Krakow, Poland – September 2024 – From 9 to 31 August 2024, at the "Stacja Badawcza OUTSIDER Art" art gallery in Krakow, the ex Libris Exhibition was presented with the works of Fr Ignacy Ryndzionek, Salesian of the Krakow Province (PLS). This was organised by the Psychiatry i Sztuka - Dr Andrzej Kowal Assocation whose president, Prof. Grażyna Borowik, describes the Author and his works as follows: "Father Ignacy Ryndzionek (born in 1932) is a classic example of self-taught, student and teacher in one person, whose life destiny has forced him to a continuous artistic development. Although he did not have an institutional artistic training, he benefited from the advice of qualified artists, attended specialized courses and was part of the creative RYS Group, but the real school of artistic development for this talented man was the countless projects of decoration of churches, artistic installations and his work as an artist in the Salesian press. In addition to all the activities deriving from his service to the Church, he pursued and continues to pursue his favorite graphic form - the ex-libris - with true enthusiasm. The Salesian bends over the graphic matrices and, with Benedictine patience, cuts out committed, intricate, fine, balanced in value, technically valid, personal expressions rich in the language of symbols and metaphors. (…) These hundreds of ex-libris of Fr Ignacy Ryndzionek fall within the canon of classic signs ". The exhibition was a beautiful Salesian testimony in the center of the city of Krakow, one of the most famous Polish cities that is appreciated by millions of tourists.

Photo: Marcin Babło, "OUTSIDER Art"

Ibolo-Obosi, Nigeria – September 2024 - The Salesian Youth Movement (SYM) of the Africa Nigeria Niger Province (ANN) concluded its activities of the year with a lively congress held from 5 to 8 September at the community of St John Bosco in Ibolo-Obosi. The event, focused on the Rector Major's Strenna 2024 "The dream that makes you dream: a heart that transforms wolves into lambs", brought together young people from all the Salesian communities of Province ANN. The congress officially began on Friday 6 September with a solemn opening mass celebrated by the Archbishop's representative, Fr Emmanuel Onunkwo. In his homily, he urged young people to embrace the dignity of hard work and resist the temptation of quick wealth and conveyed the Archbishop's joy in welcoming so many young people into his archdiocese. The SYM congress offered a rich programme of activities: daily Holy Mass, Praises, Vespers and animated prayers, including an “Emmaus walk”, which encouraged interpersonal sharing among young people. The congress also promoted creativity through various performances, with the young participants interpreting the theme of Strenna 2024 through music, poetry and theatre. The event ended on Sunday with the Eucharist presided over by the Provincial Delegate for Youth, Fr James Ailen. The SYM Congress continues to be a key platform for cultivating the spiritual, creative and leadership potential of the young Salesians of Province ANN.

Porto Alegre, Brazil – September 2024 - From 3 to 5 September, 25 participants from schools, social works and parishes of the Salesian St Pius X Province of Porto Alegre (BPA), took part in the third Salesian Spirituality course focused on Saint Francis de Sales. The event took place at the Provincial House and was organised by the Salesian Youth Observatory, with the aim of deepening knowledge about the figure of Saint Francis de Sales and his contributions to Salesian spirituality. The person in charge of formation, Fr Tarcizio Paulo Odelli, led the reflection on issues such as humanism and Don Bosco's "encounter" with St Francis de Sales. In this edition, the book "São Francisco de Sales – Doutor do Amor", written by Fr Odelli, was launched. The work was presented during the course and aims to expand knowledge about the life and spiritual legacy of the saint, patron of the Salesian Family. The course was held in 2022, in commemoration of the 400th anniversary of the death of Saint Francis de Sales, and was part of the initiatives inspired by the Strenna of the Rector Major, who dealt with the subject that year.