Rome (Italy). From 28 September to 5 October 2024, a group of FMA missionaries from different parts of the world, are in Italy to participate in the 26th Course of Ongoing Missionary Formation that will be held at the Pontifical Salesian University of Rome from 7 October to 8 November 2024. They lived a charismatic pause on the charismatic places, in the footsteps of Mother Mazzarello and Don Bosco.
The pilgrimage, animated by the Sisters of the Institute’s Missions Sector, began on Sunday 29 September in Turin, at the Basilica of Mary Help of Christians, with participation in the Eucharistic Celebration with the missionary mandate, presided by the Vicar of the Rector Major, Fr. Stefano Martoglio, with the presence of the Mother General, Sister Chiara Cazzuola, and the General Councilor for the Missions, Sister Ruth del Pilar Mora. The group then continued to Chieri, Colle Don Bosco (Castelnuovo Don Bosco), Nizza, and Mornese.
Throughout the days, the missionaries were able to experience the simplicity of the daily life of Mother Mazzarello and Don Bosco who, from small towns or villages, like Mornese and Becchi, were able to expand their horizons and their hearts to the ends of the world.
The missionaries highlighted the importance of remembering by pausing on these places, the charismatic history of the missionary origins, which allows them to reappropriate their cultural identity, belonging to a territory and a family fabric that formed the character of Don Bosco and Mother Mazzarello. At the same time, to transmit those values that accompany their lives, daily nourishing their desire to surrender themselves to God forever and in the mission ad gentes.
The participants expressed their gratitude for this significant charismatic missionary experience on the eve of the Triennium in preparation for the 150th anniversary of the First Missionary Expedition, which took place on 14 November 1877.
Returning to Rome on 5 October, in addition to frequenting the Course of Ongoing Missionary Formation at the UPS, they will have the opportunity to live moments of fraternity and conviviality with the Generalate Community, with Mother and the General Councilors of the Animation Sectors of the Institute and to know about some good practices of the ecclesial fabric of the Church of Rome and its surroundings.
