Antioquia, Colombia – January 2024 – Mass was celebrated for the first professions of nine Salesian novices belonging to the Provinces of Colombia, Ecuador and Venezuela on the afternoon of 13 January in the chapel of the Santo Domingo Savio Salesian House in La Ceja (Antioquia). The main celebrant was Fr Luis Fernando Valencia, Superior of the Salesian Province of Medellín, who stressed the importance of the Dream at nine years of age in his homily. Accompanying the young Salesians, in addition to a large group of family and friends, were Fr Marcelo Farfán, Superior of the Province of Ecuador; Fr Rafael Montenegro, Superior of the Province of Venezuela; Fr Jhon Jairo Gómez Rúa, Superior of the Province of Colombia-Bogotá and Fr Juan Pablo Alcas Michilot, Superior of the Province of Peru.

Amatitán, Mexico – January 2024 - The local Social Communication (SC) Delegates and their teams met for the Social Communication Days in the Salesian Province of Mexico-Guadalajara (MEG from 9 to 11 January, at the Casa Betsaida in Amatitán, State of Jalisco. Each year, these SC Days allow participants to share, discuss, reflect and foster ongoing formation in the field of SC and the Salesian mission. The programme focused on collaborative work, the development of critical thinking and the analysis of the communicator's work in different Salesian environments. The most important aspect of this meeting was the work done to specify and unify the SC criteria for the proper conduct of communication processes within the works and the MEG Province. The event was led by Salesian Brother José Iván Vega, Social Communication Delegate for MEG Province, assisted by Montserrat Cortés and Alejandro Corona, both Salesian Cooperators, members of the Provincial SC Office. Fr Filiberto González, MEG Provincial, participated in the event, inviting participants to put people at the centre of communication, to be great observers, to give priority to meaningful listening and dialogue and to "give voice to those who do not have it, to be witnesses of the faith and to be educators in SC." In addition, a diagnosis of social networks was carried out and common criteria were developed for preparing the Province Manual. On the last day, joint work was carried out to create a communication strategy.

Tonj, South Sudan - January 2024 - Every year, in view of the feast of St John Bosco, the Salesian Don Bosco Mission in Tonj organises several events and initiatives for the young people at the mission. This year, the past pupils of the mission organised a soccer tournament for peace to honour St John Bosco . The young people said they would like to pass on the values and virtues of the “Young Peoples Saint” to future generations. The purpose of the tournament is to promote peace among young people and help them channel their strength and energy into sport to form a healthy body and mind. This initiative is very important for the young people of Tonj as they witness the ongoing war in Sudan. Hundreds of young people pass through Tonj's Don Bosco Mission every year through Primary School, Secondary School, Don Bosco Radio, the Festive Oratory and the Parish Youth Centre, so this initiative motivates Salesian past pupils to be grateful for what they have received and to pass on the legacy to the next generation.

Kinshasa, DR Congo – January 2024 – The Salesian Missionary Group organised a day of missionary formation around the theme: "Young people and the Church: Alliance or breakup?” "on Sunday, 14 January. This day of formation took place at the Salesian community's IG2 – Don Bosco in the municipality of Gombe. The day began with a Eucharistic celebration presided over by Fr Jerry Matsoumbou, Delegate for Youth Ministry in the Africa Congo Congo (ACC) Vice-Province, concelebrated by Fr. Titus Mwamba, director of the IG 2 community – Don Bosco, and Fr. Jacques Isha, who accompanies the missionary group. After the Mass, the day continued with a talk given by Fr Matsoumbou. This talk was followed by a moment full of clarifying questions on the subject, exchanges and enriching discussions. This formative moment was followed by the fraternal sharing of a meal and the traditional evening word, given by Fr Isha, leader of the group.

Dingli, Malta – January 2024 – Salesians in the Mary Help of Christians Vice-Province of Malta (MLT) met on 13 January 13, at Savio House in Dingli to join one of the meetings held as part of a process of discernment on the life of the Vice-Province. The meeting focused on community life, in particular on life in communion. This discernment process is being led by Professor Edward Warrington, an expert in leading groups and individuals in discernment processes and spiritual exercises in the style of St Ignatius of Loyola. The Professor's approach, the Salesians in Malta explain, is close to what Don Bosco himself must have experienced for many years at the Shrine of Sant'Ignazio sopra Lanzo. This process and these meetings are then destined to flow into the Provincial Chapter to be held at the end of May 2024.

Rumbek, South Sudan - January 2024 - 94 young people from 17 parishes in the Catholic diocese of Rumbek walked 140 km to the Sacred Heart Parish at the Don Bosco Mission in Tonj. The young people were accompanied by Bishop Christian Carlassare, bishop of Rumbek, 3 priests and 7 men and women religious. The theme of the pilgrimage was "Be the seeds of hope", taken from the farewell speech of Pope Francis' three-day visit to South Sudan in February 2022. The young people started their pilgrimage on 7 January from Rumbek and arrived in Tonj on 13 January. During these 7 days of the journey for peace, young people reflected on the various speeches of Pope Francis. In line with the theme, the young people from the diocese sowed hope and peace along the streets from Rumbek to Tonj. Their pilgrimage has left an indelible mark on the hearts and minds of the people of South Sudan. The conclusion of their pilgrimage was marked by the start of the Diocesan Eucharistic Congress in the Parish of the Sacred Heart. On 13 January, the faithful from Sacred Hart Parish in Tonj walked for 8 km to Amecok, a suburban station of Tonj Parish, to welcome the pilgrims and accompany them to Tonj.