Sharing Identity, Projects, and Dreams

The two teams responsible for coordinating missionary animation and formation for the Congregation and the Institute shared their identity, ongoing projects, challenges, and hopes for the future.

Marco Fulgaro, Secretary of the Salesian Missions Sector, presented the four areas of intervention — formation, animation, solidarity, and new frontiers — highlighting key aspects of the Sector’s work and outlining several priorities for the coming years.

Renewing Missionary Discernment and Accompaniment

The Missions Sector is currently rethinking the entire process of discernment, formation, and accompaniment of ad gentes Salesian missionaries. This renewal includes the distribution of questionnaires at various levels — for missionaries, Provincial Delegates for Missionary Animation, Provincials, and the General Council.

Beginning next month, four continental meetings will be held for missionaries sent out over the past five years.

FMA Missionary Formation: Priorities and Pathways

Sr. Ruth del Pilar Mora presented the priority concerns of the FMA Missions Area, especially regarding the formation of missionaries. While following a different methodology, the approach shares similar charismatic traits.

In recent years, numerous formation themes have been addressed for ad gentes missionaries and for Provincial Coordinators of Missionary Animation through regularly scheduled online meetings. Specific formation for missionaries — particularly through the missionary pastoral course at the Salesian Pontifical University (UPS) — has been combined with experiences of charitable service as an initial step in inculturation and missionary evaluation.

Sr. Anna Maria Geuna, collaborator in the Missions Area, emphasized the importance of networking with national and international missionary organizations such as SEDOS (Service of Documentaion and Study on Global Mission), the Migrantes Foundation, Caritas, and the Pontifical Mission Societies.

A Shared Missionary Milestone

While the Salesian Missions Sector has recently begun its work under its new Councilor following the program guidelines of the 29th General Chapter (2025), the FMA Missions Area is preparing to conclude its mandate ahead of the 25th General Chapter next year.

Both journeys are united by a significant milestone: the 150th anniversary of the first missionary expeditions of 1875 and 1877.

Eucharistic Celebration and Remembrance

The meeting culminated in the celebration of the Eucharist on the feast of Saints Timothy and Titus. The strongly missionary character of the readings encouraged a deep sharing of the Word and strengthened communion among those present.

During the Mass, prayers were also offered for Marcelino, father of Fr. Reginaldo Cordeiro, SDB, a member of the Missions Sector currently serving in Brazil, who returned to the Father’s House on January 19.