Messina, Italy – October 2024 - With great joy and gratitude, the Salesian St Paul Province of Sicily (ISI), the Salesian "San Tommaso"  Community Messina and the families of the candidates celebrated the Perpetual Profession of eleven young people who have chosen to give themselves completely to the Lord through the charism of Don Bosco. The ceremony was held on the afternoon of 5 October, at the Co-Cathedral the Divine Saviour in Messina, during a solemn Eucharistic Celebration presided over by Fr Alphonse Owoudou, Councillor for the Africa-Madagascar Region. The candidates for Perpetual Profession, from different parts of the world, were formed at the "San Tommaso" Theological Institute in Messina: Rogers Berocan, Sérgio A. Dos Santos, Francisco Horta, Fidel Junior, Georges Niyonkuru, U. Frank T. Bayiha, A. Melsior Porseni, Déo Nizirimana, and three young Sicilians: Emanuele Geraci, Vito Mangano and Orazio Moschetti. During the homily, Fr Owoudou reflected on the role of the good shepherd, a model for every Salesian. "The Salesian must be able to say: ‘I am a pastor’. God is the only shepherd and teacher, and we must recognise his voice and obey, following the example of Jesus. Today many young people are lost because they lack safe guides, pastors capable of showing them the right way." The Salesian vocation, the Regional Councillor concluded, is realised in service to young people, especially the poorest and most needy, embodying the vision of Don Bosco. The Salesian, in his daily commitment, makes God visible and credible. The care of one's vocation requires a constant relationship with God, with the confreres and with young people, to work together in the service of a greater mission.