Płock, Poland – September 2024 – The 32nd National Salesian Youth Games were held during the weekend of 21-22 September,, hosted by "SL SALOS CORONA PŁOCK". The sports event was attended by over 750 young athletes from all over Poland, from the local associations of the "SALOS" (Salesian Sports Organisation in the Polish Republic – SALOS RP).  The event took place under the honorary patronage of Andrzej Nowakowski, President of the City of Płock, while the opening ceremony was conducted by sports commentator Przemysław Babiarz. The Olympic torch was lit by a handball player and the coach of the goalkeepers of the Orlen Wisła Płock team, Marcin Wichary. Fr Tadeusz Jarecki, Superior of the Province of Poland-Warsaw (PLE), imparted his blessing. The athletes faced each other in four sports: basketball, football, volleyball and table tennis. Children and young people associated with the Salesian Sports Organisation SALOS RP are involved in a system of sports competitions throughout the year, and then meet in the National Salesian Youth Games Grand Final. Mass was also celebrated on Saturday 21 September, presided over by Bishop Szymon Stułkowski, Bishop of Płock, during which the act of entrusting all the SALOS associations to Mary Immaculate Help of Christians was carried out. Dinner followed, with a lot of fun on the part of the young people. The following day the finals were held in eight sports fields, followed by the award ceremony in the sports center of the Paweł Włodkowi University College. The enormous commitment by the local administration of the city of Płock in the preparation and realisation of these Games, which were held in Płock after 14 years, deserves to be underlined.

Photo and text: salezjanie.waw.pl

Bolivia – September 2024 – Fr Hugo Orozco, Councillor for the Interamerica Region, has concluded the Visitation to the Salesian Our Lady of Copacabana Province of Bolivia (BOL), carried out between 10 August and 29 September 2024. For almost two months, Fr Orozco visited the different Salesian works, meeting religious communities and groups of lay people and offering an evaluation of the commitment and collective effort that feeds the Salesian mission in the country. He also met the Rectors of Works at the Provincial House, where he also presided over the concluding Eucharistic Celebration, a significant moment for the entire community. During the homily the Councillor highlighted three main aspects: the centrality of Jesus, the value of the community and the relevance of young people. He then expressed his sincere gratitude for the affection he was shown by religious communities and lay groups in each of the works visited. He recognised the common effort that supports the Salesian mission in Bolivia, emphasising that each of these meetings was fundamental to enrich the spirit of collaboration and commitment that characterises the Salesian Family. At the end of his visit, Fr Orozco left an invitation open to all the members of the community: "to continue building an environment of love, support and unity, where every young person can feel valued and accompanied on their journey".

Vatican City – October 2024 – On 2 October, the liturgical memorial of the Holy Guardian Angels, in a Saint Peter's Square packed with faithful, Pope Francis presided over the opening Mass of the second session of the 16th General Assembly of the Synod on Synodality. The initial procession was also attended by Cardinal Ángel Fernández Artime and Sister Yvonne Reungoat, Mother General Emeritus of the Institute of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians and facilitator at the Synod. In the opening Mass, Pope Francis recalled that to face up to this second session it will be necessary to adopt certain attitudes: listening, discerning the voice of God, getting rid of everything that prevents us from "creating harmony in diversity", opening our hearts and minds and "making ourselves small" to welcome each other, "with humility". With a look at what is happening in the world, Pope Francis then announced that to invoke the gift of peace, next Sunday he will gather in prayer in the Basilica of Saint Mary Major to pray the Rosary and to address "a heartfelt plea to the Virgin", and he invited the members of the Synod to join him. In addition, on 7 October he called for a day of prayer and fasting for peace in the world.