NEWS PHOTOS
Nairobi, Kenya – June 2024 - The Provincial Chapter of the East African Province (AFE), took place from 2 to 7 June, ending on 8 June with the celebration of the Provincial Community Day. There were 41 Chapter members and six observers: two SDBs, an FMA, an SMI (Sisters of Mary Immaculate), president of the Salesian Cooperators and a representative of ADMA. The Chapter focused on the theme of GC29 and its three core areas. The assembly began with entertainment by students from the project for vulnerable children run by the Salesians in Nairobi, followed by a moment of prayer. The next day, the Metropolitan Archbishop of Nairobi, Archbishop Philip Anyolo, celebrated the Eucharist. Various topics of religious life in Africa and its challenges were discussed every day. On the last day, the Apostolic Nuncio in Kenya and South Sudan, Archbishop Hubertus van Megen, celebrated Mass. On the same day, the final document was read and approved, corrected and improved by the assembly. At the end of the Provincial Chapter, each participant was satisfied with the work and the Salesians of the AFE Province renewed their commitment to dedicate themselves to Don Bosco's preventive system with more love and dedication for young people.
Battersea, Great Britain – June 2024 – Salesians Alfred Augustine Unuakhe and Stephen Mensah Teye were ordained deacon on 1 Saturday in the Church of the Sacred Heart in Batterseas by Archbishop Timothy Costelloe, SDB, Metropolitan Archbishop of Perth, Australia.
K'Long, Vietnam – June 2024 – The Salesian Province of Vietnam opened its Provincial Chapter on the morning of 6 June. Its theme: "Passionate about Jesus Christ, dedicated to young people. Living our Salesian vocation faithfully and prophetically.“ At the opening, in addition to Fr Barnabas Le An Phong, Superior of the Salesian Province of Vietnam, there were 67 participants, including several representatives of the Salesian Family. Fr Francis Xavier Pham Dinh Phuoc was chosen as Moderator of the Provincial Chapter, while Fr Joseph Nguyen Ngoc Vinh and Fr Joseph Nguyen Xuan Quang were elected as Secretaries. Also present for the occasion was Bishop Dominic Nguyên Văn Manh, bishop of Da Lat, who presided over the opening Mass of the Provincial Chapter.
Jerusalem – June 2024 - Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, presided over the ordination of seven young Salesians to the diaconate on 9 June, in the Basilica of All Nations in Gethsemane. They were called to the service of the people of God and in a special way to young people who are most in need. The seven newly ordained deacons come from four continents: Europe, Oceania, Africa, and Asia. Each of them has travelled a unique journey from their homes to the mission and finally to Jerusalem, where for some years they have continued their theological studies at the Jerusalem Campus of the Pontifical Salesian University. Clement Echoda comes from the African Province of Nigeria (ANN); Aegidius Pereira comes from the Indian Province of Mumbai (INB); Raymond Joseph, from India, is a missionary in the Slovak Province (SLK); Jhon Robert Andales comes from the Province of the Southern Philippines (FIS); Ivan Dvoraček is originally from the Province of Croatia (CRO); Jameson Motilal Nayak from the India-Hyderabad Province (INH); and Francis Mallol comes from the Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands (PGS) Vice-Province. Many priests – diocesan and religious from different parts of the world, formators, spiritual mentors and friends of the ordinands - were present at the Eucharist. Numerous family members and friends were also present representing their countries of origin and the Catholic migrant community in the Holy Land, whom the ordinands serve in their weekly ministry.