(ANS – Rome) – One hundred and fifty years ago, a small group of young Salesians embarked on a journey that would change the history of the Congregation and the Church forever: the First Salesian Missionary Expedition, sent by Don Bosco on November 11, 1875 to South America. Those ten missionaries, with their hearts full of faith and their pockets empty, brought with them only the essentials: a cross, love for Christ, devotion to Mary Help of Christians and an ardent desire to “save the souls of the poorest and most abandoned young people.”

Don Bosco did not simply send men to another continent: he sent a way of life, a spirituality and a hope. On that historic night, he handed over to John Cagliero and his companions the spirit of Da mihi animas, cetera tolle: the same apostolic ardor that still moves thousands of lay, consecrated, and young people who make up the great Salesian Family scattered throughout the world.

Living memory of a dream

Celebrating the 150th anniversary of the First Missionary Expedition does not only mean remembering a historical fact, but making present a dream that continues to walk. Don Bosco’s dream was not just to found schools, oratories or missions; it was to form good Christians and upright citizens, to generate communities that were alive, joyful, supportive and profoundly evangelizing.

Each group of the Salesian Family – Salesians of Don Bosco, Daughters of Mary Help of Christians, Association of Mary Help of Christians, Salesian Cooperators, Past Pupils, Volunteers and many others – is heir to this missionary impulse. They all share the same passion: to bring Christ to the young, especially the most needy, and to transform the world with the power of educational love.

But commemoration must not only leave one nostalgic. It must also make one question. The question that resounds is inevitable: “What about the future?”

The future has a young face

The future of the Salesian mission will not only be geographical: it is not simply a matter of going to new places, but of entering new human, cultural and digital frontiers.

Today, young people are not only to be found in squares and oratories; they are present in social networks, in universities, in existential peripheries, in spaces where they seek meaning, listening, and hope.

Being a Salesian missionary today means being present where the young person is, with the heart of Don Bosco and the tenderness of Mary Help of Christians. It means being a witness of joy, welcome, and mercy. It is living an incarnated spirituality, Eucharistic and close, which translates into service and friendship. As Don Bosco used to say: “It is enough that you are young for me to love you.”

The challenge of communion and shared responsibility

Today’s Salesian Family is vast and varied: 34 groups, thousands of members spread all over the world. This richness is also an invitation to live unity in diversity, to renew that family spirit that was born in Valdocco. Don Bosco did not dream of an isolated Congregation, but of a family on the move, where every vocation has its place and every gift contributes to the common mission.

The future will be fruitful if consecrated and lay, young and old, continue to walk together, united in the same apostolic passion. Shared responsibility in mission is the new name for charismatic fidelity.

With Mary, towards the new Valdocco

As in 1875, Mary Help of Christians is leading this adventure today. “It is she who has done everything,” said Don Bosco, and it is she who still guides every missionary step of the Salesian Family. Today, the Salesian Family is invited to begin again with Mary, to allow itself to be led by her towards a new Valdocco, where every Salesian house becomes a space of faith, joy, and hope, especially for those most in need. After 150 years, the Salesian Family centers continue to be a House that welcomes, a Church that evangelizes, a Playground for making friends and a School that educates to life.

A mission that does not end

Celebrating the 150th anniversary of the First Missionary Expedition means reaffirming that the Salesian mission has no end, because it comes from the Heart of Christ. The same Spirit that inspired Don Bosco continues to push his sons and daughters to go out, to listen, to serve, and to love.

The future?

The future of the Salesian mission will be as great as the ability to dream with God and to walk together with young people. And, as Don Bosco would say, with faith and joy it is appropriate to repeat, “The Lord is waiting for us in the future. And with Mary, let us go forward!”

Fr. Renato dos Santos, SDB