Schio, Italy - April 2018 - On April 25, at the Salesian oratory in Schio, the traditional Feast of the Province of North-Eastern Italy (INE) took place. This year the central theme was the Dreams of Don Bosco, together with Fr Andrea Bozzolo, professor of the Turin-Crocetta Theological Studentate, editor of the book "Dreams of Don Bosco. Spiritual experience and educational wisdom." The meeting place gave all the confreres and guests the chance to visit the newly built and recently inaugurated building for the young people of the vocational training center. The Province celebrated the Salesians who commemorated a meaningful anniversary of their religious profession or of priestly ordination.

Kigali, Rwanda - May 2018 - On May 6, at the Youth Center of Gatenga, on the occasion of the feast of Saint Dominic Savio, the young members of the Movement of Friends of Dominic Savio (ADS) of Rwanda celebrated the 35th anniversary of the movement in the country. During the Eucharist, presided by Fr Camiel Swertvagher, Provincial of the African Great Lakes Vice Province (AGL), 21 young people made their promises as ADS members.

Montevideo, Uruguay - May 2018 - On 9 May, Fr Ángel Fernández Artime, Rector Major, received the bishops of the dioceses of the country from the provincial house of Uruguay (URU): the bishop of Florida, Msgr. Martín Pérez Scremini, with bishop emeritus, mgr. Raúl Scarrone Carrero; the bishop of Canelones, mgr. Alberto Sanguinetti Montero; the bishop of Mercedes and President of the Episcopal Conference of Uruguay, mgr. Carlos Collazzi, SDB; the bishop of Melo, mgr. Heriberto Bodeant; and archbishop emeritus of Montevideo, mgr. Nicolas Cotugno, SDB.

Mirandela, Portugal - May 2018 - From April 27 to May 1, the Salesians of Mirandela hosted the XXV edition of the Salesian National Games with 1650 athletes from the various Salesian centers of the Province of Portugal, the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians and sports associations linked to Salesian houses. The athletes competed in seven sports disciplines, and throughout were accompanied by circa a thousand family members and friends, and assisted by over 300 volunteers, who all together made it the edition with the most participants ever.

Montevideo, Uruguay - May 2018 - On 9 May the Rector Major of the Salesians, Fr Ángel Fernández Artime, was received by the President of the Republic of Uruguay, Dr Tabaré Vázquez, in the presidential residence of Suárez y Reyes. The X Successor of Don Bosco was accompanied by the Provincial of Uruguay, Fr Alfonso Bauer, and Fr Marcelo Fontona. During the meeting, President Vázquez and the Rector Major discussed current affairs, underlining the impact of several figures, such as Pope Francis, on world affairs. President Vázquez and Fr Á.F. Artime also spoke about the collaboration and support of the Salesians in the process of educating Uruguayan youth and about the first education-work agreements with the "Tacurú Movement", for which the Rector Major thanked the President for his collaboration in favor of young people. The President, underlining his socialist status, highlighted the challenge in exercising government to articulate equality and freedom and he shared several anecdotes with Fr Artime concerning his own youth experience in the Salesian Oratory of La Teja, saying he was an heir of the values of the Salesian oratory.

Rome, Italy - May 2018 - The coordinators (Small Team) of the Salesian Youth Movement in Europe met at the Generalate of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians from 4 to 6 May. Anne-Florence Perras (France-South Belgium), Blazka Merkac (Slovenia) and Carina Baumgartner (Austria) represent young people from the Southern, Central and Northern regions wherein SYM is organized in Europe. Accompanied by the SDB Dicastery and the FMA Youth Ministry, including the Councilor and General Councilor, Fr Fabio Attard, SDB and Sr. Runita Borja, FMA, with the participation of Mother Yvonne Reungoat, FMA Superior General, the Small Team reviewed and evaluated the work of recent months, including the SYM Europe meeting of August 2017 and the General Assembly of November 2017. The theme of the next Synod of Bishops was also examined and the next General Assembly of the SYM Europe was prepared, an event to be held in Brussels from 23 to 25 November 2018, during which a new Small Team will be elected for the three-year 2018-2021 term.