Asunción (Paraguay). On 29 April 2025, in the Shrine of Mary Help of Christians in Asunción, the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians, together with young people, lay people, and the Salesian Family, lived a day full of emotions and faith in the celebration of the 125 years since the arrival of the first nine FMA. With great fervor and apostolic spirit, they came to Paraguay on 30 April 1900, to devote themselves to the education of children.
Eucharistic Celebration
Fr. Néstor Ledesma, Provincial of the Salesians of Don Bosco of Mary Most Holy of the Assumption (PAR), presided at the solemn Eucharistic celebration, concelebrated by Salesian priests and other religious congregations. In the homily, he expressed:
“The first nine missionaries arrived in Paraguay, moved by the missionary ardor that Christ inspired in Don Bosco and Mother Mazzarello, felt the passion and burning desire to share the faith… expression of authentic intimacy with Him, to be an authentic and true light that illuminates the path and leads to salvation. These first Sisters, as the light of Christ, not only showed the way, but were and are the powerful force that transforms hearts and attracts people to God.
Today, 125 years later, every Daughter of Mary Help of Christians in her generous dedication is a sacrament of the presence of the Risen Christ. (…) Mother Chiara said: ‘Memory becomes a force of hope’. It reminds us that God is also present in our personal history, for this memory opens the way to the future, even in darkness; it is light; it is the star that guides us. On this day, let us revive the memory of all that happened in the Institute and open ourselves to hope, because His love is eternal and always new. May the good God grant every FMA the joy of full communion with Him, to be today and always, a light of hope, faith, and love.”
On behalf of the Salesians, the Provincial presented a plaque of recognition to the Provincial, Sister Cecilia Camacho, as a sign of gratitude to the FMA for these 125 years of educative, pastoral, and charismatic mission.
Various religious congregations of Paraguay accompanied this solemn celebration, expressing their closeness and joy for this historic achievement. Representatives of the FMA communities from all over the Country also participated, in an atmosphere of deep communion.
Special awards
The Municipal Council of Asunción declared the event of interest to the city, highlighting the educative and evangelizing commitment of the FMA, while the Chamber of Deputies declared it of national and cultural interest, recognizing their contribution to the integral development of Paraguayan youth.
During the celebration greetings arrived from Cardinal Adalberto Martínez Flores, Metropolitan Archbishop of Asunción, and the Provincial Ángeles Grassi, on behalf of Immaculate Conception Province (URU) of Uruguay.
Artistic-Musical Festival
After the Eucharist, the Sanctuary Plaza became filled with life with an artistic-musical Festival, which saw the participation of different groups and artists from the Educative Communities of the Regions. In addition, the National Symphony Orchestra of Asunción also participated.
This important anniversary was lived in an atmosphere of festivity, joy, and gratitude, celebrating together the Salesian heritage of education, faith, and hope.
Both the Eucharistic Celebration and the Festival were broadcast live through the Facebook page of FMA Paraguay.
