Krakow, Poland – October 2024 – As is the case every year, on the Sunday before the election of Karol Wojtyła as Pope (16 October 1978), Pope John Paul II Day is celebrated throughout Poland and in Polish communities abroad. Poles gather to participate in liturgies, various services, prayer vigils, meditations and conferences dedicated to the Saintly Pope. This year's 24th Day of Pope John Paul II was celebrated on 13 October, with the motto: "The Gospel of old age and suffering", organised, as always, by the "Opera del Nuovo Millennio" Foundation with two main objectives: to support talented and destitute young people by raising funds for scholarships; and to promote the teachings of Pope John Paul II. As is the case every year, the Salesians and the faithful from the parish of St Stanislaus Kostka and from the Salesian Seminary (WSDTS) in Krakow and from Salesian presences not only of the country, took part on 12 October in the twentieth edition of the "Pilgrimage in the footsteps of Karol Wojtyła the worker" to the Shrine of St John Paul II in Krakow-Łagiewniki. Starting in the church of St Stanislaus Kostka, the pilgrimage route arrived in front of the house of the Servant of God Jan Tyranowski, Karol Wojtyła's mentor, at the house where Karol Wojtyła lived since 1938, to reach the quarry at Zakrzówek, where Karol Wojtyła worked, to participate in the Via Crucis. Moving on, they arrived at the Shrine of Saint John Paul II, where the Eucharist was celebrated, presided over by Fr Dariusz Bartocha, SDB, Secretary General of the Conference of Major Superiors of Men's Religious Institutes and new Delegate for Social Communication of the PLS Province.

Photo: WSDTS Krakow

Malta – October 2024 - The third plenary meeting of the Advisory Forum of the European Union Agency for Asylum (EUAA) was held in Malta on 15 October. The Salesian Congregation and the Salesian Family were represented by Sara Sechi, Executive Secretary of Don Bosco International (DBI), the body that represents the Congregation within the EU institutions, and Stefano Di Maria, on behalf of the International Volunteers for Development (VIS). The morning session included a panel discussion comprising the heads of EUAA centres who provided an update on asylum and reception in the EU, including EUAA training activities, monitoring mechanism, information and analysis, information on countries of origin, people in a vulnerable situation and EUAA cooperation with third countries. Following the submission of new grievance mechanisms, Mr Francois Deleu, Head of Fundamental Rights, continued with an update on the EUAA Fundamental Rights Strategy. Among the main speakers: Ms Nina Gregori, Executive Director of the EUAA, Ms Ana Ciuban, Chairman of the Advisory Forum, Mr Mark Camilleri, Mr Ward Lutin, Ms Rachelle Cortis, Mr Georgios Raskos. During the event, VIS and DBI had the opportunity to share Salesian values and best practices, strengthen networking between organisations focused on asylum and migration at national and European level and contribute to the CF 2025 Work Plan.

Guwahati, India - October 2024 - Young priests in the quinquennium phase belonging to the Indian Provinces of Guwahati and Dimapur gathered at the Provincial House in Guwahati for an inter-provincial meeting from 10 to 13 October. It provided them with a platform for reflection and sharing. The participants, 45 in total, were welcomed by Fr Bivan Rodrigues Mukhim, Vice-Provincial of Guwahati. During the days, during which many Salesians took part, the young priests shared their expectations and emphasised the value of such meetings for their spiritual and pastoral journey. There was no lack of moments of recollection and Eucharistic Adoration, which enabled the participants to deepen their spiritual bond. Then, on 12 October, Fr Sebastian Kuricheal, Superior of the India-Guwahati Province (ING), celebrated Mass, inviting the young priests to reflect on their vocation and commitment to the Salesian mission. On the last day, 13 October, Fr Kuricheal addressed the young Salesians, encouraging them to commit themselves more deeply to their apostolate, particularly in their efforts to assist and guide youth.