Rome, Italy - January 2018 - Don Bosco International's Group of Experts on Poverty and Migration met at the Salesian General Headquarters from 22 to 24 January. Chaired by Angel Gudiña, DBI Secretary, and Daniel García, Salesian Social Work Coordinator and member of the Youth Ministry Department, other participants included: Fr Antoine Farrugia (Malta), Fr Giovanni d'Andrea (Italy), Achim Jägers (Germany), Pierre-Jean Allard (France), Paco Estellés and José Miguel Bautista (Spain). The meeting's aim: to reflect on and discuss, with a Salesian perspective, the phenomena of poverty and migration on the European continent; the Salesian response and the proposition of political documents that allow an updated position, and the quality of the DBI in the various forums in which it participates. Among the topics dealt with: Holy See's paper on Migration and Refugees, the application to the social sphere of Strenna 2017, and the figure of the "voluntary tutor" based on the Zampa law, approved in Italy in 2017.
Cuenca, Ecuador - January 2018 – Taking place on January 20, in the Shrine of Mary Help of Christians, were the priestly ordination of Darío Ortiz and the diaconal ordination of José Campoverde, both Salesians, with the laying on of hands and the consecratory prayer of Msgr. Alfredo Espinoza Mateus, SDB, bishop of the diocese of Loja.
Phnom Penh, Cambodia - January 2018 - On 20 January, 62 members of the Salesian Family gathered for the presentation of the Rector Major's Strenna 2018: "Lord, give me this water. We cultivate the art of listening and accompanying". The presentation was chaired by Fr Gerardo Ravasco, SDB, Director of the "Don Bosco" school in Battambang.
Dublin, Ireland - January 2018 - In relation to the Rector Major's Strenna 2018, on 20 January, Salesians, members of the Salesian Family, professors, university students, volunteers and collaborators participated in the seminar entitled: "The spiritual accompaniment of young people inspired to the thought and practice of Don Bosco." The meeting was chaired by Fr Louis Grech, SDB, an expert on the subject; his doctorate was on the accompaniment of young people and his work with young people in Malta, where he is currently Director of Vocational Ministry.
Montevideo, Uruguay - January 2018 - On 23 January, the inauguration ceremony of the new Provincial's taking office at the Salesian "Saint Joseph" Province of Uruguay took place; his name: Fr Alfonso Bauer. At the beginning of the Eucharist, Rector Major Fr Ángel Fernández Artime's letter was read, a letter wherein he expressed his desire to accompany the new Provincial with affection, closeness and prayer. He also expressed sincere gratitude to Fr Néstor Castell, the outgoing Provincial, for his generous service during these past 6 years of service.
Pará, Brazil - January 2018 - On 21 January, Salesian Ivan Artur Faria de Lima was ordained priest. The celebration was presided over by Msgr. José Carlos de Souza Campos, bishop of the diocese of Divinópolis.