By Don Bosco Past Pupils World Confederation

       Turin, 28 November 2021 -- The last of the 3 days of the Past Pupils General Assembly opened with a 9:30am Eucharist at Valdocco (Turin, Italy) celebrated by the Rector Major and followed on LIVE streaming by a good number of World Assembly participants and celebrated for their intentions. As usual, the session began at 2pm. After a beautiful prayer to the Holy Spirit, the coordinator of the Election committee, Sergio (outgoing World Presidency member) shared his feelings of gratitude to Carlo Gastini, the first Past Pupils President. Actually the past pupils of Don Bosco, with their 150 years of history are the oldest Catholic Past Pupils Association in the world. Then he shared the outcome of the elections (online) and left the floor to the Successor of Don Bosco to announce the new President (as requested by the Statutes). And the Rector Major from Valdocco briefly introduced the background of the choice of the new president and announced Mr Bryan Magro, former Treasurer of the Confederation as the 11th ‘successor’ of Carlo Gastini (https://www.facebook.com/ilcortilediValdocco/videos/331974291626435). At the end of his first Advent homily Fr Angel F Artime asked: ‘Jesus, I would like to live in You’.

       A newly elected World Presidency:

- President: Mr Bryan Magro (53) Malta

- Secretary General: Mr Peter Kováč (33) Slovakia

- Treasurer: Mr Celso Noguieira (45) Portugal

       Regional Councilors (4 continents):

- Europe (Adults): Mr Valerio Martotana (46) Italy

- Europe (GEX): Mr Alessandro Pensabene (28) Italy

- Asia-Oceania (Adults): Mr Ketan Gala (53) India

- Asia-Oceania (GEX): Mr Niel Evangelista (28) Philippines

- America (Adults): Mr Eduardo Pessoa (44) Brazil

- America (GEX): Mr Carlos Marquina (28) Ecuador

- Africa (Adults): Mr Balthazar Maniratunga (45) Burundi

       After the presentation of this new ‘team’ came two talks – first a short address from Mr Michal Hort, the former President, from his studio in Slovakia, and the address of the new President, Mr Bryan Magro from Malta. The keyword of both talks was based on Gratitude and ‘Upright citizens and Good Believers or Christians’. The new President invited all Past Pupils of Don Bosco to walk together and work hand in hand for the good of young people in need, to give back the gifts of education received from Don Bosco and his Salesians.

       The journey of the 3 day General Assembly (English as the official language of the World Confederation) already watched by more than 1000 people on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClD9NkuadmiYWRL__YHJppg/featured), and many of the Federation reports that were not delivered on time are available upon request from the Secretary General (network@exallievi.org).

       And last, but not the least, the EAO region's numerous Past Pupils of Don Bosco congratulate Mr Niel Evangelista (FIN) for his election as GEX Regional Councilor for Asia-Oceania and pray for his fruitful service for next years. And it was encouraging to also meet our SDB delegates and Past Pupils from Cambodia, Japan, Pakistan, Philippines and Myanmar on Zoom.

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