Panama, August 2024 - The cycle of animation meetings for the Preferential Option Sector reached its peak in the Basilica of Don Bosco, the Valdocco of America. This year the meeting featured the participation of formators and educators in the works and social services in CAM Province, as well as young leaders and beneficiaries. In Panama, the two presences of the Don Bosco Basilica and the Don Bosco Technical Institute brought together almost 50 participants to continue reflecting on the relationship between faith and justice, and on how to live this essential dimension of the Christian journey in the style of Jesus and Don Bosco. The workshops developed themes such as youth culture and social networks, mental health care, gender equality and young people and their religious experience. These made it possible to observe the relevance of these elements in the different environments of Salesian work, to listen to young people and their concerns, and to understand how to accompany, starting from the experience of the educator, the challenges and needs that young people face in their daily lives.

Treviglio, Italy – 24 August 2024 - All the Salesians convened at the House of Treviglio for the annual assembly of the Lombard-Emilian Province (ILE), met to open the 2024-25 pastoral year, characterised by the national pastoral theme, "Awaited by his love - Joyful in hope", and the central event for the entire Holy Church, the ordinary Jubilee called by Pope Francis with the bull "Spes Non Confundit" and focused on the theme of hope. The opening retreat was led by Luciano Manicardi (Bose Community), who guided the reflection on the theme of the diaconate of hope, on how to arouse hope and how to account for it. After the initial conference, the traditional Eucharistic celebration was held at the city Shrine of Our Lady of Tears, which has just celebrated the fifth centenary of the miracle. In the afternoon, Fr Roberto Dal Molin, Superior of the ILE Province, commented on the letter drawn up by the Rector Major at the end of the canonical visitation and also announced the implementation of some choices in line with both the indications given by the Rector Major and those taken from the last Provincial Chapters. In particular, the strengthening of Social Communications in synergy with the Youth Ministry offices was highlighted.

Lawaan, Philippines – August 2024 – The Don Bosco Youth Centre in Lawaan, on 18 August, officially launched the 2024-2025 school year with an event held at the Don Bosco Formation Centre. The event was opened by Salesian Perry Cerver, who gave a welcome address which was followed by a performance by the Youth Center Leaders. Mass was then celebrated, which ended with a joyful celebration, testifying to the spirit of unity and hope of the community. This event was a powerful testimony to the different talents and abilities of the young people at the Youth Centre. The latter is in fact cultivating a generation of young people who are not only talented, but also motivated, enterprising and committed to having a positive impact on the world around them. Their participation in this event is a testament to the transformative power of the centre's programmes and its commitment to ensuring that young people reach their full potential.