Carisolo, Italy - November 2024 - ‘Pausing to be formed’:  with these words Fr Roberto Dal Molin, Superior of the Salesian Province of Lombardy-Emilia (ILE), in the name of the Provincials and the Vice-Provincials, introduced the formation event addressed to the young Salesians of Don Bosco and Daughters of Mary Help of Christians fromthe Provinces of ILE and ILO. It is not a slogan, but the expression of a precise purpose: to carve out a precious time in a demanding and sometimes overwhelming everyday life destined to allow oneself to be powerfully strengthened by the Spirit in the interior life (cf. Eph 3:16). The central theme is new evangelisation: accompanied by the wise text The Soul of the Apostolate by Dom Jean Baptiste Gustave Chautard. The SDB and FMA young people were accompanied by Luca Crivellari and Arianna Scalabrin from the Salesian University Institute in Venice (IUSVE). The formation event set out to refine some important skills for personal development, empowerment and the exercise of leadership, and to help create some necessary conditions for the proclamation of the Gospel. The activities followed one another at a fast pace, allowing participants to work on all the dimensions of the human person that come into play in evangelisation. At the end of the sessions, each participant was able to have any number of impulses to improve their relationship with themselves, others and God for a more productive evangelising activity. The retreat that was the culmination of the days made  the virtues necessary for evangelisation more evident, as Chautard teaches, virtues are formed in intimate contact with Jesus: ‘to speak of Christ, one must live by him’ and ‘put oneself in close communion with His feelings’.

Rome, Italy - November 2024 - On the weekend of 9-10 November, the National Team for Missionary Animation (ENAM) met at the Salesians of Don Bosco Italy National Centre, made up of those in charge of the Salesians of Don Bosco (SDB) and the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians (FMA) of AM, plus two young people from each area of the Salesian Youth Movement (SYM) in Italy. ENAM was officially established a year ago in Genoa and was set up with the aim of growing in the coordination and synergy of Mission Animation in Italy through shared responsibility by SDB, FMA and young people. Specifically, the team met to plan a National Youth Festival to be held in a year's time in Valdocco on the occasion of the celebrations for the 150th anniversary of the first Salesian missionary expedition. The team received support and greetings from Fr Elio Cesari, Director of the National Salesian Centre, and Sr Mara Tagliaferri, President of the Italian Salesian Women's Works Centre (CIOFS). The meeting was characterised by a good family atmosphere and an intense rhythm of work.

Milan, Italy - November 2024 - On Saturday 2 November, Salesian Father Luigi Melesi was inscribed in the Famedio of Milan's Monumental Cemetery, among the many illustrious personalities who have dedicated their lives to the city. From 1978 to 2008, he devoted much of his energies to serving the inmates of the San Vittore prison. His 30 years of experience as a chaplain is also contained in his book, ‘Prete da galera’ (San Paolo edition). The ceremony, held on the Day of Remembrance for the Dead, was attended by the Mayor of Milan Giuseppe Sala, the President of the City Council Elena Buscemi and the Councillor for Civic Services Gaia Romani. Among those present were Father Roberto Dal Molin, Superior of the Salesian Lombardo-Emiliana Province (ILE), the Rector of the Salesian S. Ambrogio institute, Father Sandro Ticozzi,  Salesian bishop Gaetano Galbusera, numerous Salesians and past pupils, and many people from Valsassina accompanied by the Mayor of Cortenova, the priest's hometown.