São Marcos, Brazil - May 2017 - In Mato Grosso, the Salesians take care of about 280 villages and 20,000 Xavantes through the three missions of San Marcos, Nova Xavantina and Sangradouro. The village of Our Lady of Fatima is one of the main villages of the San Marcos mission. Two young Salesian priests, Fr Silvio da Silva and Fr José Marcos de Oliveira, who lead the mission, celebrated the centenary of the Marian apparitions of Fatima on May 13 with a solemn Eucharist. There was a large participation of the people, and a procession rich in faith, Marian devotion and expressions of Xavante culture. The Mato Grosso mission to the Bororos (at Meruri and Rondonópolis) and the Xavantes continues to be a priority for the Campo Grande Province.

Nairobi, Kenya - May 2017 - A two-week formation course for Directors of Pre-Novitiate of the Region of Africa and Madagascar is taking place from 7 to 21 May at DBYES in Nairobi. It is an initiative proposed by the Novice Masters who participated in the two courses for their formation (Italian and English), which took place at the Generalate in 2016. This is a response to the first goal of the Department of Formation in the six-year programme of the Rector Major and his Council: "To promote in the Congregation a better understanding of the Salesian consecrated vocation in its two forms" (AGC 419).  Fr Ivo Coelho, Councillor General for Formation, opened proceedings and shared the first three days with the participants. In addition to the important contributions offered in the areas relating to the pre-novitiate which isthe first stage of initial training, much importance was given to the sharing of experiences and attention was paid especially to the person of the formator. The first gift to be offered to those who want to embrace the Salesian vocation in this region, which is the fastest growing in the Congregation, is the testimony of a genuine and joyous Salesian life, and not only by the Director of the Pre-novitiate but of all confreres in every Province.

Seville, Spain - May 2017 - From 10 to 15 May the 28th International Salesian Youth Games took place in Seville. The games were organized and coordinated by the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians in the Province of Seville. Over 1,400 young people from the Salesian works of 12 European countries, plus a delegation from Lebanon, took part in competitions in basketball, five-a-side football, tennis and volleyball.
Photo Albums: https://www.flickr.com/photos/149227505@N05/albums/with/72157680409113313

Fatima, Portugal - May 2017 - On 12 and 13 May, Pope Francis visited the Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima to celebrate the centenary of the Marian apparitions and to canonize the two shepherds Francesco and Jacinta Marto who had been beatified by John Paul II in 2000.

Cebu, Philippines - May 2017 - On 6 May, the Feast of St Dominic Savio, 11 new Salesians - 9 candidates for priesthood and 2 brothers – made their first profession.  They are from the provinces of Southern Philippines (FIS), the Northern Philippines (FIN) and Thailand (THA).

Copacabana, Colombia - May 2017 - At the 4th Continental Meeting of the Salesian School in America (ESA IV), 9-12 May, the more than 350 participants continue their work with reports and interventions by experts, workshops and sharing of good practices. Among the contributors are Fr Fabio Attard, Councillor General for Youth Ministry, Fr Miguel Ángel García, World Delegate for Schools and Professional Training Centres from the same Youth Ministry Department, and Fr Natale Vitali, Councillor for the American Southern Cone Region.