Xuan Hiep, Vietnam - May 2016 - The academic year 2015-2016 of the Blessed Philip Rinaldi Theological Institute ended on 21 May with the Graduation Ceremony. The forty-five Theology students thanked Fr Joseph Nguyen Van Quang, Provincial of Vietnam, and the formation personnel and professors of Theology, for their support.
Rome, Italy - June 2016 - The volume of 300 pages by Fr Vittorio Pozzo entitled "The Salesians of Don Bosco in Lebanon. The first 25 years of Salesian presence in Lebanon from 1952 to 1977", was launched on 3 June at the Salesian Institute of the Sacred Heart in Rome. The book is published by LAS of Rome as part of the Salesian Historical Institute Series. The many people present, including civil and religious authorities, appreciated the invitation to the launch of the book. After an introduction by Fr Thomas Anchukandam, Director of the Salesian Historical Institute, the presentation was chaired by Fr Stanilslaw Zimniak, a member of the Institute. Speakers at the presentation were Lucy Ladikoff from the University of Genoa; Giorgio Rossi, former Professor of Modern History at the University of Roma Tre and LUMSA; and the poet and writer Giuseppe Goffredo.
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.