Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Turin (Agenzia Fides) – On Sunday 26 September, from the Basilica of Mary Help of Christians in Turin-Valdocco, the 141st Missionary Expedition will officially depart. The missionary mandate will be given by the Rector Major of the Salesians, Fr Pascual Chávez. The event recalls the first missionary expedition sent by Don Bosco himself on 11 November 1875, and re-confirms the global missionary vocation of the Congregation.
According to information released by the Salesian news agency ANS, this year, there will be 42 Sons of Don Bosco receiving their cross from the Rector Major, 9 more than last year. Many of them, 24, come from Asia, while 10 are from Vietnam alone. The rest are from Europe (7), America (5) and Africa (6), which this year for the first time is sending out more missionaries than it is welcoming. In addition to these there are 3 other Salesians who went to the missions during 2010, two sent to Haiti and one to Fiji, who however will not be present at this ceremony since they are already in their mission lands. There will also be 8 missionaries of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians and 22 lay volunteers. The destinations of the new missionaries are works and communities around the world. The Salesian missionaries have been getting ready for this day by attending a preparation course organized by the Department for the Missions. (SL) (Agenzia Fides 22/09/2010)
