Campo Grande, Brazil – July 2024 - On 15 July, the Salesian Province of Brasil-Campo Grande (BCG) commemorated the 48th anniversary of the death of Fr Rodolfo Lunkenbein and Simão Bororo, who gave their lives in sacrifice for the Boe-Bororo people. For the occasion, a documentary was launched that explores the history and legacy of these two martyrs, exploring the impact of their death on the community that is still very much felt today. Through interviews, archive images and moving narratives, we will relive the events, dedication and sacrifice of Fr Lunkenbein and Simão Bororo who continue to inspire and challenge the Church to live the Gospel with authenticity and missionary ardour. In Meruri he gave his life for the original people of the Boe-Bororo, following his priestly motto "I came to serve and give my life".
Ennerdale, South Africa – July 2024 - Last Thursday, 11 July, students from the Don Bosco Educational Projects in Ennerdale graduated after intensive courses in the Electricity, Construction and Merchandising sectors. In his address the principal, Mr Napier, urged the students to help build their communities with the newly acquired skills. He also added that it was a real joy to form young people in the area and told them to be grateful to their parents for the sacrifices they made to support them and help them achieve their dreams.
Lawaan, Philippines – July 2024 – On 13 July, at the Don Bosco Retreat House in Lawaan, the Salesians of the Province of the Southern Philippines (FIS) concluded their annual spiritual retreat. In the last two weeks the Salesians, divided into two groups, have been in silence and prayer using the method of the Ignatian Exercises facilitated by Father Silvino L. Borres, Jr., SJ. The Provincial of the Salesians of the Southern Philippines, Fr Fidel Ma Orendain, SDB, was present throughout the retreat, and presided at the final mass, with the renewal of the vows of the Salesians and the installation of the new Rectors of the communities.
Lubumbashi, DR Congo – July 2024 – On 13 July in the courtyard of the Salama Technical Institute, Fr Pascual Chávez Villanueva, Rector Major Emeritus, presided over the Eucharist during which nine young Salesians made their perpetual religious profession before Fr Guillermo Basañes, Superior of the Province of Central Africa (AFC). Of these 9 young Salesians, 8 are of Congolese nationality and one original from Guatemala, a missionary ad gentes.
Venezuela – July 2024 - More than a thousand Salesian leaders, lay people and members of the Salesian Family have prepared and are carrying out the 2024 Holiday Oratories in the Salesian St Luke Province of Venezuela (VEN). With the motto "Dream with joy, build eternity", the objective of these oratories is to offer the most vulnerable children, adolescents and young adults a space for meeting,formation and integral development, where they can carry out recreational, sporting, spiritual and cultural activities. The leaders were trained in various areas in order to provide an enriching experience for participants. The witness of leaders and the involvement of the educative and pastoral communities are a sign of communion and synodality in these new times of the Church. Festive Oratories are an opportunity for children, teenagers and young adults to experience the joy of the Gospel and to grow in faith.
Yakutsk, Republic of Sakha-Yakutia - July 2024 - The 26th Far Eastern Youth Conference will take place in Yakutia from 7 to 14 July. This is a meeting of the eastern part of the diocese of St Joseph based in Irkutsk. This diocese is the largest Catholic diocese in the world in terms of area. More than thirty participants from different parishes, thousands of kilometres apart, met in the Salesian house in Yakutsk. The theme of the meeting was the search for the vocation and dream of God for each person, in connection with the strenna 2024 of the Rector Major. In speeches and informal moments testimonies were heard about the vocation of priests, religious, Salesian Cooperators, active lay people, and also the testimony of a missionary volunteer. Invited guest Oleg Voskresensky enriched the programme with a series of talks on the historical-scientific foundations of the Christian faith. Conference participants learned the history of the city of Yakutsk, the largest city in the world built on perennially frozen ground. They visited The Kingdom of Eternal Ice and The Mammoth Museum. The event took place in Yakutsk as part of the double jubilee, as this year as the city marks 30 years since the arrival of the Salesians and the establishment of the parish, and also 15 years since the consecration of the only Catholic church in the Yakutia territory.
(Ján Krupa SDB)