Turin, Italy – May 2024 - An SYM National Advisory Council was held from 24 to 26 May in Valdocco. Young people from the various areas, delegates and Youth Ministry councillors took part. The theme at the centre of the meeting was the pastoral proposal developed for the next three years, based on the theological virtues, and for the Pastoral Proposal 2024/2025 entitled "Awaiting His Love". During the three days of the meeting, there was time for formation on the theme of hope, offered by Fr Paolo Paulucci. Hope is the topic of the coming Church Jubilee Year. The work was carried out in plenary sessions and divided by territories, to allow reflection on what is happening in the territories and to be able to share it with others. There was also opportunity to be part of the celebrations for Mary Help of Christians and visit the Casa Don Bosco Museum.
Chennai, India – May 2024 – The Extraordinary Visitation of Fr Gianni Rolandi to the Salesian Province of Chennai ended successfully on 30 May. Fr Rolandi's official journey began at St Mary's Catholic High School in Fujairah, United Arab Emirates, on 29 February and continued over the next three months, reaching 53 presences and allowing him to meet with almost 390 Salesians. On 29th May, he held a significant meeting with the provincial and the council, and on 30th May, he officially concluded his visitation by addressing the Rectors and Leaders of the Chennai Province. The Salesians in Chennai expressed gratitude to Fr Rolandi for the valuable indications provided in recent months and for having exhorted them with "the true essence of Salesian spirituality".
Rome, Italy – May 2024 - Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's Coronation Mass (K317) for choir and orchestra only was performed on Sunday, 26 May at the Basilica of St John Bosco, in the context of the celebrations for Mary Help of Christians, in the presence of Cardinal Ángel Fernández Artime, 10th Successor of Don Bosco. The event was made possible thanks to the courage of the Basilica Choir, the "COR.MAX" (acronym for choir Mary Help of Christians), which tried a wonderfully complex and difficult program, ultimately victorious in this undertaking. All this thanks to the intervention of the soloists who follow and instruct the choral sections: soprano Fausta Ciceroni, tenor Maurizio Valeri, alto Beatrice Maccaroni and bass Alessio Magnaguagno. The Sabina Wind Orchestra conducted by Maestro Fabio Ginevoli, with an impressive CV of concerts and events, transcribed the Mozart work for his own ensemble and succeeded in being extremely convincing and exciting. And the emotions were the added value of this event that certainly warmed the hearts of the audience and the Rector Major, who at the end of the mass thanked the choir director, Alessio Magnaguagno, for the beautiful concert.
Phnom Penh, Cambodia – May 2024 – Bishop Olivier Michel Marie Schmitthaeusler, Apostolic Vicar of Phnom-Penh, presided over the Solemn Mass in honour of Mary Help of Christians at the Don Bosco Phnom Penh campus last Saturday, 25 May, in the presence of students, teachers and members of the Salesian Family of Cambodia. The celebration was also enriched by the promise of two young Salesian Cooperators, Martin Sam Sopheak and Johan Bosco Chem Moeun, both Cambodians. Celebrations were also held at Don Bosco Kep where the 24 May solemnity marked the end of nine nights of meditation and prayer. The meditation time also included two other special moments: the International Day of Biological Diversity was commemorated on 22 May and the national celebration of Visak Bochea Day was held on the same date. This occasion, commemorating the Buddha's death, is not a time of mourning, but rather an exhortation to devote oneself to his teachings, focusing on improving one's mind, leading a virtuous life and promoting peace for all humanity.
Brasilia, Brazil– May 2024 – Following the convocation by Eduardo Pessoa Cavalcante, Vice-President of the World Confederation of Past Pupils of Don Bosco and World Councillor for the Americas, an online meeting was held on Tuesday, 21 May, attended by the Presidents and Delegates of the Federations of Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia-Bogotá, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Guatemala, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, and the Dominican Republic. The objective of this meeting was to foster discussion and communication, to address some urgent issues, including a study of the situation of the National Federations, the sending of national statutes, and the proposal to create a monument in honor of Carlo Gastini. In addition, during the meeting, Mario Lozano, former President of Costa Rica and responsible for the Spirituality and Formation Commission, recalled the importance of recognizing and relying on the Holy Spirit as a guide, strength and inspiration at all times, concluding with a suggestion, “let us listen to the voice of the Holy Spirit.”
Wrocław, Poland – May 2024 – The priestly ordination of Salesian Deacon Łukasz Grzenia from the Wrocław Province (PLO) was celebrated on 25 May in the Salesian parish church of St Rafał Kalinowski in Sosnowiec. The ordaining prelate was Bishop Artur Ważny, bishop of Sosnowiec.
Foto: Facebook PLO