Wrocław, Poland – April 2024 – A meeting of the Youth Council was held at the headquarters of the Salesian Wrocław Province , involving boys and girls representing the local communities. During the meeting, also motivated by the Youth Ministry Delegate, Fr Mikołaj Wyczałek, the participants focused on various aspects of Salesian life, with particular attention to the role of the leader. There was also talk of events of the Youth Chapter and the Oratoriada, traditional events that continue to have an impact on the life of the communities despite the passage of time. An important moment was the meeting with the representatives of the other groups of the Salesian Family in the province, and there was also time for fraternity, play and shared spirituality. The youth conference was considered to be extremely fruitful and opened up new prospects for the future.

Piła, Poland – April 2024 - The 15th Chapter of the Saint Adalbert Province of Piła, Poland (PLN), began on 16 April based on the theme "Passionate about Jesus Christ, dedicated to young people". Seventy Salesians participate, representing all the presences of the PLN Province, located in Poland, Georgia, Russia and Sweden. The Mass was presided over by the PLN Provincial, Fr Tadeusz Itrych, concelebrated by Fr Bartłomiej Polański, Provincial of Wrocław, and by the members of the Piła Provincial Council. Salesian Brother Jacek Kotusiewicz, observer of the Chapter, the Salesian Sisters of Warszawa and Wrocław and the representatives of the Salesian Cooperators and the Salesian Family participated in the Eucharist. The Chapter will conclude on Friday, 19 April.

Wrocław, Poland – April 2024 -  Salesian Family Day was held on Saturday, 20 April at the headquarters of the Salesian Province of Poland-Wrocław (PLO), involving 70 people representing various groups. The presentation of the individual groups took place after the beginning of the meeting and the prayer led by the PLO Provincial, Fr Bartłomiej Polański: Salesians of Don Bosco, Daughters of Mary Help of Christians, Association of Salesian Cooperators, Past Pupils of Don Bosco, Volunteers of Don Bosco, Association of Mary Help of Christians, Sisters of St Michael the Archangel and Congregation of St Michael the Archangel. Representatives of the PLO Province oratories also spoke during the meeting. At the end of the presentations Jarosław Wąsowicz, SDB, gave a conference on the figure of Archbishop Antoni Baraniak, Salesian, Secretary of the Primate Cardinal August Hlond, a Salesian, and the Director of the secretariat of the "Primate of the Millennium", Cardinal Stefan Wyszyński. Antoni Baraniak's list of merits and achievements is very long, but the greatest proof of his loyalty to God and Country was his attitude during the arrest and ruthless interrogations of the communist regime that wanted to force him to testify against Card. Wyszyński. He endured 27 months of torture without ever betraying, persevering in God's grace until his death. He was announced Patron of 2024 by the Polish Parliament. The meeting also included, after the community Mass, a fraternal agape, and group work during which Archbishop Baraniak's strengths were summarised.

Zabrze, Poland – April 2024 – A meeting of the School Boards for Krakow Province (PLS) was held on 12-13 April. The young people with their companions were hosted by the Salesian School in Zabrze. The event had the purpose of integrating the School Councils, exchanging ideas, praying together and developing cooperation among the young Salesians. The theme of the meeting concerned the Salesian Past Pupils. Fr Franciszek Janyga, Provincial Delegate for Youth Ministry, conducted a very interesting workshop on Salesian Past Pupils and how they can continue to actively contribute to the development of Salesian work, because as has been stressed "we are one big family". Workshop participants worked in groups to reflect on how to develop awareness among Salesian school students that they will become Salesian past pupils, and what to do so that they have the opportunity to develop and be formed in Salesian spirituality. Of course, there was no lack of moments of integration and great fun. The event culminated in the adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and the Eucharist.

Text: Julia Markiewicz
Photo: Don Paweł Gacek, SDB

Krakow, Poland – April 2024 - A Liturgical Service of the Altar (LSO) meeting for the Province of Krakow (PLS) was held last weekend, 13 April at the Salesian Seminary in Krakow., The meeting was attended by about 230 people, including altar servers, readers, young singers from the Schole (schola cantorum) and their parents. It all started with a greeting to participants, introduction, fun together. Two conferences were offered: altar servers and readers listened in the Seminary hall to a conference by Fr Mirosław Kosiec, SDB, on Don Bosco's Dream at 9 Years of Age, while the parents and others accompanying the boys went to the chapel for a conference prepared for them by Fr Andrzej Golębiowski, SDB. Subsequently, everyone witnessed an extraordinary show by a Warsaw illusionist. Mass was celebrated, followed by an outdoor lunch in the "Villages of the World" run by Salesian Missionary Volunteer Młodzi Światu and the performances by youth groups from the various Salesian presences in PLS Province.

Photo: PLS Archive)

(ANS – Annecy) – From 6 to 13 April 2024, 37 Salesians from the four Polish Provinces took part in their annual Retreat held this year in the form of a pilgrimage to France on the theme “Learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart (Mt 11:29). With St Francis de Sales in the school of Divine Love.” Most participants were Rectors of communities and responsible for presences in the Province of Krakow (PLS), accompanied by the Provincial, Fr Marcin Kaznowski, his Vice-Provincial Fr Zygmunt Kostka, and the Provincial Economer, Fr Piotr Pawelec.