(ANS – Orange) – Sometimes we take for granted the influence and impact that the Salesian presence makes in the life of the young and lay collaborators. The Salesian community in Orange, N.J., is so proud of the accomplishments of many young people and collaborators who have been open to the Salesian charism. But let us hear from two of them how Don Bosco has influenced their lives.

(ANS - Rome) - Today the International Youth Forum promoted by the Dicastery for the Laity, Family and Life begins at the Casa Il Carmelo of Ciampino. The Forum, which will be held until June 22, is proposed as an ideal continuation of the Synod of Bishops last October, centered precisely on young people, faith and vocational discernment. The Salesian Youth Movement (SYM) will be represented at this meeting, which will bring together representatives of various movements, from Carina Baumgartner, a young woman from SYM Austria, who works in Salesian Youth Ministry in Vienna and who was part of the previous "Small Team", the SYM Europe coordination team.

(ANS - Madrid) - Amazonia is undoubtedly one of the themes that Pope Francis has very much at heart, and he would like all Christians to participate in this sentiment, as demonstrated by Puerto Maldonado, Peru, in January 2018. On that occasion, according to Fr Juan (Giovanni) Bottasso, an Italian Salesian missionary active in Ecuador for 60 years, the Pope "clearly stated that the conservation of the Amazon and the defense of indigenous peoples should be one of the great concerns of Christians and, at the same time, he shouted so the Church, which for centuries has been on a pilgrimage in this immense region, have more and more an Amazonian face."