Brussels, Belgium - 31 May 2018 - The European External Action Service (EEAS) organized a high-level event on the Colombian Peace process which saw the participation of the President of Colombia, Juan Manuel Santos Calderón (Nobel Peace Prize) ), as part of his institutional visit to Brussels and Paris on matters of state. The event was chaired by Federica Mogherini, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission. Before many other prominent figures, he discussed the peace process and addressed future challenges. Ms. Mogherini, instead, recalled the visit of the two young men of the Salesian work program "Ciudad Don Bosco" of Medellín for the recovery of child soldiers and gave the floor to the representatives of "Don Bosco International", who presented the work carried out by the Salesians of the house and other centers located in the country for the reintegration of former child soldiers. President Santos thanked the Salesians for the educational work they carry out in Colombia.
Vatican City, Vatican - 31 May 2018 - The Rector Major, Fr Ángel Fernández Artime, visited the Salesian community of the Vatican, where he met several Salesian bishops and cardinals.
Fatumaca, East Timor - May 2018 - On May 24, in Fatumaca, the feast of Mary Help of Christians was celebrated with a procession and a Eucharistic celebration presided by Msgr. Virgílio do Carmo da Silva, SDB, bishops of Dili.
Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea - May 2018 - On 24 May, two novices from Papua New Guinea made their first professions in the shrine of Mary Help of Christians in Boroko East. The rite was presided by Fr Alfred Maravilla, Superior of the Papua New Guinea Vice Province and Solomon Islands.
Libreville, Gabon - May 2018 - The visitation feast of the Equatorial Tropical Africa Vice Province (ATE) took place on May 27 with the participation of the Salesian Family of Gabon. Fr Alphonse Owoudou, Superior of the ATE Vice Province, presided at the Eucharist, concelebrated by the members of his council and by other Salesians of Cameroon and Gabon. During the celebration, 2 candidates from the Association of Mary Help of Christians (ADMA) and 13 candidates from the Salesian Cooperators made their promises.
Buenos Aires, Argentina - May 2018 - From 23 to 25 May, there was a meeting of Salesian Publishers of America presided by Fr Filiberto González, General Councilor for Social Communication. The meeting was attended by the representatives of the publishers of Mexico, Peru, Chile, Bolivia, Paraguay and Argentina, who shared and analyzed the realities of their respective firms. To rethink editorial practices, the Salesian brother Ariel Fresia presented a reflection on reading, writing and publication, from a socio-cultural perspective. Professor. Darío Stukalsky gave an account of the changes that have occurred in Latin American publishing in recent years starting from his own experience as a publisher. Finally, three working agreements were established until the next meeting, which aim to promote cooperation and common formation.