Tokyo, Japan - March 2017 - Two young Salesian novices of the Province of Japan (GIA) made their First Profession on 25 March. Maximilian Iguchi and Luke Tsubaki are the youngest of the 95 Salesians of the Japanese Province.

Puebla, Mexico - March 2017 - On 19 and 20 March there was a meeting of the Salesian Brothers of the Province of Mexico City (MEM), on the theme " Some characteristics of the Spiritual Life of the Salesian Brother". The participants reflected on the figure of the Salesian Brother and shared their experiences of apostolic and community life, with moments of prayer and the final Mass, celebrated by Fr Gabino Hernández Paleta, Provincial MEM.

Ypacaraí, Paraguay - March 2017 - On 25 and 26 March Youth Mission Day was celebrated in Don Bosco College, Ypacaraí on the theme "I chose you to go and bear fruit", It was organized by the Salesian Youth Movement. The meeting was attended by about 300 young people and led by Fr Fabio Attard, Councillor General for Youth Ministry, and Fr Guillermo Basañes, Councillor General for the Missions. The Rector Major, Fr Ángel Fernández Artime, sent a video message to the participants.

Rome, Italy - March 2017 - The International Festival of Creativity in Pastoral Management took place from 23 to 25 March at the Lateran Pontifical University.  The theme was: "What Church in twenty years’ time?" "I dream of a Church that knows how to grasp fully the mercy of God" said the Rector of the University, Bishop Enrico dal Covolo, SDB, in his official greetings to the participants and guests of the Festival. The Rector then explained the meaning of the word "creativity" with several references to the biblical message and the words of Pope Francis. He also mentioned the concept of non-passive obedience of Fr Lorenzo Milani.

#festivalpastoralecreativa

Kerema, Papua New Guinea - March 2017 - The ordination of Pedro Baquero Jr, SDB, as bishop of the diocese of Kerema took place on 25 March at the Cathedral of the Holy Spirit Kerema. The ordination was presided over by Cardinal John Ribat MSC, Archbishop of Port Moresby, and concelebrated by Archbishop Kurian Mathew Vayalunkal, Nunzio Apostolico to Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands, and by Archbishop Francesco Panfilo, SDB, of Rabaul, along with 15 other bishops and over 40 priests.

Sherbrooke, Canada - March 2017 - The group of "young Salesian Missionaries" has planned two weeks’ activity as missionary volunteers in a Salesian orphanage in Mexico City. In the photo, the volunteers after the commissioning Mass.