A Journey of Faith and Fraternity in Patagonia

A Journey of Faith and Fraternity in Patagonia

Frs. Jorge Crisafulli and Gabriel Stawowy visit first Salesian missions

(ANS – Buenos Aires – August 27, 2026) – From August 8 to 16, the province of South Argentina (ARS) welcomed a significant visit focused on spiritual renewal and fraternity. As part of the 150th anniversary of the arrival of the first Salesian missionaries in the country in 1875. This visit occurred within the context of the celebrations for Don Bosco Month. The province welcomed Fr. Jorge Crisafulli (general councilor for the missions, 4th from left), Fr. Gabriel Stawowy (treasurer general, 3d from right), and Bro. Gunter Mayer, SDB, (provincial treasurer and head of the Salesian Mission Office in Austria, 2d from left). At certain stages of the journey, they were also accompanied by the ARS provincial, Fr. Manuel Cayo, Fr. Pedro Narambuena, and young volunteers.

In the basilica of Mary Help of Christians
in Buenos Aires

This tour enabled the superiors to gain a better understanding of the vast distances, the history, the economic contexts, and the evidence of holiness that characterize Patagonia.

The visit began on Saturday, August 8, in Buenos Aires. In the morning, after arriving in the country, the visitors were welcomed at provincial headquarters and at the basilica of Mary Help of Christians in Almagro. Here, together with the provincial and the local community, they visited the historic buildings and the church, entrusting the restoration work on the Salesian heritage to Divine Providence and Our Lady Help of Christians. The day concluded with the celebration of the Eucharist before their flight to the south of the country.

At the Ceferino Museum

On the 9th, the delegation landed in Tierra del Fuego, before travelling on to the historic Casa Nostra Signora della Candelaria. Accompanied by the local community and Mrs. Celina, a missionary volunteer who has served in Africa, they attended Mass at St. John Bosco Parish alongside the parish community and visited the historic buildings, with the support of local young people who assisted with translations into English.

August 10 was devoted to the community and productive life of the Salesian mission. They visited the sections dedicated to sheep shearing, dairy production, greenhouses, and food processing, before gaining a deeper understanding of the social reality of Margen Sur. The visit to the historic chapel reaffirmed in everyone the profound missionary vocation that characterizes this southern house.

At the tomb of Bl. Laura Vicuna

On the 11th, they flew to the Cordillera, where an inspiring journey began in the footsteps of Fr. Milanesio and Blessed Laura Vicuña. In Junin de los Andes, they walked the Via Christi and visited the house where Blessed Laura lived.

On Wednesday the 12th they continued their journey towards the cultrum in San Ignacio, paying homage to the place where the remains of Ceferino Namuncurá rest and to the chapel dedicated to St. Ignatius, which houses the tomb of Fr. Antonio Mateos, a Salesian missionary among the Mapuche native people. In Zapala, they shared a warm, fraternal lunch amid heavy snowfall, with the confreres from Chos Malal also joining them for the gathering.

On Wednesday afternoon, the group arrived in Villa Regina. For Fr. Jorge Crisafulli, it was an emotional return to the place where, more than 3 decades ago, he began his priestly ministry. He presided over the Eucharist in the parish church, as part of the parish’s centennial celebrations, and met with numerous friends and young people. After Mass they shared a fraternal dinner filled with anecdotes and discussion about the life of the Congregation.

On Thursday morning, they continued on to the shrine of Ceferino Namuncurá in Chimpay for a time of prayer. In the afternoon, they arrived in Viedma, where they visited the cathedral, the tomb of Bishop Cagliero, the bishop’s residence, and the chapel of Mary Help of Christians at the Cagliero Museum. At the Don Bosco Church, they celebrated Mass together with Bishop Esteban Laxague, SDB, of Viedma, and more than 200 members of the 34th Battalion of the Argentine Don Bosco Explorers, marking Explorers’ Day in the land of St. Artemides Zatti.

On Friday the 14th, they set off on the “Historical Route,” visiting the church in Carmen de Patagones, the first permanent Salesian center in Patagonia, founded by Fr. José Fagnano and Bp. Cagliero in 1885. They then continued their journey to Fortin Mercedes, where they celebrated Mass in the shrine, visited the museum, and had lunch before setting off for Bahia Blanca.

On Saturday, August 15, the day in Bahia Blanca was marked by remembrance. They visited the local branch of the Salesian Historical Archive, admiring historical photographs, letters, glass plates depicting the Selk’nam people, and records from meteorological observatories. There were some moving moments, such as the discovery of documents relating to the families of Fr. Crisafulli and Bro. Gunter in old publications. They also visited Bahia Blanca Cathedral and the altar where the remains of Blessed Laura Vicuña rest.

Finally, on August 16, after a week of intense activities, fellowship, and prayer for the Patagonian region, the superiors returned to Rome, leaving the communities with a renewed missionary enthusiasm and their hearts filled with stories and hope.