NEWS PHOTOS
Shillong, India - February 2025 - Stressing that reason, religion and loving-kindness are the basis of Salesian education, an animation meeting with School Principals of the Salesian province of Shillong, India, was held from 1 to 3 February at Boscotech in Silchar, Assam. The meeting brought together 31 Salesians, including the Provincials, Fr John Zosiama, and his councillors. The Superior of the INS Province led the first session, speaking on the subject of the meeting: ‘Education is a Matter of the Heart’. Based on the principles of reason, religion and loving-kindness, he urged those present to encourage rational and logical approaches to education, to instil moral and spiritual values in students, and to ensure a compassionate and supportive environment for young people. In addition, Fr Zosiama shared crucial updates on school administration and province-related issues, providing the headmasters with valuable food for thought. Finally, Fr Babu Stephen led a specific session on admission policies in Provincial schools, while Fr Genesius Wanñiang, Provincial Econoner, led a session on financial management and documentation in schools.
Caracas, Venezuela - February 2025 - As part of the celebrations in January, the month dedicated to Don Bosco, the St Luke province of Venezuela organised meetings of the Salesian Family in all the provinces of the country, to present and reflect on Strenna 2025 by the Vicar of the Rector Major: ‘Anchored in hope, pilgrims with young people’. With this objective, convened by Fr Yhoan Castro, Delegate for the Salesian Family, the Presence groups of Caracas met on Saturday 1 February. The meeting began with the celebration of Holy Mass at the Mary Help of Christians Shrine in Sarria, presided by Fr Rafael Montenegro, Superior of the VEN province, concelebrated by a large group of Salesians from the different presences in the area. During his address, the Provincial stressed the importance of living Christian hope starting from the Salesian charism. The conclusions of this exchange encouraged the participants' commitment to the Salesian mission, renewing the missionary spirit to build a future full of hope and opportunities for young Venezuelans.
South Sudan - January 2025 - The Salesian communities of Wau and Tonj in the St Bakhita Delegation of Sudan and South Sudan organised Salesian animation for their teachers to start the academic year 2025. This initiative, aimed at all primary and secondary school teachers and technical centre educators, was held with the aim of deepening their understanding of Don Bosco's work, the Salesian preventive system and Salesian educational philosophy. The formation sessions were enriched by interactive activities, lectures and reflective discussions, in which participants exchanged insights on the Salesian education system and how to apply Don Bosco's principles in today's educational context in South Sudan. The sessions were led by Fr Pappy Reddy, SDB, Fr Joseph Can SDB, Fr Demos Kuku, SDB, and Mr Stephen Vuga, a lay collaborator. Through these and similar initiatives, the Salesians in the communities of Wau, Tonj, Kuajok, Gumbo and Maridi prepared their teachers for the new academic year, committing themselves to achieving the planned objectives inspired by the Strenna for 2025: ‘Anchored in hope, pilgrims with young people’.
Pétion-Ville, Haiti - January 2025 - On 31 January 2025, the Salesian Community of Pétion-Ville fervently celebrated the Solemnity of St John Bosco. The solemn Mass, organised outdoors in the courtyard of the Dominique Savio fundamental school, brought together more than 2,500 faithful from all sectors of the Salesian work. The Eucharistic celebration was presided over by Bishop Wismick Jean Charles, Auxiliary Bishop of Port-au-Prince, a past pupil of the Dominique Savio College in Pétion-Ville. In his homily, he recalled the relevance of Don Bosco's charism and the importance of the integral education of young people. He also highlighted three essential virtues of the child, which are profoundly Salesian: humility, joy and wonder, fundamental values to be cultivated in the education of the young. This jubilee year also marks the 50th anniversary of the Dominique Savio College. The solemnity also marked the official launch of the 75 years of Salesian presence in Pétion-Ville, to be celebrated in 2026, a moment that underlined the impact and continuity of Salesian work in Haiti. The educational and pastoral community was largely represented with the presence of young people from the ‘Dominique Savio’ centre, faithful of the St. John Bosco Chapel, beneficiaries of social works, as well as students, teachers, parents, former pupils and lay collaborators of Salesian schools. Civil authorities, including the mayor of Pétion-Ville and other state dignitaries, honoured the special celebration with their presence. The jubilee year of 75 years of presence in Pétion Ville will be celebrated with various activities until 2026.