Warsaw, Poland - November - On 11 November, on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the independence of Poland, at the Royal Castle of Warsaw, Msgr. Antoni Baraniak (1904-1977), Salesian, Metropolitan Archbishop of Poznań, martyr of the communist system, Servant of God, was awarded post mortem the Order of White Eagle by the President of the Polish Republic, Andrzej Duda. The award was withdrawn by the son of the sister of Msgr. Baraniak, the nephew Zenon Łakomy, who declared: "This honor my uncle received thanks to many people who have commemorated his martyrdom and his suffering". Mgr. Baraniak was one of the 25 eminent Poles of the last century who were honored with the highest Polish recognition. On the occasion of the centenary, a special message was also sent by Pope Francis.

Tijuana, Mexico - November 14, 2018 - The "Salesian Refectory Father Chava" in Tijuana, on the border between Mexico and the United States, is currently receiving hundreds of migrants who are part of the caravan going to the United States. The Salesian House offers migrants food, medical assistance and a place to stay to those who request it.

Limassol, Cyprus - November 2018 - The Salesian High School in Wrocław, Poland, is the beneficiary of the Erasmus+ program for the fifth time. This year it participates in the "Geoparks of Europe" project, coordinated by the Deputy Director Magdalena Szewczyk. The first meeting of this project took place in Cyprus from 4 to 8 November and was attended by various schools from Poland, Cyprus, France, Spain, Hungary and Bulgaria. The students each presented their school and city and participated in a Physics lesson. They also attended classes at the "Trodoos Geopark" educational center and were able to learn about the rocks that make up the mountains, the flora and fauna of the geo-park; they learned how the seismograph works and went on an excursion. The students also worked in groups to develop a presentation of the project and the teachers chose the best photographs of flora and fauna that the students took for the competition.
Project website: www.geoparks.erasmusproject.eu

Canlubang, Philippines - October 2018 - About 200 members of the Association of Mary Help of Christians (ADMA) of the Philippines met on 27 October to celebrate the XXXVI National Convention. Fr Gregorio Bicomong, SDB, presented the conference on the theme "History and meaning of the Construction of the Basilica of Mary Help of Christians", followed by the Eucharistic celebration during which members of ADMA renewed their promise and recited the ADMA commitment. In the afternoon there were various activities of prayer, meditation and Marian songs, and a short program of dances and songs. The meetings of the two SDB and FMA delegates for the ADMA of the Philippines, respectively Fr Elmer Sicar and Sr. Christine Maguyon, concluded the meeting.

Vadodara, India - November 2018 - The Salesian "Don Bosco Roshni" organized a creative design workshop for over 400 children from the shantytown who attend daily lessons as support to their studies. The initiative took place from October 30th to November 3rd under the aegis of "Children Education Project" and was supported by the Spanish NGO "Manos Unidas". The children were taught different types of design associated with traditional Indian festivals. Students from the shanty towns who study at the Don Bosco High School offered their voluntary contribution to the event.

San Pedro Carchá, Guatemala - November 2018 - About 4,500 indigenous children, from 185 rural communities, gathered in the football stadium of the city of San Pedro Carchá to celebrate the conclusion of their "Sunday School" year through the "Festival of missionary children." The event, characterized by multiple activities, was promoted and coordinated by 1,500 young catechists who lead the "Sunday School", a catechetical project that follows the scheme of local schools. The soul of the "Sunday School" are the Sisters of the Resurrection, a young indigenous congregation of the Salesian Family, distinguished by their capacity in the catechetical animation of over 300 rural communities of the Salesian missionary parish.