NEWS PHOTOS
Cebu , Philippines – October 2024 – On 10 October, the Don Bosco Technical Institute in Cebu, Philippines, hosted a meeting of six Salesian novices, who participated in a day of group activity. The event was facilitated by Fr Rooney John G. Undar, Youth Ministry Delegate of the Salesian Province of the Southern Philippines. The purpose of the meeting was to improve the teamwork, trust and communication of the novices, all fundamental components for their future roles within the Congregation. The participants took part in group work, team building activities and a series of games. The novices also shared their thoughts and experiences. The day ended with a reflection and a group prayer, focused on the shared spiritual journey. The activity highlighted the Salesian spirituality of the community: family spirit, fraternal love and holiness in daily life, all essential foundations of a strong religious community.
Rome, Italy - October 2024 - As per tradition, the Lazio Federation of Past Pupils began the new social year with a Pilgrimage to the Shrine of the Virgin of Revelation, at the Tre Fonatane Grotto in Rome. Some thirty Past Pupils attended and listened first to a brief presentation of the history of the Shrine, and then prayed the Rosary and participated in the Mass celebrated by the Delegate, Fr Maurizio Palomba, SDB. The Lazio Federation currently consists of 13 Unions, 7 of which are in the city of Rome. Each Union is present in structures with different characteristics: schools, parishes, oratories. Three Unions continue their activities in structures that no longer have the presence of Salesians. The strength of the Past Pupils is above all that of maintaining the traditional initiatives in memory of Don Bosco: handing out chestnuts to the youth at the oratory at the beginning of November; a sandwich on Immaculate Conception Day and Don Bosco Day; and the annual convention with all the members. Whenever possible, they interact with the Salesian community to help with food and clothing collections for the most needy, or assist in the oratory, tutor students, guard and help out in churches in need of vigilance or a welcoming service. At the end of the meeting, they returned to their facilities, to resume their activities, giving everyone a date for 2025.
Resende, Brazil - October 2024 – A Salesian Practical Trainee Meeting in the St John Bosco Province of Belo Horizonte Brazil (BBH) was held from 10 to 13 October in the city of Resende (RJ). The event brought together young Salesians who are experiencing this phase of formation in different locations of the Province. Based on the them ‘Education does not take place only in the classrooms, but in the relationships in the courtyard’, the meeting was an opportunity to explore the concept of Assistance-Presence, one of the central practices in Don Bosco's Preventive System, which values closeness and continuous monitoring of young people, in addition to the formal moments of education. The event was led by Fr Denis Dutra, Formator at the aspirantate and Rector of the community in Pará de Minas. Also present was Fr Natale Vitali, Superior of the BBH Province, and Fr Nilson Faria Dos Santos, Delegate for Formation and Rector of the Community in Resende. The meeting provided a valuable opportunity for fraternity and sharing between practical trainees and formators.
Ramos Mejía, Argentina - October 2024 - For the first time in the history of the Salesian Province of South Argentina (ARS), a meeting was held in the presence of the Directors of the Vocational Training Centres (VCTs). The event, which took place on 3 and 4 October, is part of the activities envisaged in the VTC Strengthening Programme supported by the Salesian Mission Office in Turin ‘Missioni Don Bosco’, through the Province’s Planning and Development Office. The meeting was led by the Team of VTC Directors, together with Agustín Camiletti, Provincial Delegate for Youth Ministry, Gabriela Gómez and Fr Manuel Cayo, from the Provincial Schools Team. The Directors worked on three fundamental issues: the ‘Governance of the VTCs and the strategic link with the socio-productive sector’, was handled by Prof. Osvaldo Pennini and Dr. Gerardo Marchesini, former Executive Director of the National Institute of Technological Education (INET); Fr Cayo encouraged pastoral reflection starting from the different experiences of best practices shared by various VTCs; while Dr. Lucas Pedró addressed Social and Popular Economy, broadening the formation horizon in the light of the relationship between education and work. During the meeting, various spaces for reflection and dialogue were promoted around the current challenges faced by the VTCs of the ARS Province, and the importance of building bridges with the socio-productive sphere was also highlighted.