Castelnuovo Don Bosco, Italy - September 2022 - The Orientation Course for New Missionaries began on September 1 at Colle Don Bosco. There are 25 members of the 153rd Missionary Expedition, some of whom have yet to arrive due to delays in issuing Italian visas. During the opening Eucharist, Fr. Alfred Maravilla, General Counselor for Missions, emphasized that the course is intended primarily as an experience that helps deepen the missionary motivations of the participants and prepare the departing missionary for the initial challenges and culture shock upon arrival. "Let us open ourselves to receive and share our personal gift through group dynamics and fraternal life," urged Fr. Reginaldo Cordeiro, course coordinator. All members of the Missions Sector form the animation team. The course consists of 3 cores: the anthropological core, the missiological core and the charismatic core. From Colle Don Bosco, participants will visit Salesian holy places, then move to Mornese where a meeting with departing FMA missionaries is scheduled. The last three days will then be spent in Valdocco. The Orientation Course will conclude with the presentation of the missionary cross by the Rector Major, Fr. Ángel Fernández Artime, on Sept. 25 in the Basilica of Mary Help of Christians. FMA missionaries will also receive the missionary cross from Mother Chiara Cazzuola.