(ANS – Fatima) – The 9th International Congress of Mary Help of Christians, scheduled until 1 September in Fatima, began yesterday, 29 August, with great joy and enthusiasm. The event, which takes place every four years, brings together members of the Salesian Family from various parts of the world and represents a unique opportunity for celebration and reflection on the Salesian mission and on devotion to Mary Help of Christians, Mother and Teacher of the Salesians.

(ANS – Tambacounda) – The official opening of the "Beteya Guinar" Boutique, a new point of sale dedicated to the distribution of chickens, the result of the  cooperation project promoted by the Don Bosco 2000 Association and co-funded by the Fondazione Opere Don Bosco nel Mondo in Lugano and the Fondazione Opere Don Bosco nel Mondo in Milan, was held on 28 August in Tambacounda, Senegal. The opening ceremony was presided over by the Provincial of the Salesians in Sicily, Fr Giovanni D'Andrea, on mission in Senegal, in the presence of the President of the Don Bosco 2000 Association, Agostino Sella.

(ANS – Munich) – The Salesians, their staff and the entire Salesian Family in Germany are mourning the death of Fr Herbert Bihlmayer, former Superior of the then Province of South Germany. Fr Bihlmayer died on 27 August  at the age of 89, after a long illness. "With his death we have lost a Salesian, a committed and visionary priest and educator, whose life and work have left a profound mark," write the Salesians of Germany.

(ANS – Santiago de Chile) – The religious community of the International Theologate in Lo Cañas, together with the Provincials of Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia and Chile, participated in the Curatorium held last Friday, 23 August. This annual meeting for reflection and projection aims to evaluate the processes carried out and to leave some challenges to the community, both to formators and to students of Theology.

(ANS - Ukraine) – Misiones Salesianas, the Salesian Mission Office in Madrid, and the Real Madrid Foundation collaborate in Ukraine to improve the living conditions of the most vulnerable children and young people. They will do this through a project funded by the European Union, which will benefit about 600 children and young people and more than 700 adults, which provides for the implementation of psychosocial and socio-sports activities over the next two years.