Curitiba, Brazil - April 2017 – The 2017 novices of the Salesian Provinces of São Paulo, Porto Alegre and Recife received the Salesian Constitutions on 3 April. Fr Cássio Rodrigo de Oliveira, Master of Novices, presided.

Rome, Italy - April 2017 - On 8 April, in the Basilica of St Mary Major, Pope Francis presided at the Prayer Vigil in preparation for World Youth Day which this year was celebrated at diocesan level on Palm Sunday. Pope Francis reminded young people that the world needs "to move quickly. Never get tired of hearing that life offers you a mission ... The world can be changed only if young people are on the move! "

Krakow, Poland - April 2017 - The Salesian Missionary Volunteer Movement "Młodzi Światu Krakow" has brought out a disc called "Nieśmiertelni" (Immortals), dedicated to persecuted Christians.  It contains different songs performed by renowned Polish singers. Proceeds from the sales will be donated to support children and young people from Aleppo, Syria. The songs can be heard on Easter Sunday, 16 April, during the concert which will be broadcast by the Polish public television TVP1 at 17:30 (local time).

For more information: www.niesmiertelni.swm.pl

Belgrade, Serbia – 6 March 2017 - Ján Volko (centre of photo),  past pupil and current leader at the Salesian Centre at Trnávka in Bratislava, in the Province of Slovakia (SLK), won the silver medal in the 60 meters race at the European Indoor Athletics Championships, held in Belgrade. His time of 6.58 set a new record for his country.  Afterwards he said: "I set myself the goal that my athletics would be for the glory of God." 

Johannesburg, South Africa - April 2017 – On 1 April, the Mary Help of Christians school of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians in Booysens, Johannesburg, celebrated the 50th anniversary of its foundation. The students put on a show with dances, poems, songs and music, written by Sister Therese Pietersen, FMA, inspired by the beginning of the FMA, and by Maria Mazzarello and Don Bosco.

Mar del Plata, Argentina - April 2017 - On 1 April, in the parish of San Pablo, Bishop Antonio Marino of Mar del Plata, presided at the ordination of the Salesian Matías Amed, in the presence of Fr Honorio Caucamán, Provincial of Southern Argentina.