São Paulo, Brazil - July 2018 - In the Salesian Province of Brazil-São Paulo (BSP) the month of July is characterized by the experience of the Salesian Youth Mission Week. This year around 1050 young people are serving in 26 communities of the country's various cities, accompanied by their parents, 18 Salesians, 50 Salesians in formation and representatives in charge of Youth Ministry. This project gives young people the opportunity to experience God among the people, through relationships of charity, spirituality and fraternity.
Vatican City, Vatican - 6 July 2018 - On 6 July Pope Francis presided at Mass for migrants at the altar of the Cattedra in the Vatican Basilica, on the fifth anniversary of his visit to Lampedusa. During the homily the Pope emphasized that in the face of today's migratory challenges the only sensible answer is solidarity and mercy.
Comayagüela, Honduras - July 2018 - Young people belonging to the youth group "VIVE 180", as part of the Youth Ministry proposal of the parish "Mary Help of Christians", "climbed the mountain" to receive the Kerigma. 42 young people, accompanied by their coordinators and catechists, gathered during the weekend of June 30-July 1, in the youth center "San Vicente de Paúl" to experience the "kerygmatic retreat". The experience of this retreat marks the starting point of the process of evangelization and has, as its culmination, active membership within the community; thus does the whole formative process of Youth Ministry assume its profound meaning.
Caen, France - June 2018 - In June, at the "Lemonnier" Salesian Institute, the "Festifoot 2018" football tournament took place. Participating were 8 high school teams from all over France, for a total of 60 young people. In addition to football matches, the teams also competed in table football, relay races, football-culture quizzes and other skill competitions. Besides awarding Argenteuil as winner of the tournament, organizers also awarded Lille for having distinguished itself in their fair-play.
Lapa, Brazil - 28 June 2018 – Taking place “alongside” the Football World Cup, was the celebration of the anniversary of the Salesian project "Vem-Crê-Ser / CCA Dom Bosco", of the Salesian Youth Center "Dom Bosco" of Alto de Lapa. It featured a display of green-gold flags, street food, typical games and bingo. The many children and young people put on a full display of their joy in being together.
Salerno, Italy - July 2018 - On July 5, the Salesian oratories of the Campania and Basilicata regions took place with Salerno, which hosted the day, Naples Don Bosco, Naples Rione Amicizia, Naples Vomero, Caserta, Torre Annunziata and Potenza. The biblical reference to Ephesians 6:11 - "Put on the full armor of God" - animated the approximately 1200 young participants. They built an armor with which to dress a child, and played games involving the conquest of gold nuggets for the purchase of building materials. Another Salesian reference was "make of me a beautiful dress", a request that Dominic Savio made to Don Bosco. This was also the message addressed to young people at the end of the day. The final prize of the "Summer Cup" was assigned to the Torre Annunziata Oratory.