Barbacena, Brazil - January 2021 - On 31 January, on the occasion of the feast day of Don Bosco, 14 Salesian novices from the Provinces of Belo Horizonte (BBH), Campo Grande (BCG) and Manaus (BMA) made their first religious profession. The Eucharistic celebration was presided over by Fr Natale Vitali, BBH Provincial, in the presence of Fr Ricardo Carlos, BCG Provincial, and Fr João da Silva Mendonça, representing the BMA Province.

Lahore, Pakistan - 1 February 2021 - The Salesians of the communities of Lahore and Quetta celebrated the feast day of St. John Bosco with the celebration presided over by the Archbishop of Lahore, Msgr. Sebastian Shaw, concelebrated by the parish priest of Youhababad, the Dean of Studies of the Diocesan Major Seminary, the director of the Jesuit community of Lahore. Present were various men and women religious, representatives of the Salesian Family, Past Pupils and aspiring Salesian Cooperators, teachers, students, friends and the group of Salesian aspirants. One of the day's most important moments was the presentation of the annual report on Salesian activities. Fr Samuel Adnan, SDB, Rector of Quetta, reminded those present during the homily: "We must be moved by hope", and invited everyone to continue supporting the most needy by giving them the opportunity to continue to be formed in Salesian institutes. Bishop Shaw thanked the Salesians for their qualified presence in Pakistan for 21 years and urged young people to follow the example of Don Bosco, a poor and humble young man, but with great ideals, always ready to improve.

Fr Gabriel Cruz SDB

Bolivia - January 2021 - The first retreat of the year of the Salesian Family of Bolivia took place on the Zoom platform on 30 January with the participation of about 150 representatives of the various groups. Fr Juan Pablo Zabala, Provincial of the Salesian Province of Bolivia (BOL), led the main reflection; subsequently some videos of the groups of the Salesian Family were presented. The retreat concluded with the Eucharistic celebration transmitted by the BOL Provincial See of Cochabamba, presided over by Fr Alvaro Rocabado, BOL Provincial Vicar.