(ANS – Castelnuovo Don Bosco – September 29, 2026) – From September 19–25, 2026, against the historic backdrop of Colle Don Bosco, the new missionaries continued their journey of spiritual and personal maturation, an essential part of their preparation for being sent ad gentes.

The journey of a missionary setting out for the mission ad gentes, ad exteros, and ad vitam requires far more than initial enthusiasm. It calls for detachment from oneself, the cultivation of a reverent outlook, and the courage to put down deep roots before sowing seeds in new lands.

With this goal in mind, the members of the 157th Salesian Missionary Expedition experienced one of the most intense stages of the “Corso Germoglio,” traveling from Rome to the sacred grounds of Colle Don Bosco in Castelnuovo Don Bosco.

During this week, the course went beyond being merely a study program and became a true laboratory of life, where cultural diversity and theological depth paved the way toward the final missionary sending.

Identity and Otherness: The Challenge of Cultural Encounter

The week began with reflections on the anthropological and cultural dimension, led by Fr. Pavel Ženíšek, SDB. The sessions challenged the participants to engage in a sincere exercise of self-knowledge. Each missionary was invited to reflect on his own culture of origin, recognizing its riches, but also those aspects that need to be refined by the Gospel.

This immersion in one’s own identity served as a springboard for intercultural dialogue. Through reflections on social, political, and ecclesial realities, the missionaries came to understand that both inculturation and interculturalism are not merely strategies for adaptation; they are acts of love centered on the sacrament of presence.

Justice and Charity Go Hand in Hand: Missionary Solidarity

On Tuesday, Fr. Eric Mairura, SDB, led the group in an in-depth analysis of the social dimension of mission, addressing the theme of missionary solidarity through project management and economics.

The participants came to realize that evangelization and human promotion are two sides of the same coin. The prudent use of resources and the organization of social projects are not merely bureaucratic tasks, but concrete tools for restoring dignity to the most vulnerable and bearing witness to the Kingdom of God in practice.

Kerygmatic Proclamation: Theology Rooted in the Word

The theological-missiological module then provided the doctrinal depth necessary to support pastoral action. Fr. Reginaldo Cordeiro, SDB, guided the missionaries through the biblical foundations of mission, linking the Old Testament covenant to Jesus’ imperative mandate in the New Testament.

Fr. Eric then explored the concept of the First Proclamation in greater depth. In a world undergoing constant change, the Salesian missionary is called to rediscover the urgency of proclaiming the essence of the Gospel: God’s unconditional love that liberates and saves.

This theological foundation helps prevent the risk of reducing mission to mere activism, ensuring that Salesian action always brings greater hope.

The Roots of the Magisterium: The Relevance of Maximum Illud

On September 25, the formation program had a strong ecclesial resonance. Under the guidance of Fr. Reginaldo, the missionaries immersed themselves in the study and analysis of Pope Benedict XV’s Apostolic Letter Maximum Illud.

The study of this historic document—regarded as the Magna Carta of modern missions—was fundamental in helping the group understand the development of the Church’s missiological thought.

This immersion in the Church’s Magisterium broadened the horizons of the future missionaries, linking the Salesian charism to the great missionary mandate of the universal Church.

Fraternity at the Table: Fellowship and Flavors of the World

However, formation during the “Corso Germoglio” extends beyond the classroom and comes to life in everyday experiences.

One of the most significant moments of the week was the family-style lunches during which the new missionaries integrated into the Salesian community at Colle Don Bosco. The shared table became a sacred space for listening, where veteran Salesians passed on the wisdom gained from years of dedication to the charism, while the young missionaries brought the enthusiasm of those beginning their journey.

This exchange between generations and experiences strengthens the ecclesial sense and the esprit de corps that will sustain the young missionaries in distant lands.

While lunches celebrated hospitality and Salesian tradition, dinner at Casa Zatti opened a window onto global diversity. In a creative and communal initiative, Fr. Pavel took charge of the kitchen and prepared traditional dishes from various countries.

Each recipe served transformed dinner into a true transcontinental journey, allowing the group to savor and gain a deeper understanding of the cultural identity, flavors, and histories of the countries represented on the expedition. Eating together thus became an educational celebration of interculturalism.

A Living Church Expressed Through Fraternity

Over the course of these days, Colle Don Bosco was transformed into a visible Pentecost. The young Salesians, hailing from diverse backgrounds—including Chile, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, Ghana, Brazil, India, Korea, Madagascar, East Timor, and Vietnam—discovered that the only language that needs no translation is fraternity.

The Salesian “Good Night” session also became one of the greatest sources of joy during the week. As the missionaries listened to the vivid accounts of one another’s vocational journeys, they rediscovered that every vocation is strengthened by the witness of others.

The seedling of the missionary vocation, carefully nurtured during this week of immersion, is therefore sinking its roots deeply into the soil of Don Bosco. The new missionaries are experiencing a time of great intensity, and the seed of the Salesian charism is about to be sown in new horizons.

Henrique G. Belmello, SDB
157th Salesian Missionary Expedition – 2026