Brazil – June 2024 – The Meeting of the Delegates and Members of the Salesian Family in Brazil took place digitally on 8 June. The meeting was convened by the Provincial of Manaus, Brazil (BMA), Fr Felipe Bauzière, and the FMA Provincial, Sister Maria Adriana Gomes (Northeast). The objective of the meeting was to further strengthen the sense of belonging and communion as a Salesian Family, deepening the charismatic dimension that animated the heart of Don Bosco and that continues to motivate every Group of the Family.

Bologna, Italy – June 2024 - On 14 June, Dr Ana Martín García defended her doctoral thesis at the Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, with a research on the study of churches built from scratch and promoted directly by Don Bosco: a study that had never been previously analysed in a scientific and critical way. The thesis, entitled "The ecclesiastical commission of the nineteenth century: the intervention of Father John Bosco between Turin and Rome (1846-1887)", was unanimously evaluated by the five members of the judging committee with the vote of excellent cum laude. The Royal College of Spain in Bologna, the prestigious private institution founded in 1364 by Cardinal Gil de Albornoz (1310-1367), for over six centuries accepted only men. Art historian Dr. Martín García, currently director of the Casa Don Bosco Museum in Valdocco, Turin as General Coordinator, is part of the first class of women to discuss a doctoral thesis at the institution, after submitting her academic curriculum, her candidacy and her research project to the national merit competition in mid-2020.

Rome, Italy – June 2024 - The annual festival of the Federation of Past Pupils of Don Bosco, Lazio was held at Borgo Ragazzi Don Bosco in Rome on 16 June with a large participation representing the 12 Unions in Lazio. The day began with the celebration of the Mass, which was followed by the traditional conference this year entitled "Past Pupils: what future?", with talks by Fr Gianluigi Pussino, SDB, Fr Maurizio Palomba, SDB, and Cesare Sagrestani. Elections were held for those completing their term of office in the Presidency Council. President Cesare Sagrestani (Unione Testaccio) and Councillors Marco Romano (Unione Sacro Cuore) and Alfonso Tesoro (Borgo Ragazzi) were confirmed for the next four years, while Paolo Schiavo (Borgo Ragazzi), Pierpaolo Foti (Unione Pio XI) and Vito Gentili (Unione Pio XI) were added.

Ayagüalo, El Salvador – June 2024 — The Provincial Meeting of Practical Trainees from Central America (CAM) was held at the Sacred Heart Retreat House from 11 to 13 June. The event brought together ten Salesians in the Practical Training Formation phase, two from the first year and eight from the second year. The general objective of the meeting was to guarantee a space for meeting and formation that helps Salesians to discuss matters together, according to the proposed formation framework, in relation to the practice of the Preventive System. The central theme was "A Youth Ministry that educates to love", and addressed aspects such as accompaniment in the formation stage, the revision of formation processes for this level and reflection on the core of the 2024 Provincial Chapter. During the meeting, the significant experiences of each of the works in which the Salesians are inserted were shared, as well as spaces for fraternal shared existence. The meeting also included an initial retreat, which offered an environment of reflection and spirituality. The young people in formation were accompanied by Fr René Santos SDB, Provincial Delegate for Formation, and Fr Marcelo Navarrete SDB, Provincial Delegate for vocation animation. The meeting not only strengthened the bonds between Salesians in formation, but also reaffirmed the commitment to a Youth Ministry that educates to love, following the principles of the Preventive System.

Krakow, Poland – June 2024 – A meeting of those responsible for Youth Ministry in the Province of Krakow (PLS) was held on 14 and 15 June at the Salesian Seminary in Krakow. The meeting was attended by Fr Marcin Kaznowski, Superior of the Province; Fr Franciszek Janyga, Provincial Delegate for Youth Ministry; members of the Youth Ministry Commission; the Salesians responsible for local Youth Ministry and also the members of the Youth Council of the Province. The meeting was held with the aim of reviewing and evaluating the work carried out, both at the local level and at the level of provincial animation. During the meeting, the program for the new pastoral year and the calendar of upcoming events were also presented.
Text: Fr Franciszek Janyga, SDB

Photo: Facebook PLS

Mongolia – June 2024 - Members of the Hong Kong ADMA participated in a two-week exchange course between Hong Kong and Mongolia, organised by the Chaplaincy of the St. Francis University of Hong Kong and the Don Bosco School in Mongolia. Hong Kong students joined teachers from Mongolia's Don Bosco School to organise an English learning programme. Through interactive teaching sessions, summer camps, games and activities, students in Mongolia have an excellent opportunity to learn how to communicate in English. After a short period of settling in, students from Hong Kong and Mongolia formed a firm friendship. This was the first time that Hong Kong students have interacted with young Mongolians and they were deeply impressed by their enthusiasm and willingness to open up. About half of the participants were Social Service students. They also had the valuable opportunity to visit the charitable groups run by the Salesians, the House of Mercy run by the Mongolian diocese and the House of Charity in Darkhan. Fr Paul Leung, SDB, shared with them his vocation and his missionary work in Mongolia that he has been carrying out for 18 years. Although most of them are not Catholic, they have shown themselves to be very interested by asking numerous questions. Everyone was deeply moved by Fr Leung's dedication, which is rooted in his constant love for Jesus. The exchange program ended with a farewell celebration at Casa Don Bosco prepared in traditional Mongolian style. Students and professors from both sides greeted each other warmly by communicating in fluent English. The participants thanked Fr Leung for having had the opportunity during two weeks to experience love and friendship and to be able to speak in English.