Rímac, Peru – January 2017 – Children and youth of the Salesian Oratory of Rímac, accompanied by their animators and parents, marched along the streets of the district to animate the people to take part in the novena that is being celebrated from January 22nd to 30th at the temple of the Oratory. In this way hundreds of people can participate in the novena with hymns and prayers in honour of the “Saint of the Youth".
Lubumbashi, D.R. Congo – January 24th, 2017 – On January 24th in Lubumbashi the members of the Association of Mary Help of Christians (ADMA) celebrated Mass on the day of Mary Help of Christians and St. Francis de Sales, in the course of which they prayed for the release of Fr. Tom Uzhunnalil and for his health. The members of ADMA have decided to continue to pray for Fr. Tom in their respective families and communities.
Parañaque City, Philippines – January 2017 – On January 21st, over 100 members of the “Friends of Laura Vicuña” gathered to celebrate their second provincial encounter on the theme “Stronger together #RelationshipGoals”. On the following day, with various activities they celebrated the feast of Blessed Laura Vicuña, whose figure they promote as a model for the youth of today.
Naples, Italy – January 23rd, 2017 – On January 23rd, at the Salesian House of Doganella a Community of Reception was inaugurated for Foreign Unaccompanied Minors, called “The Bridge Reception Community”. The structure hosts 16 foreign minors, who arrived in Italy on their own in emergency conditions, and offers them immediate hospitality and care, with qualified socio-educative interventions, personalised in a serene and familiar environment.
Calcutta, India – January 2017 – From January 20th to 23rd, over 500 youth coming from 30 Salesian Institutes of India and Nepal gathered to celebrate the values of the family, promote social harmony and pray for peace. Representatives of the groups of the Salesian Family organised the various events of “Youth Fest 2017”, inspired to the theme of the Strenna 2017 of the Rector Major “We are Family! Every home a school of Life and Love”. One of the most significant moments of the feast was the manifestation for peace along the streets of Calcutta.
Rome, Italy – January 23rd, 2017 – At the General House there has been the General Assembly of Don Bosco International (DBI), a Bureau of Representation of the Congregation with the European Institutions in Brussels. Besides Fr. Fabio Attard, Councillor for Youth Ministry and President of DBI, three other General Councillors were also present, also members of the Board of Directors of DBI – the General Economer, Mr Jean Paul Muller; Fr. Stefano Martoglio and Fr. Tadeusz Rozmus, respectively Councillors for the Mediterranean Region and for Centre and North Europe Region – the various members of DBI and the collaborators of the Dicastery for Youth Ministry. The annual appointment, coordinated by the Executive Secretary, Ángel Gudiña, allowed to assess the development of the Strategic Plan of DBI and to approve the Annual Plan for 2017. Besides the increase of the activities of the Bureau of Representation in Brussels, the Assembly also noted the growing involvement of the European Provinces in the coordination of the work.