São Paulo, Brazil - July 2018 - On July 13th, the Hippotherapy Research and Development Center, the "9th July" Horse Police Regiment and the São Paulo Military Police began the third course of the "Gira Mondo" project, which offers horse riding for therapeutic purposes. Over 60 children, disabled or with special needs, from the Don Bosco Institute take part in the six-monthly course. Hippotherapy is a therapeutic and educational method that uses the horse within an interdisciplinary approach in the areas of health, education and equitation, encouraging the psychosocial development of the participants.
Rome, Italy - July 2018 - On July 26, with the celebration of the Eucharist, the Summer Session of the General Council concluded. The Rector Major, Fr Ángel Fernández Artime, X Successor of Don Bosco, said: "We have concluded two months of meetings with the General Council. We have accompanied the whole Salesian world, in which we see above all that the Congregation is very much alive ... There is a constant search to respond to the young and the most needy." The Rector Major also reported that during this period, 10 Provincials, 10 Provincial Vicars, 16 Provincial Economers, a Delegate, 123 Directors and 6 Novice Masters were appointed.
Ben Cat, Vietnam - July 2018 - As part of the summer sports festival, which takes place in the Salesian center of Ben Cat, a basketball tournament began on 14 July, with the participation of 26 teams, 10 women's and 16 men's.
Tanzania - July 2018 - Salesian Brother Johan Bugeja and two young volunteers, Luca Cacciattolo and Glen Farrugia, from the new Vice Province of Malta, embarked on a trip to Tanzania in early July to bring their contribution to various Salesian houses. The first stage was the Salesian novitiate of Morogoro, where they were welcomed by the community and 11 novices. During their stay, they participated in the community program in the morning, at the primary school "Mt. Carmel ", while the afternoon was reserved for the sports activities of the adjacent Salesian oratory. Then they moved to Dodoma, where the Salesian house runs a Secondary School Seminary and a Technical Institute. In the morning, they help in the renovation of the Institute and follow the program of the seminar students in the evening.
Bangkok, Thailand - July 2018 - On July 25th, the Thai Salesian Bulletin team met for the first time in the provincial house in Bangkok to carry out their annual planning and development. The meeting was led by Fr Ekasit Talhakultorn, SB Director, together with representatives of the Salesian Family and Salesian Bishop Joseph Prathan Sridarunsil, President of the Social Communications Commission of the Thai Episcopal Conference. The Thai SB, with over 650 editions in 61 years, plays an important role as promoter of the Salesian Province and fosters relationships among the members of the Salesian Family.
Vatican City, Vatican - July 2018 - On 25 July, in the Salesian community of the Vatican, the inaugural ceremony of the new director, Fr. Alberto Lorenzelli, took place. The Rector Major, Fr Ángel Fernández Artime, thanked Fr Sergio Pellini for the work accomplished during the years. Present at the event: Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, SDB; Cardinal Raffaele Farina, SDB; Fr Pascual Chávez; and several members of the General Council.