Bellflower, United States – January 2024 – The St John Bosco High School community in Bellflower gathered in recent days to celebrate the Feast of Don Bosco in the presence of the Auxiliary Bishop of Los Angeles, Bishop Marc Trudeau. The programme for celebrations was organised by the students, together with the new religion teacher, Mr James Ritter. For the whole community, celebrating Don Bosco means, even today, keeping his teachings and Salesian traditions alive. One of the students then remarked how meaningful it is to know that thousands of people around the world celebrate the same occasion, thus creating a sense of unity. At the end of the Mass, the students met to take part in field day which included numerous recreational activities.

Shillong, India – January 2024 - The Ka Sur Kynud Season 2 singing competition was held at the Don Bosco Technical School in Shillong on 31 January, on the occasion of the Feast of Don Bosco. The first prize was awarded by the Prime Minister of Meghalaya, Shri Conrad K Sangma, to student Ellery Kharkongor. Other prizes and awards were also given during the day. In particular, Bro. Mebanteilang Lyngdoh, SDB, received the Cilia Memorial 2023 award for his contribution in the field of writing and archiving news and events concerning the Province. Another award, the DBMNTVYouth Icon Award 2023, was also presented during the program. The Honourable Prime Minister conferred the award on Miss Dapalei Warjri for her contribution to young people in the field of fitness. The Prime Minister, in his speech, then thanked the Salesians for the transformation they have brought to society and encouraged young people to rejoice as the Salesians accompany and guide them in the challenges they face.

Río Negro, Argentina – January 2024 – About a hundred young people, leaders, lay people and consecrated individuals gathered at the Stefenelli Retreat House in Río Negro for the"Cafasso Experience", a School for Salesian Youth Movement (SYM) leaders in the Comahue Region. From 26 to 28 January, with the motto "Listening transforms us", inspired by the figure of St Joseph Cafasso, John Bosco's formator and confessor, there were there were opportunities for understanding what it means to listen, and for active listening. Practical experiences were shared on how to accompany young people today and how, by combining these two actions, one can transform reality and links with others. The meeting was accompanied by Salesian Brother Agustín Camilletti, Delegate for Youth Ministry in the Salesian Province of Southern Argentina (ARS). During the final Eucharist, presided over by Fr Darío Perera, ARS Provincial, postnovices Augusto Bravo, Leonardo Díaz, Braian Fernández, Luciano Piccirilli and Mauro Rossato renewed their vows as Salesians.

Cartagena, Colombia – January 2024 - In the ordinary session of the District Council of Cartagena, held on 31 January, the Salesian Vocational Schools and the Salesian community in Cartegena were granted well-deserved recognition for their commitment to social promotion of the most vulnerable in the city community. This recognition highlights the constant commitment of the Salesian Vocational Schools and the Salesian community to the education and integral formation of young people in vulnerable situations, offering them opportunities for personal, academic and professional development. For years, Salesian Vocational Schools have been a beacon of hope for many young people in Cartagena, providing them not only with quality education, but also with human and moral values that allow them to become upright citizens committed to their community. This recognition by the Cartagena District Council is a well-deserved tribute to the dedication and sacrifice of all those who, day after day, work tirelessly to build a better future for young people and, therefore, for the entire community. The Salesian Vocational Schools and the Salesian community in Cartagena deeply appreciate this gesture of recognition and renew their commitment to continue working with passion and dedication for the well-being and integral formation of the most needy young people in society.

Rome, Italy – February 2024 - Don Bosco's childhood, his arrival in Turin, the historical context of Risorgimento Italy, the origin of the first oratories in the 1840s, his ability to listen, to look around to respond to people's real needs; but above all his intuition of being a father for young orphans - as he had been - and that the oratory was a "home" for everyone. On the occasion of the feast of Don Bosco, all the staff of the  Volontariato Internazionale per lo Sviluppo (VIS) NGO at their Rome headquarters met, on Friday, 2 February, for a morning together with Fr Luca Barone from Salesian Headquarters and member of the Executive Committee of the VIS. Fr Barone led a reflection and a moment of discussion around the figure of the founder of the Salesians, re-reading his message to recognise him today as a guide for the values and work of the NGO, active in over 20 countries with international cooperation projects in close synergy with the Salesian Congregation. The morning ended with a Mass together in the Salesian community at San Callisto and lunch, in addition to the promise to make these moments increasingly an integral part of the life of the organisation in order to continue exploring together a message that after 200 years still has much to say, anywhere in the world.

Lawaan, Philippines – January 2024 – On 27 January, a few days before the Feast of Don Bosco, the Don Bosco Youth Center in Lawaan organised a youth vigil, also aimed at commemorating the Bicentennial of the Dream at Nine Years of Age. The event took place at the Pilgrims Hall at the Centre and brought together students and young people from various schools and environments, each with different personalities, experiences and dreams. Fr Vince Michael Sabal, SDB, SYM Delegate for FIS Province, gave the opening address, during which he provided insights into the life of St John Bosco. Subsequently, other presentations were held, led by different speakers, and a video on Don Bosco was screened. Then participants were divided into groups to share their thoughts and dreams. After this group activity, everyone returned to the Pilgrims Hall for Eucharistic Adoration, and certificates were delivered. Finally, Fr Andy Mendoza, Rector of the Lawaan Center, farewelled those present after the traditional "good night".