Southern Africa. From 2 to 22 April 2025, Sister Leslie Sándigo, General Councilor for the Salesian Family of the Institute of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians, made an animation visit to the AFM Province of Southern Africa, including Lesotho, South Africa, and Zambia.
On 2 April, she was warmly welcomed in Lusaka, Zambia, by the Provincial, Sister Cecilia Motanya, together with the Sisters, the Salesians of Don Bosco, the Salesian Cooperators, Past Pupils, and young people. In Zambia, where she began her visit, Sister Cecilia accompanied her to the missions of Thorn Park, Mornese, City of Hope, Mazabuka, Kasama, Mansa, and Luwingu.
In South Africa she visited the Provincial House of Benoni, the three elderly sisters who were in a nursing home run by the Dominican Sisters, the communities of Booysens, Ennerdale, and Lesotho. Wherever she went, she held formation meetings with the FMA and members of the Salesian Family, characterized by the typical Salesian family spirit.
On 6 April, the Salesian Family in Zambia met at the Mornese Spirituality Center, in Makeni, Lusaka. The event was attended by the FMA of the three Communities of Lusaka – Thorn Park, City of Hope, and Mornese – the Salesians of Don Bosco, the Salesian Cooperators, Past Pupils, and members of VIDES, with a total of 86 participants.
Also present were Fr. Leszek Aksamit, SDB, Delegate for the Salesian Family of Mary Help of Christians Preprovince (ZMB), and Fr. Chrisopher Kunda, SDB, National Youth Pastoral Coordinator of the Episcopal Conference of Zambia, who concelebrated the Eucharist. Fr. Leszek welcomed all the members of the Salesian Family and greeted in a special way Sister Leslie, giving her the “welcome back” to Zambia and expressing gratitude on behalf of the Salesian Family for having chosen to visit the Country again.
In South Africa, the Salesian Family Day was held at the Provincial House on 21 April, Monday of the Angel. There were several groups of the Salesian Family with a total of 55 members: 5 communities of Daughters of Mary Help of Christians – Benoni, Booysen, Ennerdale, Malamulele, and Lesotho; Salesians of Don Bosco; Missionary Sisters of Mary Help of Christians (MSMHC); Salesian Cooperators (SSCC), Don Bosco Volunteers (VDB), and ADMA Aspirants.
The Eucharistic Celebration was presided by Fr. Bonginkosi Nhleko, Delegate of the Salesian Family of Blessed Michele Rua Preprovince (AFM), and concelebrated by the Superior of the Preprovince Fr. Klement Vaclav, with six other Salesians. On the same day, news of Pope Francis’ death came, a “shock” for everyone. Together we remained in silence for a time to pray for his eternal rest and for the Church.
The Provincial, Sister Cecilia Motanya, was then invited to give the opening discourse. Sister Cecilia expressed her gratitude to Sister Leslie for her presence in the Province and encouraged those present to continue strengthening the good values necessary to work together as a Salesian Family, in the SDB and FMA Provinces/Preprovince. Sister Leslie in turn expressed her gratitude to the members of the Salesian Family for their warm welcome.
In her talk, she presented the different groups that make up the Salesian Family, the different parts of the world where they are present, the stages and years of foundation. The session was interesting and lively. Participants interacted freely, asking questions on issues that needed clarification, such as the conditions for membership of the various Groups.
Sister Leslie challenged the members of the Salesian Family to strengthen the seven existing groups and invite others to join the Family. She also added that the Groups not yet present in the Province can be slowly introduced. She concluded with the presentation of the new document, “Animation and Accompaniment in the Salesian Family” published by the Salesian Family Sector, explaining that it was written in simple language, accessible to all, and presented practical methods of animation.
In South Africa, in addition to talking about the Salesian Family, she presented Strenna 2025, “Anchored in hope, pilgrims with young people” of the Vicar of the Rector Major, Fr. Stefano Martoglio. Discussion groups followed and for feedback each group had to share a word that defined “Hope”. It was interesting to see how all the groups gave different feedback: Hope is confidence, courage, life in Christ, patience… The day ended with a Via Lucis, reflecting on the resurrection of Christ.
The AFM Province expressed its gratitude to Sister Leslie for visiting their realities and the different groups of the Salesian Family. “This was a historic moment for us, and it also strengthened and encouraged us to continue spreading the Salesian charism among the people that God has entrusted to us.”
