Damascus, Syria - August 2016 - As part of his visit to the Province of the Middle East (MOR), Fr Guillermo Basañes, Councillor General for the Missions, arrived in Damascus, Syria on 26 August. He was accompanied by Fr Munir El Rai, Provincial, and Fr. Simo Zakerian, Rector of the house in Damascus.  Fr Basañes visited the areas of the city where the people with whom the Salesians are working come from.  He met the Salesians and the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians and later visited the Salesian house of Kafroun.

Panama, August 27th, 2016 – Late in the afternoon the Rector Major went to the Basilica of Don Bosco where numerous groups of young people were waiting for him to ask him some questions. Fr. Ángel answered in a warm and enthusiastic tone: “I wish no more than seeing you happy here, and seeing you happy for ever”.

Panama, August 27th, 2016 – The Rector Major, Fr. Ángel Fernández Artime, had an encounter with the Salesians working in Panama. In a relaxed and fraternal atmosphere he outlined to the Confrères a survey of the Congregation, of its lights and shadows, and of the projects to implement to strengthen the Salesian identity and the apostolic mission among the youth.