Campo Grande, Brazil - July 2022 - Under the coordination of the Provincial Vicar, Fr. Elias Roberto, the meeting of Salesians in formation scheduled in the annual programming of the Campo Grande Province (BCG) was held last weekend. The meeting began with an intense morning of formation, starting with a lecture on "Affective Maturity" by psychologist Alex Bachega. The afternoon of the first day was instead dedicated to the preparation of the Provincial Formation Project, and then continued with a meeting with the BCG Provincial, Fr. Ricardo Carlos, and concluded with the Eucharistic celebration he presided. The second part of the meeting was then marked by a day of sharing and preparation for the period of pastoral vacations to which the Salesians in formation are initiated during the study break. For the meeting coordinator, every moment of the proposed activities is a formative exercise. "The Ratio clearly describes that it is the responsibility of every confrere and the specific task of those who work in vocation animation and formation to understand the contexts, to understand the problems, to grasp the conditions that are presented to those who live vocation... This is the fundamental element of this meeting and what animates the participation of those in formation," said Fr. Elias Roberto.

Euclides Brites

Journalist - Salesian Mission of Mato Grosso

Caracas, Venezuela - July 2022 - The life of the youth centers and oratories of the Salesian Province of Venezuela (VEN) has been altered in the past years due to the pandemic, as well as that of their animators and recipients. All this has made them adapt to the new needs that have arisen, maintaining their range of activities with online, in-person, semi-in-person, integral and individual accompaniment. The period of July and August is one of the most important times for the young animators of Salesian youth centers and oratories as they promote, together with the Salesians and lay collaborators, the educational and evangelizing activities of the vacation time. "They are unforgettable experiences, because with them the participants have fun, make new friends, improve their social skills in relationships with others, grow in respect, tolerance and freedom, increase their self-esteem and confidence, develop their independence and autonomy, learn and practice values, assume a healthy lifestyle through daily life, and value their families and social environments," says Fr. Jorge Bastidas, Delegate for Youth Ministry of the VEN Province. This year, the VEN Province estimates that about 10,000 participants between animators and recipients will be involved during the vacations. The Commission of Oratories and Youth Centers chaired by Fr. Bastidas launched the proposal at the national level with the motto: "With the strength of Love everything is possible."

Tarnowskie Góry, Poland - June 2022 - From June 25-30 nearly two hundred young people from various Salesian presences in the Wrocław Province (PLO) took part in the School for Salesian Animators (SAS). For 15 years this School has been preparing young people to take on the role of educators during activities with children in Salesian oratories. The entire training is divided into four levels, and the experience one can gain after such formation deserves great appreciation. After the pandemic, the number of candidates for the first level hit a record 88 this year, divided into five groups. The first level includes activities in personal training, media navigation and leisure activities: these are sports activities, games, and merry evenings. It was a very intense period, with as many as six hours of classes per day. In addition to the formation of animators, SAS places a strong emphasis on spiritual formation and deepening the relationship with God. The function of SAS "spiritual father," a new feature this year, was filled by Fr. Paweł Figura, SDB, who presided over the Masses and lectures. During SAS there was much communal fun in an atmosphere of Salesian joy, integration, dancing, laughter and original ideas. In the coming days, many of these young people shall have the opportunity to create a similar atmosphere themselves at various local events, and during the vacations many of them will meet again in Szklary Górne during the "Non Stop Bosko" event.

Fr. Adrian Sroka SDB