Asunción, Paraguay – July 2024 – On 30 July, at the Shrine of Mary Help of Christians in Asunción, Fr Gabriel Romero, Councillor for the America South Cone Region, presided over the installation ceremony of Fr Néstor Ledesma as Superior of the Salesian Province of Paraguay (PAR) for the 2024-2030 period. The ceremony was accompanied by Archbishop Edmundo Valenzuela, SDB, Archbishop emeritus of Asunción, Bishop Gabriel Escobar, SDB, Bishop of the Apostolic Vicariate of the Paraguayan Chaco, by numerous Salesians, members of the Salesian Family and young people in the Salesian Youth Movement. Fr Néstor Ledesma thus became the 14th Provincial of PAR. "May the Lord give you a compassionate heart to be close to your Salesian brothers, to the many and generous lay people of our Family and our works, to the many young people that Providence entrusts to us" said Fr Romero to the new Provincial, also thanking him for having accepted this challenge. Fr Ledesma, at the end of the celebration, thanked Fr Mario Villalba, former PAR Provincial, for his six years of service.

Tigaraksa, Indonesia – 29 July 2024 – The Salesians of the Don Bosco Vice-Province of Indonesia (INA) took part in their annual retreat at the Salesian community in Tigaraksa-Tangerang. The participants were divided into two groups: the first held the retreat from 23 to 29 June, led by Bishop Patrick Buzon, SDB, Bishop of the Diocese of Bacolod; the second from 21 to 27 July, accompanied by Fr Tarisius Trianto, SDB.

Yangon, Myanmar – July 2024 – In Myanmar's Buddhist culture, there are five categories that people admire and respect a lot: Buddha (God), religion, monks, parents, and teachers/masters. Since the parents are on the same level as Buddha in whom they believe, the people of Myanmar pay homage to their parents after Lent, imploring their forgiveness and offering them gifts. Catholics celebrate the feast of Saints Joachim and Anna as Parents' Day, or as the occasion when parents are asked for forgiveness and shown gratitude. For many pastoral reasons, the feast is always moved to the nearest Sunday, so that all the faithful can join the occasion. That is why this year the Salesian parish of the Child Jesus in Yangon celebrated it on 28 July. The ceremony began with Mass presided over by Fr Mariano Soe Naing who, during the homily, spoke of unconditional love and the care that parents pour out abundantly on their children. After Mass, the young people paid tribute to their parents, elders, priests and sisters. They were given gifts and presents to each, from different groups and families. The celebration continued in the afternoon, with songs, traditional dances and a short play about the parents' love for their children.

Palo, Philippines – July 2024 - United by enthusiasm and hope, 529 people from all over the Philippines took part in the 22nd 2024 National Conference of Delegates for Youth Ministry, held in Palo, at the Leyte Convention Center, from 17 to 21 July. The dense programme of the conference, focused on  "Hope", involved Church personalities and expert speakers who helped the participants to understand and reflect on various important issues. The programme included, in addition to the Eucharistic celebrations, moments of prayer, sharing, a round table and simultaneous mini-conferences to address the urgent social problems affecting young people. The sessions provided delegates with the knowledge and skills needed to address these challenges in their communities. In addition,  Youth Ministry Delegates were able to participate in a practical workshop focused on strengthening their roles in the Church and appreciating their abilities to lead young people on their path of growth.

Phnom Penh, Cambodia – The international volunteer programme of the Salesian Australia-Pacific  Province (AUL), called the Cagliero Project has organised the 2024 immersive programme in Cambodia for its students. From 4 to 14 July, the young participants, from different Salesian schools in Australia, together with the programme managers, were welcomed with pleasure at their first destination, the Don Bosco Salesian Technical School in Phnom Penh. They carried out animation and dance activities, support for the teaching of arts and crafts, sports, games, and English lessons with the aim of sharing special moments with young Cambodians. In addition, Australian students participated in the hands-on project, a key part of the immersive programmes, with which they supported the repair of the school's roofs. As an educational part of the programme, the participants were also able to carry out cultural activities. The Killing Fields and the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum were the two places that made students reflect on the impact that armed conflicts have on a nation. The programme continued in the border town of Poipet, with a short stop to visit the two Salesian schools in Battambang. In Poipet, activities similar to those in Phnom Penh were carried out and, in addition, the group had the opportunity to visit the mythical city of Siem Reap. At the end of the trip the participants shared their feelings and thoughts about the experience. Despite the short time spent in Cambodia and language difficulties, young Cambodian and Australian students have created a lasting friendship based on love.

Medellín, Colombia – July 2024 - Last Sunday, 28 July, Fr José Ariel Guerrero Castro assumed the position of Superior of the Salesian Province St Luis Bertrand of Medellín, Colombia (COM) for the 2024-2030 period. The installation marks the beginning of a new stage in the government of the Province, which carries out an excellent educational and evangelising work in the area of western Colombia. The ceremony was presided over by Fr Hugo Orozco Sánchez, Councillor for the Interamerica Region, at the El Sufragio Salesian work, in the presence of Fr Luis Fernando Valencia Mosquera, former Provincial, involving other Salesians from all over the country, as well as family members and parishioners. The ceremony also paid tribute to the historical journey of the COM Province and all its leaders, since its foundation in 1957; as well as the role of the  El Sufragio work, the first COM provincial house, where generations of Salesians were formed. Finally, the event reaffirmed and renewed the fundamental mission of the Salesians in the community: to be signs and bearers of God's love, placing themselves as the animating nucleus of the entire Educative and Pastoral Community (EPC).