Lubumbashi, DR Congo - May 2016 - On 21 May the Faculty of Arts of the University of Lubumbashi awarded a Doctorate Honoris Causa in Historical Sciences to the Salesian Fr Leon Verbeek. The award was given for the many publications produced by the Salesian in over 40 years of research on the culture of the Southeast region of Katanga, in collaboration with hundreds of employees and thousands of people who have shared their knowledge on the culture, history, anthropology, religion and oral literature. Fr Verbeek, now 83 years old, is currently working to create a digital photo archive on the works and the personnel of the Central African Province.

Parañaque, Philippines – 31 May 2016 - On the feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, nine Salesians made their Perpetual Profession: Keith J. Amodia (FIS), Ryan Oliver D. Bautista (FIN), Victor M. Da Cunha (ITM), Marselinus T. Daga (ITM), Ignasius Harianto (ITM), F. Xavier Inseok Kang (KOR), Lee Hyunjin Paul (KOR), Marizoni Noronha (ITM) and Vince Michael K. Sabal (FIS).

Rome, Italy - May 2016 - The 31st Course for Formators organized by the Salesian Pontifical University (UPS) ended on 30 May. Bishop Enrico dal Covolo, Rector of the Lateran Pontifical University (pictured with Fr Giuseppe Roggia and Fr Vittorio Gambino), dealt with the theme of Consecrated Life in this, the year after the year dedicated to the topic. The course had 45 participants, coming from different countries, dioceses and religious congregations.