Sam Phran, Thailand - November 2024 - On 22 November, the Salesians in Formation in Sam Phran and the Sisters Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (SIHM) came together under the name ‘The Dream of Love’ to participate in the creative music and composition competition at Saengtham College. The college, the only one in the country that provides education and formation for seminarians, philosophy and theology students, organises music competitions every year. This year's theme was ‘Laudate Deum - Praise the Lord’, and eight teams of philosophy and theology students from both the diocese and religious communities took part. The Salesian team participated with the song ‘Following the Dream of Love’ and received two prizes: first prize in the composition competition and first prize in the music competition. The inspiration for composing the song came from the experience of the wonders of nature, together with information from the Apostolic Exhortation ‘Laudate Deum’ and the Rector Major's Strenna 2024 ‘The Dream that makes one dream’, which made the song a hymn about the importance of caring for the world together and walking alongside young people, who are in the age of dreams, to help them find those that respond to God's dream of love. The performance of the Salesian Band was the result of the cooperation of various groups of the Salesian Family, including the FMA, who helped control the melody and lyrics; the SIHM, who sang the songs and made costumes out of recycled materials together with the SDBs; members of the ASC, who helped make the costumes for the performers out of fabric cuttings; and young people from the Don Bosco Youth Centre helped choreograph the dances together with the sisters.

Lubumbashi, RD Congo - November 2024 - At the ‘les vignenets spirituality centre run by the Discalced Carmelites located in the district of Tabac Congo (Lubumbashi), Rectors of the Salesian communities in Our lady of the Assumption Province of Central Africa (AFC) and the Provincial Council took part in their annual formation meeting led by the Provincial Fr Guillermo Basañes. The event, held from 19 to 23 November, brought together 32 Salesians who experienced this annual meeting with formation and information sessions, in order to set the strategic objectives for 2024-2025. Various topics were discussed in depth, such as Salesian youth ministry, Salesian mission animation, integral ecology, administration and formation, in order to provide Rectors with a series of tools to help them better manage their communities. Fr Prosper Paluku, SDB, Director of the Industrial Technical Institute in Goma, ITIG/Don Bosco, pointed out that this year's formation meetings are part of the sharing, exchange and understanding of the letter sent by the then Rector Major, Fr Ángel Fernández Artime, at the end of his Extraordinary Visitation to the AFC Province.

Tiruchy, India - November 2024 - The ability to spiritually lead others is a crucial aspect of religious leadership, as well as a disposition of the heart. In response to the growing need for initial and ongoing formation of Salesians, the Salesian Province of Tiruchy, India (INT) conducted a five-day workshop on spiritual leadership, from 19 to 23 November, at the Alaihal-Don Bosco Centre in Manikandam, near Trichy. The programme was led by Fr Sundar Wilson, OFM, a counsellor and psychotherapist with over 30 years of experience, and was attended by 36 Salesians. Each day included four sessions, each lasting 90 minutes. The first two days focused on self-awareness and improving listening skills, and then Fr Wilson introduced many methods and techniques, encouraging participants to practise them diligently for three months before meeting in February for a further training session. The event was attended by the INT Provincial, Fr Agilan Sarprasadam, his Vice-Provincial, Fr Xavier Michael, the Provincial Economer, Fr Amaladoss Sanjone, and leaders from various communities.