Turin, Italy – September 2024 – The Sending Mass for the 155th Salesian Missionary Expedition was celebrated on Sunday 29 September, presided over by the Vicar of the Rector Major, Fr Stefano Martoglio. As per tradition, the Eucharist was celebrated in the Basilica of Mary Help of Christians in Valdocco, Turin, the same place where on 11 November 1875 Don Bosco himself addressed his farewell and missionary recommendations to the first ones departing led by Fr John Cagliero. The Missionary Cross was received by 27 Salesians in this 155th Expedition, together with some Daughters of Mary Help of Christians from the 147th FMA missionary expedition and various lay volunteers from the Community of the Mission of Don Bosco (CMB).

Pope Francis is making his 45th Apostolic Journey from 2 to 13 September, the longest of his pontificate, between Asia and Oceania. After his first days in Indonesia, the largest Islamic country in the world, the Pontiff made a stop in Papua New Guinea, welcomed at the Shrine of Mary Help of Christians in Boroko, where he meets with the Bishops of Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands, priests, deacons, consecrated persons, seminarians and catechists. On 9 September, a flight of about three and a half hours took Pope Francis to  Timor-Leste, a Southeast Asian island with a Catholic majority. The last stop, then, is in Singapore, before returning to Rome.

Fatima, Portugal - 29 August - 1 September 2024 - The 9th International Congress of Mary Help of Christians took place in Fatima, Portugal, in an atmosphere of joy and enthusiasm. The congress, held every four years, brought together members of the Salesian Family from various parts of the world and  was a unique occasion for celebration and reflection on the Salesian mission and devotion to Mary Help of Christians, Mother and Teacher of the Salesians. The entire Congress was held under the theme: ‘I will give you the Teacher’, a clear reference to the Dream at nine years of age, whose Bicentenary the Salesian Family is celebrating this year.