(ANS – Mexicali) – The Provincial Oratory Festival (FIO, in Spanish) of the Guadalajara, Mexico Province (MEG) took place at the Don Bosco Oratory in Mexicali, Baja California, from April 30 to May 3, 2026. The event brought together approximately 480 young people and teenagers who participated in soccer, basketball, and volleyball competitions in both boys’ and girls’ divisions. The participants were accompanied by their coaches, leaders, and the Salesians of Don Bosco.

This year’s FIO brought together 11 groups from the MEG Province, including the oratories of Nuevo Laredo; Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua; Nogales, Sonora; Tijuana, Baja California; Mexicali, Baja California; San Luis Potosí, San Luis Potosí; León, Guanajuato; Sahuayo, Michoacán; Tlaquepaque, Jalisco; the prenovitiate in Irapuato, Guanajuato; and Hermosillo, an oratory supported by the Salesian Cooperators.

The event began Thursday afternoon with a civic ceremony attended by the Bishop of Mexicali, Enrique Sánchez; Ms. María Desiree Núñez, representing the mayor; the Carmona family, representing the patronage; Fr. Agustín Novoa, Coordinator of the Oratories of the MEG Province; and Fr. Luis Miguel García, Rector of the Salesian work in Mexicali. Following brief remarks from each guest, the inauguration continued with the lighting of the ceremonial flame, a cultural presentation featuring mariachi music and the “Dance of the Lions,” the presentation of each delegation, and the opening address by Fr. Francisco Cervantes, MEG Provincial.

Sporting competitions took place Friday and Saturday. On Friday afternoon, a “March of Joy” was held near the oratory and concluded with adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. On Saturday afternoon, the participating delegations presented artistic and cultural performances.

On the final day, the closing Mass was celebrated and presided over by Fr. Agapito Francisco Espinoza, Provincial Delegate for Youth Ministry. The finals in each category followed afterward.

The Don Bosco Trophy, awarded to the delegation that best demonstrated fraternal participation, was presented to the delegation from Nogales.