Genzano, Italy - December 2016 - On 21 December, the Novitiate in Genzano hosted the Salesian communities in Rome that depend directly on the Rector Major: the Generalate, the community of St Callistus and the Novices. During the meeting, the Rector Major, Fr Ángel Fernández Artime, in the presence of the General Council, presented the Strenna for 2017. The meeting was a time of sharing, fraternity and meditation. Fr Leonardo Mancini, Superior of the District of Central Italy, thanked the Salesians of the Generalate for the service they perform.

Akure, Nigeria - December 2016 - The Congress of the Salesian Youth Movement (SYM) of Nigeria was held in Akure from 15 to 18 December on the theme "With Jesus, we journey together in an adventure of the Spirit".  There were hundreds of participants from various Salesian Houses in the country.

Sherbrooke, Canada - December 2016 - The Salesians in Sherbrooke have begun to collaborate with the Protestant volunteers of the Salvation Army, on behalf of the poor, drug addicts, the mentally ill, the homeless and victims of violence. Every week 4 students of the Salesian school take part in “dinners for the poor” which brings food to the needy. By now 45 Salesian students have participated and after Christmas other older students will also be involved.

Lima, Peru - December 2016 - The Salesian Congregation on the occasion of the 125th anniversary of its arrival in Peru, and thanks to the support of the Institute of Italian Culture, inaugurated the restored Tamburini organ in the Basilica of Mary Help of Lima with a gala concert performed by the Italian musician and composer Alberto Pavoni. The organ was built in 1933 by the Pontificia Fabbrica d'Organi of John Tamburini and was restored in the past five years. It is the largest in Peru, with 34 registers and 2651 pipes. It is a pioneer instrument. In 1934 it was the first in the country with electric operation and also, since 1997, the first in Latin America controlled by a computerized system.

Recife, Brazil - December 2016 - On 17 December in the Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, the Salesian Herison Leandro da Silva Cavalcanti was ordained by the laying on of hands of Bishop Hilário Moser, SDB, Bishop Emeritus of Tubarão.

Santa Clara, Cuba – December 11th, 2016 – The Salesian Family of Santa Clara gathered to celebrate the presence of the Salesians in Cuba with the “Festival del Juguete”. Children, adolescents and young people, together with their animators and catechists and other members of the parish, lived an evening of games, songs, choreographies, to commemorate the encounter of Don Bosco with Bartolomeo Garelli and to thank God for the arrival, 62 years ago, of the first Salesian in the city: the Servant of God Fr. José Vandor.