Hanoi, Vietnam – January 2024 – On 31 January, the Salesian Family in North Vietnam gathered at the Don Bosco Van Phuc community to celebrate the Feast of Don Bosco and study the Strenna 2024. The event was also attended by the Regional Councillor for East Asia-Oceania, Fr Joseph Nguyen Thinh Phuoc, who presided at the Mass. In his homily, the Councillor brought the greetings and encouragement of Cardinal Ángel Fernández Artime, Rector Major, and all the General Councillors and recalled the missionary journey of the first Salesians who arrived in Vietnam in 1952. The presentation of Strenna 2024 was then entrusted to Fr Tran Van Hao, Provincial Delegate of the North Vietnam Delegation. After the presentation, the participants were divided into four groups to share their experiences and dreams.

Santiago, Chile – January 2024 - The Salesian Family and friends of Don Bosco of Santiago celebrated the traditional Feast of Don Bosco with a solemn Eucharist, celebrated in the Don Bosco National Temple in La Cisterna, on the afternoon of 31 January. Along with the re-enactment of the story of the Saint of Youth, exciting moments were experienced such as the first religious profession of Gabriel Méndez and Matías Cifuentes, who became a Salesian of Don Bosco, professing the vows of obedience, poverty and chastity. The day also marked the beginning of commemoration activities for the 50th anniversary of the Salesian Youth Movement which began in 1974 and which during 2024 celebrates five decades of love for and dedication to the country's young people. The celebration was presided over by Fr Nelson Moreno, Provincial of the Salesians in Chile. Salesian Cardinal Ricardo Ezzati and Salesian Bishop Alberto Lorenzelli concelebrated, together with the Salesians of the different communities of the country. The central reflection of the celebration was the invitation of Cardinal Ángel Fernández, Rector Major to commemorate the 200th anniversary of Don Bosco's Dream at nine years of age. The image of Don Bosco was brought into the church, preceded by young people with flags, in a long procession next to his statue. Fr Nelson Moreno incensed the altar and the image of Don Bosco, while those present sang.

Montevideo, Uruguay – January 2024 - On Monday, 29 January, at the Eucharistic celebration presided over by Fr Gabriel Romero, Regional Councillor for South America, Fr Francisco Lezama was installed as the new Superior of the St Joseph Province, Uruguay (URU). The Eucharist was celebrated in the church of Mary Help of Christians in Maturana, with the participation of family members, a good group of Salesians from the Province, members of the Salesian Family, lay people from the different works and young people from the different groups and oratories. Also present was Salesian Cardinal Daniel Sturla, Archbishop of Montevideo. Fr Gabriel Romero, on behalf of the Rector Major, thanked Fr Alfonso Bauer and the Salesians who have been part of the provincial council in recent years, wishing them a fruitful ministry in their new missions. Fr Francisco Lezama thanked the Salesians for their fraternal support and motivated those present to continue building the provincial community together, with a spirit of fraternity, dialogue and listening.

Fatima, Portugal - January 2024 - The National Assembly of the Salesian Youth Movement (SYM) took place on 27 January, at the Fatima Shrine. The annual meeting brought together fifty young people linked to the Salesians of Don Bosco and the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians in the country. An assembly of young people accompanied by Salesians from all over Portugal, who help them on their journey together. The SYM Council promoted the meeting, offering formation on the movement and the five pillars of Salesian youth spirituality. Among those present were Fr Tarcizio Morais, Provincial of the Salesians of Don Bosco, and Sister Deolinda Teixeira, Superior of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians, who accompanied the young people in sharing and offered words of encouragement to continue their journey and to cultivate their dreams. The meeting also served to take stock of the work carried out during the year and discuss new forms of action. "Let's advance in the Dream!" is the theme of the year and was the motto of this assembly, which helped to reflect on the future of the movement.

Laguna, Philippines – 30 January 2024 - The community of the Don Bosco Aspirantate Formation House organised an academy entitled “Dreaming is Free,” in preparation for the Solemnity of St John Bosco and the Dream at nine years of age which this year celebrates its 200th anniversary. The story revolves around Gab, a student who wishes to become a Salesian but is somehow prevented from doing so because of the pressure he feels, as he also wants to realize his father's dream of becoming an engineer. His father finds the courage to allow his son to enter the House of Formation after consulting with a priest, Fr Gio. The story also features Gab's friends, who also have their own dreams and are quite resolute in their determination to pursue their careers. The story was written by Salesian Brother Roel Jude Mallari, assistant of the Aspirantate community. He was the director of the performance. With only two weeks to prepare, the Aspirantate community was able to successfully produce a 50-minute play focused on discerning their dream and vocation and their determination to follow them.

Comayagüela, Honduras - January 2024 - Over 500 children from May Help of Christians parish, Comayagüela, took part in the Juanito Bosco meeting held on 27 January, in the context of the Novena dedicated to Don Bosco. During the event the children participated in a competition called "Bosconario" in which they answered, according to their knowledge, questions regarding the life of St John Bosco. In addition, they also had the opportunity to have fun with games that referred to some aspects of the life of the Father and Teacher of Youth and to enjoy the snack that was prepared for them. The activity ended with the Rosary and the celebration of Mass with the entire parish community.