Boroko, Papua New Guinea – May 24th, 2016 – 32 students of Don Bosco Technical School, Gabutu, received the Sacraments of Christian Initiation on the occasion of the Feast of Mary Help of Christians in the Sanctuary dedicated to Her in Boroko. The ceremony was presided over by Msgr. Rochus Joseph Tatamai, MSC, Bishop of Berina, and was concelebrated by the Salesian confrères Fr. Sonny Fagardo, Fr. Angel Sánchez and Fr. Ambrose Pereira. Over 1100 persons, comprising students, staff, parents and friends, participated in the ceremony. In the afternoon another Eucharistic celebration was presided over by Msgr. John Ribat, Archbishop of Port Moresby.
Rome, Italy – May 24th, 2016 – On May 24th Msgr. Calogero La Piana, SDB, Archbishop emeritus of Messina, presided over the feast of Mary Help of Christians in the Minor Basilica of Mary Help of Christians. Fr. Claudio Tuverio, the parish priest, and Fr. Gino Berto, rector of the Pius XI Salesian house, concelebrated. Thousands of faithful participated in the Eucharistic celebration and the traditional procession, thus witnessing to the growing Marian devotion.
(ANS – Turin) – “Great respect and prayer… and a great faith, much simple faith in all of us. Certainly Don Bosco was present with his spirit … and the MOTHER interceded for ALL before the Lord”. This is the impression remaining in the eyes and heart of the Rector Major, Fr. Ángel Fernández Artime, at the end of the traditional procession of the statue of Mary Help of Christians in the streets of Turin.
Campo Grande, Brazil - May 2016 –Following a meeting on 28 April with Fr Pierluigi Cameroni, World Spiritual Animator of ADMA (the Association of Mary Help of Christians), 28 young people officially promised on Sunday 22 May to form the first group of ADMA Youth of Brazil.
Bari, Italy - May 2016 - From 13 to 16 May the Salesian House at Redentore hosted the “Quarto Savona Quindici” the car that led the escort of Judge Giovanni Falcone, killed by the mafia with his wife and members of the escort in Capaci, 23 May 1992. This was an unusual week end for the young people and families of Libertà district of Bari. On the evening of Friday13 May the container came with the remains of the car: "No to the Mafia, Yes to life!" was the chorus with which the young of Redentore of Bari and the families of the Libertà district welcomed it. Over two days there were various events including a meeting of the schools of the city of Bari. On this occasion the Rector of the Salesian House, Fr Francesco Preite, quoted a phrase engraved on the container. "Seeing the destructive force of evil we must move to counter incidents of abuse and violence with more courage and tenacity."
Guwahati, India - May 2016 - On 22 May Fr Guillermo Basañes, Councillor General for the Missions, presided at Mass for the Perpetual Profession of six Salesians. The Provincial, Fr Thomas Vattathara, concelebrated.