Messina, Italy - June 2018 - On June 9th, six Salesians belonging to the community of Saint Thomas of Messina were ordained deacons: Fr Alberto Anzalone and Fr Dario Spinella from the Sicula, or Sicilian, Province, Fr Frantz-Kerly Jean Baptiste and Fr Robenson Saint-Ange of the Vice Province of Haiti, Fr Anton Reval and Fr Harsha Thennakoon of the Vice Province of Sri Lanka. The solemn concelebration, presided by Msgr. Paolo Urso, bishop emeritus of Ragusa, was held at the Salesian "San Matteo" of Messina-Giostra.
Sarandí del Yí, Uruguay - June 2018 - "If we meet we are happy" was the theme of the National Meeting of Adolescents of the Salesian Youth Movement (SYM) of Uruguay, which took place on 9 June at the Salesian house "Benigno Paiva Irisarri Institute". The work, better known as "El Paiva", celebrates its 50th anniversary this year and hosts about 60 poor adolescents from the rural areas of the country and offers them free food, accommodation, formation and transfers to the city's state schools. The event was attended by over 800 adolescents and animators of the SYM from the various Salesian centers in the country who played and shared games, music, entertainment, moments of prayer and a great treasure hunt through the streets of the city.
Sihanoukville, Cambodia - June 2018 - On June 14, Fr. Eugene Xalxo, SDB, Director of the "Don Bosco Sihanoukville" house, presided at the Eucharist which began the 7 days of mourning for the death of the teacher Sarath Seng, victim the explosion of an oxygen tank in a classroom in the Mechanical Department that took place on June 7th. Fr Son, parish priest of the church in Sihanoukville, several diocesan priests, teachers and students took part in the community prayer at the scene of the accident. The Salesian community of Sihanoukville thanks all the people who have expressed closeness, prayers and donations for the support of the wounded, the widow and the children of teacher Seng, and for the reconstruction of the site. The school will reopen next Monday and some psychological assistance activities are being planned for the students.
Rabaul, Papua New Guinea - June 2018 - 167 Catholic students from various schools in the eastern province of New Britain gathered from June 1 to 3 to attend the first edition of "Marian Camp 2018" on the theme "To Jesus through Mary". The event was led by Fr Charles Casper, SDB, Director and Rector of the "Vunabosco Technical Secondary School", and featured a number of talks by various Salesians who underlined the important role of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the faith of Christians.
Port-au-Prince, Haiti - June 2018 - On June 9, the Economers and the accounting staff of the Salesian Vice Province of Haiti met for a training session on the financial policies of the Vice Province. Fr Jacques Charles, Economer of the HAI Vice Province, led the meeting and reiterated his hopes and expectations for the prudent and transparent management of the resources of the Salesian Congregation.
Sevilla, Spain - June 2018 - On June 9th, at the Basilica of Mary Help of Christians, Mgr. Juan José Asenjo, archbishop of Sevilla, presided over the priestly ordinations of the Salesians José Carlos López Barba and Daniel Aitor Peña Trapero.