NEWS PHOTOS
Messina, Italy – September 2024 - From 2 to 7 September, the first phase of the course of preparation for perpetual profession was held in the Salesian house of the San Tommaso theologte in Messina. The house welcomed the 34 young people from four continents, more than 25 nations, with open arms, a breath of salesianity from all over the world. After the first years of temporary profession spent in study and mission, young Salesians are now preparing for perpetual profession. Starting from the joys and challenges of the Salesian mission with the group work proposed by Fr Alberto Anzalone, the Salesians then reflected on the meaning of consecration to God through the meditations of Fr Giuseppe Cassaro and Bro. Paolo Zini. There were many insights,including pointed ones, that serve to awaken love for God in the awareness of the seriousness of consecration. In conclusion, before the summary and sharing, there was an afternoon of retreat led by Fr Franco Di Natale, and personal reflection, to assimilate the words heard in one's own life and choices. There were obviously moments of sharing to get to know the points of view of the various nationalities, and also of leisure to chat and share the beauty of Salesian life in the informal fraternal moments.
Caracas, Venezuela – September 2024 - The celebration of the priestly ordination of Salesian Meyber Espinoza, held on Saturday 7 September in the Chapel of the María Auxiliadora College, was a deeply emotional and significant event. Bishop Jonny Reyes, SDB, Bishop of the Vicariate of Puerto Ayacucho was the ordaining prelate, accompanied by Bishop Juan Carlos Bravo, Bishop of Petare and Bishop José Ángel Divasson, SDB, Vicar Apostolic Emeritus of Puerto Ayacucho, as well as a group of Salesians, family members, young people and lay people engaged in the mission.
Cebu, Philippines – September 2024 - The Archdiocese of Cebu has organised the 39th "Walk with Mary", an annual procession in honour of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The Archdiocesan Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes took part by bringing her processional image of Our Lady of Lourdes in a parade of different titles and devotions to Our Blessed Mother. The procession began at 4:30 in the morning at the Asilo de Milagrosa chapel and ended at Plaza Independecia in this city. The procession ended with the celebration of Holy Mass presided over by the Auxiliary Bishop of Cebu, Bishop Midyphil Billones, DD. The Archconfraternity of Our Lady of Lourdes looked after participation in the shrine accompanied by members of the Salesian Youth Movement from the Parish of Lourdes.
Italy – September 2024 - After the silent retreat led individually at Madonna dei Laghi, Avigliana, the 24 participants in the seventh Salesian School of Spiritual Accompaniment had a grace-filled experience of appreciating silence, praying the word of God in solitude and personalised spiritual accompaniment. They were able to appreciate what Don Bosco experienced during the 32 years he regularly went to Sant'Ignazio di Lanzo for his annual retreat. The participants then went on pilgrimage to the various places of Don Bosco around Colle Don Bosco (Becchi, Capriglio, Moncucco, Cascina Moglia, Morialdo, Castelnuovo and Chieri). They studied and reflected on the different life experiences of Don Bosco, in particular how he gradually grew in his appreciation of the importance of having spiritual guidance and the importance of spiritual accompaniment in his vocational discernment and spiritual growth. It was an opportunity for the participants to experience the process of what it means for Don Bosco to have spiritual accompaniment in his life, so as to better understand what his own experience was like and be able to accompany others. In the next phase of the programme, the participants will study the different Christian and Salesian traditions of spiritual accompaniment. They will also have practical formation in skills in spiritual accompaniment. The school is led by a team made up of members of the Formation Sector - Salesian Brother Raymond Callo, Fr Guido Errico and Fr Jose Kuttianimattathil - and by two simultaneous translators: Fernando Saade, SDB, and Fr Gerard Umoh.