World Feast of Gratitude 2025

Rome (Italy). The Vicar General of the Institute of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians, Sister María del Rosario García Ribas, reaches out to the Provincials, the Superiors of Preprovinces, and all the FMA and Educating Communities of the FMA Institute present in the five continents, to share the theme of Gratitude Day 2025, with indications for its preparation and implementation.

As already communicated, the Feast will be celebrated in the Vietnamese Province Mary Help of Christians (VTN), on 26 April 2025 and will have the theme:

Light the Gospel of hope

The motivation is expressed as follows:

“In the sacred climate of the Jubilee Year, which for us coincides with the beginning of preparations for the 150th anniversary of the first FMA missionary departure, we wish to live deeply the words of Saint Mary Mazzarello, “It is time to revive the fire”, the fire of the Gospel, of mission, of hope, and also the fire of gratitude. In this climate, illuminated by the Word of God, “Christ Jesus our hope” (1 Tim 1:1), we celebrate the Feast of Gratitude 2025”.

Some significant elements that comprise the logo of the Feast:

The Globe, the dark blue circle represents the Earth, the common home of humanity, in which people give and receive love and care.

The map of Vietnam, land where the seed of the Salesian charism was planted by the first missionaries and continues to grow.

The Bronze Drum is the sacred symbol of the culture, art, and national history, in harmony with the other cultures of the world.

The image of Mary Help of Christians stands out as the Mother of Hope. Her mantle is wide, full of maternal love, always open to accompany, love, protect, and support each of her children all over the world.

The Anchor and Cross: The Christian life can be firm only if it is anchored to Christ, source of hope. The Anchor and the Cross are an invitation for all to place their total trust in God and the commitment to spread the light of the Gospel.

The center of the logo is formed by Fire and the Young. Faithful to their vocation, accompanied by Mary and in communion with the Institute, each FMA becomes a “living monument of gratitude” with the enthusiasm of proclaiming Christ to all, especially to young people.

In preparation for the event, the Vietnamese Province proposes a four-week itinerary: Jesus Christ – source of hope; Pilgrims of hope; Witnesses of hope for the world; Light the Gospel of Hope.

In the Letter are also given indications on the “sign of hope” to be shared as Provinces/ Preprovinces, on the gesture of solidarity proposed by the VTN Province, on the program of the Feast.

In the meantime, the web page of Gratitude Day 2025 is being set up, where you can find the material for the journey of preparation, divided into four weeks, daily prayer, indications, and necessary information. In due course, the link will be available on the Institute’s website.

The Vicar ends her Letter by thanking Mary Help of Christians Province of Vietnam for their availability and the Provincials/Superiors of Preprovinces for their commitment in the preparation and her wishes that:

“The World Gratitude Day continues to strengthen our unity around Mother, making her feel our affection and gratitude as FMA and as educating communities.

This year’s Feast of Gratitude takes on a special color in anticipation of the canonization of Blessed Maria Troncatti. As Mother told us in her Circular 1046: “This is for all of us a time of special grace, a call to renew ourselves as an Institute to continue, with courage and joy, the path of holiness that God asks us to follow today.”

Letter of the Vicar General – Feast of Gratitude 2025