Sarria, Venezuela - March 2018 - The group of the Association of Mary Help of Christians (ADMA) of Sarria celebrated a Lenten retreat on the theme of the Rector Major's Strenna 2018. The retreat was led by the Salesians Fr Carlos Da Franca and Fr Orlando Gramcko, who spoke of the importance of faith in Christ, of hope, and of forgiveness and mercy at this difficult time for Venezuela.
Krakow, Poland - February 2017 - On February 26 and 27 a meeting was held in Krakow for those responsible for Youth Ministry and Vocation Ministry of the four Provinces of the Salesians and for the two Provinces of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians in Poland. In addition to reflecting on the form of youth ministry in Poland, the meeting was also an opportunity for reflection on the last European meeting in Barcelona. The participants in the meeting in Spain spoke about the main initiatives undertaken by the Salesian Congregation in Europe and in the Salesian world. During the meeting there were discussions regarding the Youth Synod, the Youth Ministry manual, the WYD in Panama, the missionary voluntary service and the Animators Forum, which will take place in September.
Lima, Peru - February 2018 - On February 17 at the Youth Center of the Basilica of Mary Help of Christians in Lima, a hundred members of the Salesian Family took part in the presentation of the Strenna 2018 of the Rector Major, Fr Ángel Fernández Artime, "Lord, give me this water. We cultivate the art of listening and accompanying." The event, organized by Fr Raúl Acuña, Delegate for the Salesian Family, began with the greetings of Fr Manuel Cayo, Provincial of Peru, and continued with the screening of the video of the Strenna, group work for reflection and sharing and the intervention of Fr Ricardo Gonzales, who offered suggestions and spoke of challenges.
Tiruchy, India - 22 February 2018 - The inauguration of a Center for the Emancipation of Women was celebrated on International Women's Day at the "Don Bosco Keela Eral" center of the Tiruchy Province (INT). 1,200 women from 60 villages participated in what was a day of interaction, discussion and sharing of experiences with experts and social activists. Also present: Fr Antony Joseph, INT Provincial.
Dili, East Timor - February 2018 - On 24 February, the missionary group of the post-novitiate of Comoro organized a seminar on Saint Francis Xavier and the venerable Fr Vincenzo Cimatti. Attended by about a hundred people among formators, post-novices, aspirants, FMA and young animators, also present wwas Fr Apolinario Neto, Provincial of the Salesian Province of Indonesia-East Timor (ITM).
South Korea - February 2018 - During January and February, four sessions of Spiritual Exercises were held in Taean for the Salesians of the KOR Province on the theme of "Cultivating the art of listening and accompanying people following the footsteps of Jesus." On 25 February in Seoul about 170 members of the Salesian Cooperators Association participated in the retreat on the theme, "Lord, give me this Water."