Rome, Italy - May 2016 - On 19 May, at the headquarters of the Salesian Historical Institute at the Generalate in Rome, a meeting took place of the new Presidency of ACSSA which was elected during the Sixth Salesian History Conference held in Turin at the end October 2015. Among those present were the President, Fr Francesco Motto, the secretary-treasurer Fr Stanislaw Zimniak and members Fr Thomas Anchukandam (Director ISS) and Sr Grazia Loparco (Rome), Fr Joaquín Torres (Spain), Sr Maria Rohrer (Tunisia) and Ariel Fresia (Argentina). Fr Albert Kitungwa (Rep. of Congo) attended part of the meeting. Among the many items on the agenda were the publiction of the Acts of the aforementioned Convention, the revision of the Statutes of ACSSA, review and approval of some local ACSSA Statutes (Argentina and Brazil), other reports from local ACSSA groups (Italy, Spain, Poland), the admission of new members and the new site. The work focused on the choice of the subject of study for the next international conference, scheduled for October 2021, to be preceded by five continental seminars in the two-year period 2018-2019. After extensive debate the theme was chosen: "Significant Salesian figures in different countries during the twentieth century". For the preparatory seminars in different geographical areas they suggested the same theme, but with the subtitle "Questions of method and sources". The work ended with the fixing of the date of the next meeting for 6 May 2017.
Lubumbashi, D.R. Congo - May 2016 - On May 22, the Province of Central Africa (AFC) held the procession of Mary Help of Christians led by Fr Jean Claude Ngoy, Provincial of AFC. It was attended by a large number of members of the Salesian Family and the general faithful.
Vynnyky, Ukraine – 23 May 2016 - About a week ago work started on the installation of Casa Don Bosco in the city of Vynnyky, in Ukraine. This was the pavilion of the Salesian Family which for six months welcomed visitors to Expo Milano 2015. The structure will become a youth centre.
Santa Cruz, Bolivia - May 2016 - The priestly ordination of Dámaso Nina Cabañero, SDB, took place on 21 May in the parish of “San Lorenzo Mártir”. Arcchbishop Tito Solari, SDB, Archbishop Emeritus of Cochabamba, presided in the presence of Fr Javier Ortíz, Provincial of the Salesians of Bolivia.
Aleppo, Syria - May 2016 - The catechetical year for the young people of the Salesian Oratory in Aleppo ended on 22 May. This was the first time that the young people had come together since they had to close about three weeks ago, because of the conflict. Fr Pier Jabloyan says: "Here Don Bosco is still alive and working with and for young people. We try to convey to these children the spirit of Don Bosco, the family spirit. This is what we try to do in these times of war."
Dankotuwa, Sri Lanka - May 2016 - On 15 May there was a gathering of 51 former Salesian seminarians and past pupils of Don Bosco Dankotuwa, chaired by Fr Joseph Almeida, Superior of Sri Lanka, and Fr Felix Mellawarachchy, Economer of the Vice-Province and Provincial Delegate for the Past Pupils.