Rome (Italy). From 8 to 23 September 2025, 29 people, including 9 Daughters of Mary Help of Christians and 20 lay people from Angola, Brazil, Portugal, and Mozambique, arrived in Rome at Sacred Heart House of Saint John Bosco Province (IRO) to live the experience of Project Mornese in Portuguese, organized by the Institute’s Formation Sector.
The itinerant route was coordinated by Sister Jeanette Palasota, Sector collaborator, and animated by Sister Cláudia Regina Correia Ribeiro (BAP), Sister Monaliza Carolina Machado Bernardino (BAP), and Sister Antoniele Maria Silva Holanda (BRE), with the accompaniment of Fr. Sergio Saide, Salesian of Don Bosco of the MOZ Province.
Project Mornese is a profound experience of contact with the roots of the Salesian Charism, with the aim of reviving the beauty of the vocation and strengthening the commitment to be, following the example of Mary, a presence that generates life.
Holiness is possible
Before the start of the Project, on 7 September in Rome, the participants experienced an unforgettable moment, the Canonization of Carlo Acutis and Pier Giorgio Frassati in St. Peter’s Square. The celebration was perceived as a singular grace, testifying that holiness is not a distant ideal.
Rome, eternal city
After the initial moments of welcome, the participants visited the General House of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians, where they were able to immerse themselves in the richness of the Salesian mission through the Charism Exhibit and the presentation of the various services of the Sectors. The intense days of spirituality and sharing included pilgrimages to the Papal Basilicas, Sacred Heart, and the catacombs, culminating in the Goodnight of Mother Chiara Cazzuola, who invited everyone to go to Mornese with an open heart, to listen to the voice of Mother Mazzarello.
The words of the participants reflect the strength of this experience: “I grew in love for the Church; the desire to live holiness in everyday life was rekindled in me.”
“I leave this spiritually stage fortified with a greater sense of belonging and motivated to transform this in-depth experience into concrete gestures of service to young people.”
In footsteps Johnny Bosco
The itinerary led the participants to Colle Don Bosco and Chieri, significant places in Johnny Bosco’s childhood and youth. It was possible to remember a life marked by poverty, the early loss of his father, and family difficulties. In Chieri, even in the face of hunger and humiliation, Don Bosco never gave up his desire to be a priest. The testimony of his determination sparked a profound reflection, how can we enthuse today’s young people, if often we ourselves give up our dreams?
Valdocco: the dream comes true
Turin, Valdocco revealed itself as the realization of Don Bosco’s great dream, which continues to inspire thousands of young people. More than a physical space, it is a “sanctuary of hope”, marked by the presence of Mary, the affection of Mother Margherita, and the wisdom of Fr. Cafasso. There, the centrality of the Eucharist and Confession unites with the humanity of Don Bosco, who cries, asks for help, without ever giving up. The visit has become an invitation to reflect; even in the face of the greatest obstacles, it is the search for solutions that transforms into agents of hope and change.
In Don Bosco’s room, “hearing the bell ringing as a call to mission and delving into the centrality of the Eucharist and Confession, the bread that comes to life, was profoundly transforming. Discovering Don Bosco crying, asking for help, and questioning, but never giving up, was very significant,” reflects one of the participants.
Mornese: source of the FMA charism
It was in that environment of simplicity that Maín grew in faith and learned to be light and hope among her own. Mornese was a real opportunity to rekindle the joy of the Salesian vocation in the hearts of the participants. Walking in the places that marked the life of Mother Mazzarello was like listening, in silence and prayer, to the voice of the Holy Spirit who invites everyone to be a presence that generates life and hope.
Some resonances shared by participants: “Mornese was a true spiritual immersion for me. I immersed myself in the Salesian Charism of the FMA and rediscovered the beauty of the vocation that unites us.”
“The symbols collected on the way to Valponasca reminded me that I must flourish where God plants me.”
“The image in the Shrine of Mother Mazzarello, in which she fixes her gaze on the Madonna and Child Jesus, marked me deeply. There were times when I felt almost hypnotized, trying to experience what she felt in that meeting.”
Nizza Monferrato: expansion of the Institute and consolidation of the Preventive System in a feminine style
“Entering the sanctuary of Nizza, I was enchanted by the Help of Christians. Passing through the corridor, I felt the call to go on a mission and upon entering the room the idea grew even more.”
A Nizza, the Preventive System in the feminine has taken concrete form; a maternal way of educating, marked by care, listening, and trust. Retracing the life of Mother Mazzarello, three windows open as inspiration –Valponasca (Eucharist), Nizza (Pastoral), and Saint Cyr (Missionary) – which today we are invited to rediscover in our educational presences. This prophetic style remains current; to educate with love, closeness, and faith, always putting young people at the center.
What do you take home
“Every step of this pilgrimage was prayer and listening to the Spirit. We return with a heart full of the certainty that the simplicity, joy, and dedication of the Founders, who continue to generate life. We carry the desire to live an embodied Preventive System, which welcomes, listens, and sows hope. We dream of being, like Don Bosco and Mother Mazzarello, educators who cultivate faith in the ordinary, transform small gestures into love, and become a joyful presence among young people,” is the echo of the participants.
