18 Salesians and 10 FMAs Were Sent Forth as the 157th Salesian Missionary Expedition
(ANS – Turin – October 19, 2026) – The 157th Salesian Missionary Expedition was celebrated on Saturday, October 17, in the basilica of Mary Help of Christians at the Salesian motherhouse in Valdocco (Turin), together with the 149th of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians (FMAs – Salesian Sisters). 18 Salesians of Don Bosco and 10 Salesian sisters received the missionary cross and were sent out across the world.
A celebration on the eve of Mission Day
The sending Mass was presided over by the Rector Major in the presence of FMA Mother General Chiara Cazzuola. The date was no coincidence: the celebration took place on the eve of the 100th World Mission Day, marked as a time of celebration for the entire Salesian Family and for the whole Church.
The day was made even more special by events dedicated to St.
Maria Troncatti, FMA, who was canonized last year: at the start of the Mass,
her statue was unveiled in the basilica.
The Rector Major’s homily
Drawing on the day’s readings, Fr. Fabio Attard recalled that, before asking what to do, one must discover who one is and where one comes from. Referring to the prophet Isaiah and the call of Cyrus, he emphasized that the initiative always comes from God: “God does not recruit a workforce” but calls each person by name, with his own face, his own story, his own gifts, and his own frailties. Hence the missionary vocation is neither a reward nor an achievement, but a gift entrusted to us even before we can fully understand it. In moments of fatigue, loneliness, or feeling inadequate, missionaries are invited to remember that their mission rests upon the One who has called them.
The response, he explained, is not primarily an effort of
the will, but matures within a relationship of love: those who set out merely
out of duty will sooner or later grow weary; those who set out because they
know they are loved experience the journey as a process of growth. This was
already Don Bosco’s experience, right from the “Nine-Year-Old’s Dream.” Hence
the invitation to nurture this relationship every day thru prayer, the Word,
and the Eucharist.
Commenting on Paul’s letter to the Thessalonians, the Rector
Major highlighted 3 characteristics of the missionary response: an active
faith, which is seen in deeds rather than words, because young people will read
the Gospel in the lives of the missionaries; a tireless charity, like that of
Don Bosco, Mother Mazzarello, and St. Maria Troncatti; a steadfast hope, which
is not human optimism but the certainty that the Lord is already at work. “Do
not set out as heroes; set out as disciples, with humility and joy,” he
said, recalling that the Holy Spirit precedes the missionaries in cultures,
among peoples, and in the hearts of young people.
From the Gospel passage on the tribute to Caesar, Fr. Attard
drew an invitation to freedom: the missionary knows how to distinguish what
belongs to God from what belongs to Caesar and does not confuse the Gospel with
power, prestige, or money. He quoted the first piece of advice that Don Bosco
gave to the missionaries in 1875: “Seek souls, not money, nor honors,
nor dignity.” This freedom, he added, requires us to interpret reality with
intelligence, by understanding the history, language, culture, wounds, and
hopes of peoples, and to choose wisely in accordance with the sentiments of
Christ.
Finally, he recalled the grace of unity bestowed upon Don Bosco: not 2 parallel lives, but a single life, unified by love, balancing pedagogical intelligence and pastoral charity. “Be attentive educators and wise evangelizers,” he urged, identifying this as the driving force behind the Preventive System.
Entrustment to Mary Help of Christians
In conclusion, the Rector Major repeated to the missionaries
the words God addressed to his chosen one: “I have called you by name.” “Go
forth with active faith, tireless charity, and steadfast hope. Go forth free,
for you belong to God,” he said, entrusting them to Mary Help of Christians,
that she might take them by the hand and accompany them to the lands where the
Holy Spirit already awaits them.
* * * *
The homily in Italian is available for download at the
bottom of the page, while the complete photo album is on Flickr.
A video of the Mass is also available on the YouTube
channel.
Download attachment: 20261017_OMELIA_SPEDIZIONE_MISSIONARIA.pdf
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