(ANS – Rome – November 2, 2026) – On October 29, 2026, at 7 p.m. Rome time, the Advisory Team of Salesian Missionary Volunteers (SMV) officially presented Best Practices for Salesian Communities Hosting Volunteers, a new practical resource designed to improve the preparation, reception, integration, and support of missionary volunteers in Salesian communities around the world.
The online event, held in English, brought together approximately 100 participants from various parts of the Salesian world, with simultaneous translation into Spanish and Italian. Three members of the General Council participated in the presentation: Father Silvio Roggia, General Councillor for Formation; Father Jorge Mario Crisafulli, General Councillor for the Missions; and Father Rafael Bejarano, General Councillor for Youth Ministry.
Developed following extensive consultation with volunteers, coordinators, and host communities, the document reflects the collective experiences of those involved in Salesian Missionary Volunteering. Organized into ten sections and two appendices, it provides a practical guide covering the volunteer’s entire journey, from preparation and arrival to integration into the community, spiritual formation, safeguarding, evaluation, and departure.
A Shared Journey of Formation and Mission
Father Roggia emphasized that missionary volunteering is not simply an individual experience but a shared journey of formation. Volunteers and Salesian communities learn from one another through intercultural encounters, meaningful relationships, and shared responsibility for the mission.
He highlighted the importance of intentional preparation, particularly the role of volunteer coordinators and mentors in local communities in ensuring that challenges become opportunities for personal and community growth.
Drawing on his missionary experience in Africa, Father Crisafulli reflected on the significant contribution volunteers make to the Salesian mission. He emphasized that their greatest contribution does not necessarily lie in the activities they carry out, but in their willingness to be present, listen, learn, and share life with the people they serve.
Father Rafael Bejarano reminded participants that missionary volunteering must never be reduced to a form of labor. Volunteers should be meaningfully integrated into the local Salesian Educative and Pastoral Plan (SEPP), receiving guidance that supports their human, spiritual, and vocational development.
Enhancing the Quality of Volunteering Experiences
During the discussion, the General Councillors emphasized the responsibility of Salesian communities to provide safe, welcoming, and supportive environments. Thorough preparation, attention to safeguarding, ongoing support, and appropriate integration are essential to ensuring meaningful volunteering experiences.
The new document will serve as a practical guide and checklist, helping communities assess their readiness to welcome volunteers and strengthen their commitment to the Salesian Preventive System.
A Look to the Future
Over the coming month, the SMV Advisory Team will coordinate translations and develop an animation plan to support the implementation of the document throughout the Congregation. Preparations are also underway for the Second World Meeting of Salesian Missionary Volunteers in 2027, which will focus on volunteer coordinators.
The launch reaffirmed that Salesian Missionary Volunteering is more than an opportunity for service. It is a transformative experience in which volunteers and communities grow together in faith, solidarity, and commitment to Don Bosco’s mission among young people, especially those most in need.
The video is available on the Missions Sector’s YouTube channel at the following link: