Lubumbashi, DR Congo - May 2016 - On 21 May the Faculty of Arts of the University of Lubumbashi awarded a Doctorate Honoris Causa in Historical Sciences to the Salesian Fr Leon Verbeek. The award was given for the many publications produced by the Salesian in over 40 years of research on the culture of the Southeast region of Katanga, in collaboration with hundreds of employees and thousands of people who have shared their knowledge on the culture, history, anthropology, religion and oral literature. Fr Verbeek, now 83 years old, is currently working to create a digital photo archive on the works and the personnel of the Central African Province.
Parañaque, Philippines – 31 May 2016 - On the feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, nine Salesians made their Perpetual Profession: Keith J. Amodia (FIS), Ryan Oliver D. Bautista (FIN), Victor M. Da Cunha (ITM), Marselinus T. Daga (ITM), Ignasius Harianto (ITM), F. Xavier Inseok Kang (KOR), Lee Hyunjin Paul (KOR), Marizoni Noronha (ITM) and Vince Michael K. Sabal (FIS).
Rome, Italy - May 2016 - The 31st Course for Formators organized by the Salesian Pontifical University (UPS) ended on 30 May. Bishop Enrico dal Covolo, Rector of the Lateran Pontifical University (pictured with Fr Giuseppe Roggia and Fr Vittorio Gambino), dealt with the theme of Consecrated Life in this, the year after the year dedicated to the topic. The course had 45 participants, coming from different countries, dioceses and religious congregations.
Stony Point, United States - May 2016 - For the Jubilee of Mercy the school community of Don Bosco Prep High School in Ramsey held a pilgrimage to the Marian Shrine at Stony Point, New York on 27 May. Students and teachers prayed and passed through the Holy Door and participated in the celebration of the Eucharist at the altar of Mary Help of Christians, presided over by Bishop Peter Byrne, auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of New York. The students, divided into two groups, took part in various activities: sports, games, and talks on Mercy with speakers of various religious faiths. They also prepared 700 meals for the homeless, thanks to food collected from students, families and school staff Ramsey.
Tlazala, Mexico - May 2016 - From 5 to 7 May, altar servers and young people between 7 and 14 years of age, from the various Salesian houses in the Province of Mexico City (MEM), participated in the Altar Servers’ Camp 2016, on the theme "Salesian altar servers experience and express the mercy of Jesus."
Kwangju, South Korea - May 2016 - The Salesian School in Kwangju in the Province of South Korea (KOR) celebrated its 60th anniversary on 24 May. The ceremony was presided over by Bishop Simon Ok Hyun-JJN, auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Kwangju, and was attended by about 1,400 pupils, teachers and members of the Salesian Family. Among those who spoke were Fr Michael Chang, Dean of the Institute, Fr Stephen Yang, Provincial, and with a video message, Changjyun Yoon, the Mayor of Kwangju, a past pupil of the school. There have been more than 37,000 graduates in 60 years.