NEWS PHOTOS
Juba, South Sudan - September 2024 - The Don Bosco Mission in Juba celebrated a significant event at the St. Vincent de Paul parish on September 27. The community gathered for the feast of St. Vincent de Paul, the conclusion of the parish Eucharistic Congress, and the sacraments of First Communion and Confirmation. Cardinal Stephen Ameyu Martin Mulla, along with other bishops, presided over the ceremony, administering First Communion to 100 children and Confirmation to 287 young people. The theme was "One Body, One Spirit in Christ" (Eph 4:4). The celebration included a week of retreats, adoration, and confessions leading up to the event, culminating in a large Eucharistic procession. Fr. George Kainikunnel and the clergy focused on the spiritual formation of the faithful, evident in the community's devotion. Cardinal Ameyu encouraged the congregation to embody a Eucharistic spirit, promoting peace and unity, and to foster a community where Christ resides, ultimately becoming the living Eucharist.
Krakow, Poland - October 2024 - On 1 October, the community of the Salesian Seminary in Krakow celebrated the inauguration of the academic year 2024-2025. Many guests attended the occasion, including several Salesians from Polish Provinces, sisters and lay people. The Mass, celebrated in the chapel of the Theologate, was presided by the Superior of the Warsaw Province (PLE), Fr Tadeusz Jarecki, SDB. Afterwards, the Rector of the Seminary, Fr Adam Paszek SDB, presented a report on the previous year's activities. The inaugural lecture entitled "Religiosity and moral attitudes of young people" was delivered by Prof. Fr Jan Dziedzic, from the Pontifical John Paul II University in Krakow.
Caracas, Venezuela - October 2024 - On October 1-2, 2024, Salesian Directors convened at the Provincial House in Caracas, Venezuela, to strengthen pastoral educational initiatives for 2024-2025. Led by Fr. Rafael Montenegro and his team, the meeting aimed to address the pressing social and educational challenges in the country. Key discussions included the current environmental issues and their impact on animals, emphasizing the need for humans to listen and respond to non-human suffering. The meeting featured four main components: Country Situation Analysis: Presented by Prof. Alexander Campos, focusing on social and educational challenges. Pastoral Action Projection: Evaluating strategies to adapt educational initiatives to current realities. The Rector Major's Letter: Discussing the significance of the Extraordinary Visitation for future Salesian actions. Provincial's Report: Reviewing last year's activities and recommending approaches for the upcoming year. Overall, the gathering fostered reflection and fraternity among Directors, reinforcing their commitment to global education that meets the needs of youth in a challenging context.
Pordenone, Italy - September 2024 - On Saturday 28th September, at the Don Bosco College in Pordenone, a solemn celebration took place in which Antonino Mazara, SDB, and Sister Federica Zof, FMA, made their Perpetual Profession, promising to consecrate their lives definitively to God and to the service of the Salesian mission. The guiding phrase of the celebration, taken from the Gospel of Matthew, was "Give them something to eat" (Mt 14:16), an invitation to make themselves bread broken for their neighbour, in the logic of gift and service. The celebration was attended by some 600 people from all over the Triveneto region, testifying to an atmosphere of joy and fraternity. The rite was presided over by Fr Silvio Zanchetta, Superior of the Province of North-East Italy (INE), who, during his homily, emphasized the importance of friendship and the gift of self. The celebration then continued into the evening with a valuable show on the life of Don Bosco staged by the young people of the Chioggia Oratory.