(ANS - Jerusalem) - On October 28, the Studium Theologicum Salesianum (STS), Jerusalem Branch of the Faculty of Theology of the Salesian Pontifical University, inaugurated its 2017-2018 academic year. Among the many participants, the Middle East Provincial, Fr Munir El Rai, and Fr Rosario Pierri, the new Dean of the Studium Biblicum Franciscanum (SBF). STS Principal, Fr Gustavo Cavagnari, opened the meeting, after which Fr Fabio Attard, General Councilor for Youth Ministry, delivered a lectio magistralis entitled: "Preparatory Document for the XV Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops and the Salesian Youth Ministry – Points of Convergence."

(ANS - Rome) – "The Race of Saints" enjoyed a record 10th edition. First, the number of registered participants, up this year, exceeded 7,500 runners in the three different classes - 10 km for professional athletes; 10 and 3 km for amateurs. But also for the increased and growing attention the event has received from athletes, press and media, and the world of solidarity. An event that, as the Pope said after the Angelus, succeeds in offering "a dimension that is a popular celebration to the religious celebration of All Saints," and "combines the joy of sport with support for the less fortunate."

(ANS - Madrid) - A delegation from "TGS Eurogroup", an association for Youth & Social Tourism, promoted by the Salesian Province of North-East Italy, visited Madrid from October 20-23 as part of the "TGS18 + Project", the European Citizenship Education Program which proposes study trips aimed at encouraging meetings and exchanges between young people and the European institutions.

(ANS – Bellflower) – Pope Francis, in his encyclical on the environment “Laudato Si’”, reminds each one of us of our call to be conscious and compassionate caretakers of creation. “Today, however, we have to realize that a true ecological approach always becomes a social approach; it must integrate questions of justice in debates on the environment, so as to hear both the cry of the earth and the cry of the poor,” says Pope Francis.

(ANS - Rome) - The Race of Saints is now 10 years old and runners and fans will be celebrating the race in the streets of Rome again this year with an event that combines solidarity with sport: thanks to the commitment of the DON BOSCO IN THE WORLD Foundation, the sporting event, scheduled as usual in Rome on 1 November, All Saints' Day, will go to benefit the "little women" of India, child brides forced to marry adult men, with serious health and psycho-physical consequences.

(ANS - Sanlúcar la Mayor) - The Salesian Family in Spain organized a seminar on vocational animation in Sanlúcar la Mayor, Seville, from 9 to 11 October, designed to focus on youth ministry with reference to vocations and to favor the development of a life project among young people. The challenge, shared by the entire Church, is to ensure that the young people who do visit Salesian environments find their way of being Christians in the world, and that they be accompanied towards discovering their own specific vocations: laity, marriage, priesthood or consecrated life.

(ANS - Farnières) - In mid-September, a weekend animator formation workshop was held in Farnières, Belgium. Involving, above all, young animators of Salesian youth groups “Ephata” (preadolescent, adolescents, young people and families), there were also children from several oratories of the region, and members of the Salesian Youth Movement. The theme of the formation camp was commitment, especially the commitment to animation.

(ANS - Brussels) – This past 12 October, an important workshop dedicated to activities that combine income, education and formation in VET, or vocational education and training schools, was held in Brussels. The Salesian world also participated via Barbara Terenzi for Don Bosco International (DBI) and the International Volunteers for Development (VIS).

(ANS - Madrid) – Just slightly over a month to go to the start of the International Youth Ministry and Family Congress being held in Madrid, Spain, from 27 November to 1 December, 2017. Preparations for the Congress - animated by the Youth Ministry Dicastery in the wake of the 2014 and 2015 Synods of Bishops on Family - has involved the entire Salesian Congregation over the past two years through a consultation of Provincial Councils on this important theme.