(ANS – Turin – October 13, 2026) – An event dedicated to missionary work, gratitude, and fellowship took place on Sunday, October 11, 2026, at Valdocco in Turin, bringing together the leaders of Missioni Don Bosco, the Salesian Mission Office, and some of its benefactors. They gathered for a time of fellowship and reflection on the meaning of Salesian missionary commitment.

At the heart of the event was an account of a recent trip to Madagascar, offering an opportunity to gain deeper insight into the realities of Salesian missions and the people encountered there.

The day took on special significance with the celebration of Mass, presided over by Fr. Jorge Crisafulli, General Councillor for the Missions, and concelebrated by Fr. Luca Barone, president of Missioni Don Bosco.

The celebration was also attended by other mission delegates and Salesians preparing to depart for their missions. They had come from around the world and were preparing to receive the missionary cross on October 17. Their presence highlighted the bond among those setting out on mission, those accompanying them, and those whose solidarity helps sustain their work.

Madagascar was the central theme of the gathering. The country faces significant social and economic challenges, yet it is also rich in communities, young people, and stories in which the Salesian presence continues to translate into education, hospitality, and opportunities every day.

Through photographs and testimonies from the trip, benefactors were able to connect with a reality that is geographically distant but brought closer through the missionaries’ concrete commitment and the support of the wider family that stands alongside them.

The gathering reaffirmed a deep sense of connection: benefactors are part of the mission because they make it possible for Salesian works to continue supporting young people and the most vulnerable communities.

This synergy unites those called to set out on mission with those who choose to support its journey, even from afar.