Ląd, Poland – December 2023 – More than thirty young delegates from different parts of the Province of Poland-Piła (PLN) participated in the 2nd Youth Chapter, an event that precedes the 15th Provincial Chapter and that took place under the motto "Together let us realise the dream". The purpose of the meeting was to invite young people to share responsibility in the development and realisation of the Salesian charism. The Youth Chapter was held in Ląd from 28 to 30 December 2023, in the presence of Fr Krzysztof Tomeczkowski, Provincial Delegate for Youth Ministry, who opened the meeting, and Fr Tadeusz Itrych, PLN Provincial, who presided over the Eucharistic Celebration. The work was then carried out in five theme groups and a Secretariat of the Youth Chapter was also established which, after listening to the reports from each committee, drafted a final working document to be presented and finalised at the Provincial Chapter. Important moments for getting to know the Salesian Family were the meetings with guests. Representatives of the Past Pupils and Salesian Cooperators were present at the Chapter, while the VDB sent a film in which they presented their Salesian Family Group. The Chapter was attended by several Salesians and a Salesian Sister, Magdalena Baczyńska FMA, responsible for Youth Ministry in Wroclaw Province. Then young Milena, who this year returned from a two-month volunteer service in Madagascar, spoke about missionary volunteering. The meeting ended with the presentation of the final document and guidelines for the various sectors.

Fr Grzegorz Chmieliński, SDB;
photos Fr Krzysztof Tomeczkowski, SDB

(ANS – Miejsce Piastowe) – On Monday 27 November, Fr Joan Lluís Playà, the Rector Major’s Delegate for the Salesian Family Secretariat, visited the Mother House of the Michaelite Family in Miejsce Piastowe, Poland. He was welcomed by the Superior General of the Congregation of St Michael the Archangel (Michaelites), Fr Dariusz Wilk, by the Mother Vicar of the Congregation of the Sisters of St Michael the Archangel (also Michaelites), Sister Zacharia Depta, and by the members of both communities. Accompanying him were Bro. Dominic Nguyen, World Delegate of the Salesian Cooperators and Past Pupils, Fr Zygmunt Kostka, Vice-Provincial of the Salesian Province of Poland-Cracovia, and Fr Janusz Zapala, Secretary of the Councillor for the Central and North Europe Region.

Oświęcim, Poland - December 2023 - A three-day meeting of young people from the Salesian oratories in the Krakow Province (PLS), called "Oratoriada", was held for the first time on 1-3 December at the Salesian Institute in Oświęcim. During the event, attended by 200 people, more than 20 thematic workshops were organised, including dance, language, self-defence, art, plants and many others. The 'Oratoriada' programme also included moments of prayer, the St Andrew's party with a rap concert and DJ, youth meetings... all in an atmosphere of Salesian joy. During the Oratoriada, on 2 December, there was also a meeting of the Student Councils from Salesian Schools in the PLS Province, with debates, moments of integration, joint initiatives and media workshops.

Photo: Archive of PLS

(ANS – Krakow) – A Meeting of the Provincial Delegates of the Salesians (SDB) and the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians (FMA) with the Representatives of the other Groups of the Salesian Family in the Central and Northern Europe Region took place in Krakow from 22 to 25 November 2023, , following the program of meetings with the different regions of the Salesian world held in October and November.

(ANS – Przemyśl) – Salesian work in Przemyśl has already existed for more than a hundred years. The central ceremony of this important anniversary took place on Sunday, 19 November 2023, and was accompanied by a concert by the "Fausystem" youth band  and the handover of recognition to former parish priests and various benefactors and parishioners. The Pastor of the Archdiocese of Przemyśl, Bishop Adam Szal, in the homily at the Mass of celebration, stressed the value of the Salesian charism for the city and the merits of the Sons of Don Bosco in the work of educating the young people there.

Szczecin, Poland - November 2023 - The 19th European Assembly of the Salesian Youth Movement (SYM), was held in Szczecin from 24 to 26 November. The annual event is intended to be a time to meet, share, evaluate and plan the different dynamics of the youth movement; this year, in particular, to start preparing the SYM Youth Synod which will be held in 2024 in Valdocco and Colle Don Bosco with the participation of young people from all over the world. The meeting was attended by young people, Salesians and Daughters of Mary Help of Christians linked to the SYM from different European countries. The formation moment was led by Fr Mike Pace, SDB, who explored Don Bosco's "Dream at Nine Years of Age" which will celebrate its 200th anniversary in 2024. Starting from the exploration of the dream, the various programming and study works continued. The "Small Team" of the SYM Europe also took stock of the situation of the movement on the continent and presented the path undertaken. In addition, the new European team was elected.