Missionary Sending 2025

Turin (Italy). On 11 November 2025, in the Basilica of Mary Help of Christians in Turin, 7 Daughters of Mary Help of Christians of the 148th FMA missionary expedition, 15 Salesians of Don Bosco of the 156th SDB missionary expedition, and 9 of the previous expeditions received the missionary crucifix during the Eucharistic Celebration presided over by the Rector Major, Fr. Fabio Attard, with the presence of the Mother General of the FMA Institute, Sister Chiara Cazzuola; of the Vicar General,  Sister Maria del Rosario García Ribas; of the General Councilor for the Missions, Sister Ruth del Pilar Mora; of the Provincials of  Mary Help of Christians Province (IPI), Sister Emma Bergandi; of Holy Family Province (LO), and of the General Councilor for Missions, Fr. George Crisafulli.

On 11 November 1875, Don Bosco, here in the Basilica of Mary Help of Christians, celebrated the first Salesian missionary departure for Argentina. That beginning, the realization of a dream of going “to the ends of the world”, marks an experience of faith and hope that is perpetuated to this day in which the 150^th anniversary of the First Missionary Expedition is celebrated. Since then, uninterruptedly every year, that missionary gesture has been repeated, an expression of a profound identity: to bring the Gospel to young people, especially the poorest, where life calls. In a climate of great silence and emotion, at the beginning of the Eucharistic Celebration, the Rector of the Basilica, Fr. Michele Viviano, recalled that historic moment. (video)

In his homily, the Rector Major, addressing all the faithful who packed the Basilica, began by saying:

“We are useless servants. We did what we had to do.” (Luke 17:10) These are the closing words of the Gospel that we have just heard. Through these words, we want to symbolically connect with the memorable event that  was happening here in the Basilica of Mary Help of Christians, exactly 150 years ago, on 11 November 1875. This is not an exercise that takes us back to the past, but rather an invitation that allows us to enter in a participatory manner into the extraordinary moment that still speaks to us forcefully today.

Don Bosco, handing to the first missionaries his written recollections and saying his farewell, moved to tears, was launching a seed as small as a grain of mustard seed, trusting and hoping that it would become a great plant. That farewell ceremony contains an evangelical lesson that is still significant for us today and remains so forever.”

Addressing the missionaries, he continued, “Today before you, brothers and sisters, who are about to be sent on this 156^th missionary expedition, I would like in the light of the Gospel, to share some brief reflections. (…) A first call that emerges from the mind and heart of Don Bosco as it shines through in the Memories is the centrality of Christ; “Seek souls, but not money, nor honors, nor dignity”. (…) A second invitation is fidelity to the charism. In this historical period as a Congregation and Salesian Family, we are insisting very much and frequently on this charismatic identity. It’s not a question of having a lot of information about places and names. Rather, it is about the urgency of knowing the spirit of Don Bosco and the Salesian charism. (…)

The third and final call concerns service to the poor. Don Bosco’s example tells us clearly that to serve the poor, we must be poor ourselves first. The testimony of poverty and sobriety is not ideology; it is Gospel in action. (…)Poverty is the only wealth that sets us free to win hearts, to open the doors of young people’s hearts to the Gospel. The missionary truly communicates authority before all when he/she is consistent with self and with the One who sent him/her. A community that lives poverty and sobriety becomes a living Gospel.” (full text)

The rite of the mandate then took place. The missionaries, called by name by the Councilors for the SDB and FMA missions, stood up and, in front of the altar, answered, “Here I am!”

After blessing the Crucifixes, the Rector Major gave them to the SDB missionaries, while  Mother gave them  to the new FMA missionaries.

In the solemn blessing of the mandate, the Rector Major, extending his hands over the entire group of departing missionaries and blessing the crosses, pronounced the prayer of blessing, which can also be extended to the many missionaries scattered throughout the world: “Dear brothers and sisters, may Mary, Mother and Teacher, accompany and protect you. On behalf of Don Bosco and in the memory of the first missionary expedition, go and proclaim to the young and poor of the world the joy of the risen Christ.

Lord, Holy Father, who wanted to make the cross of your Son the origin of all blessing and the source of all grace, bless these crosses. May those who wear them undertake to renew themselves in the image of your Son. He lives and reigns forever and ever. Amen.

Dear brothers and sisters, receive the sign of the love of Christ the Redeemer. Support and model of authentic and faithful love be upon you. Be Jesus’ smile and tender presence to the young people to whom you are sent. In your mission, you will live holiness and find joy that fills life.” (celebration booklet)

The new FMA missionaries continue their journey, preparing themselves for the discernment in view of their destination, with Missionary Formation at the Pontifical Urbaniana University in Rome, some courses in Salesian Spirituality at Mother Ersilia Canta House of the Preprovince Mary Mother of the Church (RMC), and specific formation for the mission ad gentes, accompanied by Sister Ruth del Pilar Mora and the collaborators of the Mission Sector.

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