Rome (Italy). From 22 to 26 October 2025, in Rome at the Juan Edmundo Vecchi room of the Salesian Pontifical University, the European Seminar of the Association of Salesian History Scholars (ACSSA) will be held on the theme, Salesian missions in the world: contribution of the SDBs and FMA’s of Europe, on the occasion of the 150th anniversary of the First Missionary Expedition of the Salesians of Don Bosco (1875-2025) and in preparation for that of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians (1877-2027).
The European Seminar is the fourth after the Africa-Madagascar Seminar, held in Lusaka-Makeni, Zambia, from 23 to 29 March; the American Seminar, in Buenos Aires, Argentina, from 3 to 7 June; and the South Asia Seminar in Bangalore, India, from 27 to 29 June. A fifth is planned for East Asia-Oceania, from 3 to 7 November.
“The Salesian missions in the world” is the unifying theme of the Seminars, to then interpret the specificity of Salesian missionary action in the five continents, different from each other in terms of political, social, climatic, cultural, and religious conditions.
“Through these cultural events, the intention is to raise awareness of the missionary activity of SDB and FMA, presenting research, studies, films, and other contributions. The conferences represent a special tribute to the Salesian missionaries, on the occasion of the commemoration of the first missionary expedition,” explains Fr. Stanisław Zimniak, Secretary of ACSSA.
On 22 October the Seminar will open with greetings from the Rector Major, Fr. Fabio Attard; the Superior General of the FMA Institute, Mother Chiara Cazzuola; and the President of ACSSA, Sister Maria Maul. The intense and interesting program includes, in addition to historical and charismatic contributions, the Jubilee pilgrimage to the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls, with the Eucharistic Celebration presided over by Fr. Andrea Bozzolo, Rector Magnificus of the UPS.
The interventions of the General Councilors for the Missions, Fr. Jorge Mario Crisafulli and Sister Ruth del Pilar Mora, on the Missions of the Salesians and the FMA today, will conclude the Conference, projecting the participants towards the future.
