will function as a practical module for the training process of future technicians. This training, which will be provided at the Ricaldone Vocational Training Centre, will include Professional Technical courses in Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency, whose training course is expected to start from the 2026 school year. With this renewable energy system, the Ricaldone Technical Institute reduces its environmental impact by 275 tons of CO2, and plans to reduce electricity costs by 45%, funds that will be allocated for the technical training of low-income students in the scholarship program. CAM Provincial, Fr Julio Navarro, SDB, congratulated the institution for carrying out this project.

Text and photographs by: Moisés Crisóstomo
Flickr Album: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjBhu3s

Mornese, Italy – March 2024 - From Sunday 10 to Saturday 16 March, the Rectors of the Salesians of Don Bosco and Superiors of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians in Piedmont, Valle d 'Aosta and Lithuania gathered in Mornese for the joint Spiritual Exercises. Very intense days led by Fr Giuseppe Roggia who proposed the morning reflections starting from the Letter to the Colossians and in the afternoon the historical-spiritual reading of Don Bosco's Dream at nine years of age. The day in silence, except for dinner and after dinner, created the environment to receive the contents in reflection and prayer, but also in spiritual exchanges. Prayer together was a moment of great benefit because the seriousness and harmony of spiritual styles and needs between the SDB and the FMA was "spontaneously" verified.

Perosa Argentina, Italy – March 2024 – On 19 March, Cardinal Ángel Fernández Artime, Rector Major of the Salesians of Don Bosco, presided over the Eucharist that concluded the jubilee year for the 270th anniversary of the parish church of Santa Maria Assunta in Pinasca. On the occasion, Cardinal Ángel Fernández Artime went to the cemetery in Perosa Argentina to pay tribute to three deceased Salesian priests: Fr Emilio Galliano and brothers Frs Pietro (Peter) and Luigi Zago, in the presence of their families. The Rector Major also paid tribute to Sister Ausilia Lussana Perosina, FMA, who died at a young age.

Córdoba, Argentina – March 2024 – The annual meeting of Presidents and Representatives of the Association of Mary Help of Christians (ADMA) in North Argentina took place at the Retreat House of the Pious Disciples of the Divine Saviour from 15 to 17 March. On the first day the 24 participants, representatives of 12 local ADMAs out of the 20 in the province, had an initial online meeting with Fr Gabriel Cruz, the new Spiritual Animator of the  ADMA Primary, who greeted them affectionately. Subsequently, Fr Alejandro Guevara held a conference entitled "I will give you a Teacher" followed by the retreat led by Fr Orlando Sánchez, SDB, ADMA animator. On the second day, the participants explored the theme of the Rector Major's Strenna 2024 and got to knowabout the local ADMAs. On the last day they listened to the testimonies of the young ADMA from Santa Fe with their various initiatives to spread devotion to Mary Help of Christians.

Krakow, Poland – March 2024 – The last edition of the Salesian Leadership School (SAS) for the 2023/2024 school year took place last weekend, 15-17 March. The Salesian Seminary in Krakow was filled with 150 young people, including volunteers from every corner of the Province of Krakow (PLS). They began the meeting by attending a representation of the Passion of Christ presented by the seminarians and friends of the Krakow Seminary. Saturday was very intense: several activities, first aid workshops, integration and examination of the participants in the second year of the SAS, all of whom passed with full marks. At the end of the day, there was worship session led by Fr Michał Libor, SDB, and a musical group animated by the seminarians. The SAS ended with the Holy Mass celebrated by Fr Marcin Kaznowski SDB, Superior of the PLS Province. The liturgical part was taken care of by the participants in the course for leaders of ceremonies, who, in parallel with the other leaders, were trained during this edition of the SAS.

Text: Karolina Krzymińska
photo: Adam Jabłoński

Ky Anh, Vietnam – March 2024 - In order to share and support poor people facing economic and health difficulties and in need of hospital care, the Don Bosco Kỳ Anh Vocational Training Centre has organised a "Love Sharing Program" by offering charity meals to poor patients. The activity is conducted by the students who prepare the meals and deliver them to the hospital. This volunteer initiative aims to educate students in the awareness of sharing and giving.