NEWS PHOTOS
Dimapur, India – November 2024 – The annual youth gathering from various oratories, parishes, and ecclesial units in Nagaland and Assam took place on November 3 at Salesian College in Dimapur, centered around the theme "Eucharist: The Way to Heaven" inspired by Blessed Carlo Acutis. With approximately 500 participants, the event aimed to deepen faith, strengthen community ties, and celebrate cultural heritage. Fr. Elow Samuel, Rector of Salesian College, presided over the inaugural Holy Mass, encouraging the youth to live purposeful, faith-rooted lives and strive for holiness like Blessed Carlo Acutis. Salesians led interactive sessions and team-building activities to promote unity, teamwork, and leadership. In the afternoon, Fr. Deli David, SDB, Vice-Provincial of Dimapur (IND), attended as the chief guest, blessing and encouraging the youth. The program included traditional dances, songs, and performances in Nagamese and other regional languages, celebrating cultural heritage and diversity. In his speech, Fr. Deli urged the youth to use the digital age to proclaim Christ, following Blessed Carlo Acutis’ example. Organizers expressed their heartfelt thanks to volunteers, clergy, and community leaders for making the day memorable.
Betafo, Madagascar – November 2024 – The 5th National Congress of the Salesian Cooperators Association (SSCC) of the Salesian Vice-Province "Mary Immaculate" of Madagascar (MDG) took place from October 31 to November 3 at the Salesian Community’s Spiritual Center in Betafo. Starting with a Eucharistic celebration, the congress served as a moment of fraternal and spiritual sharing. Fr. Eric Franck Randriamiandrinirinarivo, Delegate of the MDG Vice-Province for the Salesian Cooperators Association, delivered a lecture on the identity and source of Salesian Cooperators and their belonging to the Salesian Family. Reports from each local center and the SSCC Provincial Council were presented. A new SSCC Provincial Council for the next three years was also elected.
Valencia, Venezuela – November 2024 – On Friday, November 1, the Casa Don Bosco community in Valencia gathered to celebrate its 40th anniversary on All Saints' Day. A thanksgiving Eucharist led by Fr. Rafael Montenegro, Provincial of the Salesian Province of Venezuela (VEN), marked the start of the day. The Shrine of Our Lady of Sorrows was filled with the Casa Don Bosco staff, students, alumni, Salesian Family members, and a large group of friends and collaborators. In his homily, Fr. Montenegro emphasized the meaning of Don Bosco’s sanctity: "to live joyfully and do one's duty." Don Bosco embodied holiness and invited others to do the same, as understood and emulated by Fr. Lorenzo Stocco, who founded Casa Don Bosco 40 years ago to provide a home and education for children in vulnerable situations. Testimonies from former and current students demonstrate Casa Don Bosco’s positive impact on hundreds of young people, proving that education and love can transform lives and build a better future. This celebration also kicked off events commemorating the 130th anniversary of the Salesians' arrival in Venezuela, to be remembered on November 19.
Brazil – November 2024 – An online meeting of Provincial Delegates for Social Communication in Brazil was held on November 6, under the invitation of Fr. Ricardo Campoli, the Salesian Social Communication Coordinator for America from the Salesian Central Office in Rome. Organized by Fr. João Carlos Ribeiro Rodrigues, National Coordinator of the National Council of Provincial Communication Delegates (CONAC) and CS Delegate of the Salesian Province of Recife, the meeting focused on bringing communication activities closer to the Social Works. This initiative follows a request from Fr. Rafael Bejarano, representing Social Works in America from the Salesian Youth Ministry sector in Rome. “The aim is to give greater visibility to our social works and share the life stories within our communities,” Fr. Campoli explained. Another topic was the individual evaluation of activities at provincial, national, and continental levels in line with annual and six-year plans of the Social Communication sector. Delegates must submit the form by the last week of November. Nationally, CS Delegates proposed holding the annual CONAC meeting in Manaus in September 2025 to facilitate Salesian participation in MUTICOM, an event organized by the National Conference of Bishops of Brazil (CNBB) that brings together pastoral workers, professionals, students, and communication enthusiasts from across Brazil. This proposal will be reviewed by the Inspectors at the Salesian Inspectorates Conference in Brazil (CISBRASIL).