By Luis Chacon, CYM for St. Mary’s, Santa Isabel Church, and Salesian Family Youth Center

(Berkeley, California — March 11, 2026) Salesian missionaries serving across the Western United States gathered in Berkeley on March 11 for a day of reflection, formation, and fraternity as part of the province’s preparation for Salesian Mission Day 2026.

The meeting was coordinated by JC Montenegro, Delegate for Mission Animation, Fabian Cardenas, Delegate for Youth Ministry, and Luis Chacon, Coordinator of the Salesian Missionary Volunteers. The gathering brought together Salesians who have come from different parts of the world to serve young people and local communities throughout the province.

The day began with a spiritual reflection offered by Fr. Alejandro Rodríguez, who invited participants to approach the meeting as a moment of retreat and discernment. Reflecting on the missionary identity within the Salesian charism, he recalled the early missionary expeditions inspired by St. John Bosco and the arrival of the first Salesians to the United States. Their long voyages and the challenges they faced serve as a reminder that the missionary vocation has always required courage, sacrifice, and deep faith.

During the meeting, participants also reviewed the Welcome Manual for Salesians arriving from other countries, a resource developed by the Mission Animation Team to help communities welcome and accompany missionaries who come to serve in the province. The document outlines guidelines and practical steps to support the integration of Salesians as they begin their ministry in the United States.

A highlight of the gathering was the shared preparation of breakfast, where missionaries and organizers cooked and served together. This simple moment of collaboration reflected the Salesian spirit of fraternity and family life that continues to shape the missionary experience.

Later in the day, participants connected via Zoom with Marco Fulgaro, who shared perspectives from the Mission Sector of the Salesian Congregation. His presentation encouraged reflection on the ongoing processes of discernment, formation, and accompaniment of missionaries within the global Salesian mission.

The day concluded with lunch and a walk among the redwood trees, offering time for conversation, fraternity, and appreciation for creation. The gathering was also enriched by the presence of Fr. Mel Trinidad, SDB, Provincial of the SUO Province, who accompanied the group during part of the day.

The meeting served as a reminder that the missionary spirit is central to the Salesian vocation. Through baptism, every Christian shares in the mission of the Church, and in the words of Don Bosco: “Da mihi animas, cetera tolle.”