Rome (Italy). From 6 October to 7 November 2025, the XXVII Ongoing Formation Course in Missionary Pastoral Care took place at the Salesian Pontifical University of Rome, in which 22 Missionary Daughters of Mary Help of Christians from various nations participated: Belgium, Brazil, Korea, Cuba, Ecuador, Ethiopia, India, Solomon Islands, Italy (Lombardy), Kenya, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Sri Lanka, Syria, Hungary, Spain, East Timor.
In the five weeks of the course – from Monday to Friday, for a total of 400 hours – the participants were able to receive theological-spiritual formation from various Docents, in an atmosphere of fraternity and communion. The missionaries thus had the opportunity to reflect, update themselves, and revive their commitment to meeting the challenges that the mission proposes, through a contemporary reading of human existence in its socio-cultural-religious and anthropological dimension.
The group also had the privilege of participating in the Celebration of the Canonization of Saint Maria Troncatti (19 October) and of having some very significant extra-academic experiences such as:
- the visit to the migratory reality of the Scalabrine Fathers at the Church of Jesus the Redeemer;
- the meeting with the Community of Saint Egidio;
- the Visit to Borgo Laudato Si’ at Castel Gandolfo;
- the visit to the central headquarters of the Pontifical Mission Works (PP.OO.MM);
- the visit to Don Bosco Museum and the Basilica of the Sacred Heart of the Salesians of Don Bosco in Rome;
- the pilgrimage in the footsteps of Saint Francis to Assisi;
- the visit to the premises of the Salesian General Postulation at the SDB Community “Zeffirino Namuncurà” in Rome.
The Superior General of the FMA Institute, Mother Chiara Cazzuola, meeting the missionaries, invited them to reflect on the ability to “revive the fire” of the missionary passion that characterized the Founders, in this particular time in which we are preparing for 150th of the first FMA missionary departure (14 November 1877), which occurred two years after the first missionary expedition of the Salesians of Don Bosco (11 November 1875):
“As an Institute, we want to follow a personal and community itinerary of conversion of heart and gratitude to the Lord for the wonders worked in our humble but courageous missionary history.
At this point in our journey, as Daughters of Mary Help of Christians, it is vital and urgent to awaken the fire of the missionary spirit, a specific characteristic of our charismatic identity.
In the awareness that it is not just a question of doing things or carrying out activities, we welcome the invitation of Pope Francis: ‘Today, in this ‘go’ of Jesus, the ever-new scenarios and challenges of the evangelizing mission of the Church are present, and we are all called to this new missionary going out’.
We are convinced that the first form of missionary spirit is to help young people to experience being at ‘home’, and this commits all of us to creating a family atmosphere, to giving them a place where they can meet, feel loved, valued. A place where they can build healthy relationships, dream, be accompanied, be able to discern God’s plan for their lives, and be able to look to the future with hope.
The Salesian missionary style, transmitted by Don Bosco and Mother Mazzarello, is characterized by the community dimension, amiability, availability, joy, creativity, courage, and the spirit of giving without measure and without borders, by indomitable educational passion and by passion for the salvation of souls.
In this three-year period of preparation for 150th of the first missionary departure of the FMA, we intensify our prayer for vocations to consecrated life in our Institute, for the vocation to volunteering for young people and families both in the mission ad gentes and in that inter gentes.”
This time lived by the missionaries in the General House of Rome was therefore a gift to become aware of their being missionaries ad gentes, as well as an experience of internationality lived in the family spirit, made of hospitality, solidarity, and sharing, also with the General Councilors and the Sector collaborators, to learn about and further appreciate the work that each Sister offers for the entire Institute and for the world.
The wish for the missionaries is to return to their own lands regenerated in the charismatic spirit and ardor, in order to continue to be missionaries of hope and peace for those they encounter.
