PHOTO ARCHIVES
Piura, Peru - 1906 - On February 19, 1906, the first religious of the Salesian Congregation arrived in the Peruvian city of Piura. That was a year of organization, in which all the necessary equipment was acquired, including a modest chapel; the first school year began and the school band was also started. In the years immediately following, carpentry, shoe-making and tailoring workshops were opened. For 115 years, the Salesians in Piura have offered an education rich in Christian values, always at the service of the formation of "good Christians and upright citizens".
Macao - 1906 - Requested with insistence by the bishop of Macao, six Salesians arrived in China in 1906, led by Fr Luigi Versiglia. They landed in Hong Kong on February 13, 1906, after 26 days at sea. From Hong Kong they then came to Macao, from where Fr Versiglia wrote to Fr Rua: "It is with a heart overflowing with gratitude towards our good God, that I give you the happy news of our arrival".
Bogotà, Colombia - 1932 - This is how the printing workshop of the Salesian “León XIII” boarding school looked like in 1932. In the image, currently preserved in the provincial historic center of Bogotà, some students can be seen working in the machine section.
Japan - 1926 - Yesterday, 8 February, the Salesian Family of Japan commemorated the arrival of the first missionaries. Ninety-five years ago, in fact, the first group of Salesian missionaries, led by Fr Vincenzo Cimatti, after 40 days of travelling by ship, arrived from Genoa to Japan. In conditions of extreme poverty and with many difficulties, they began missionary activity in Miyazaki, always with joy and enthusiasm, for the salvation of souls.