Repeating what Don Bosco did on 11 November 1875 with the first missionaries going to Patagonia, the Rector Major, Fr Ángel Fernández Artime, will deliver their mandate to the departing missionary during the Mass at which he will preside in the Basilica of Mary Help of Christians. A total of 35 missionaries will receive the Missionary Cross. They will include the Salesians who attended the orientation course in Rome and in the Salesian places, and also Daughters of Mary Help of Christians.
The celebration will begin at 12.00 noon Italian time (GMT + 2) and can be seen in streaming on the website of the Congregation.
As has now become traditional, the Harambee will take place, starting in Turin on Saturday, the day before the expedition. Harambee is a Swahili word meaning "meeting and festive gathering". It is organized by the Italian Salesian Mission Animation Team, in collaboration with VIS (the International Voluntary Service for Development).
This year young people from all over Italy, and in particular those who have had an experience in the Salesian missions during the summer months, will gather in Turin-Valdocco in the spirit of simplicity, to offer a testimony of faith, friendship and commitment and to share the missionary zeal of Don Bosco and his love for marginalized youth in poor countries. On Saturday afternoon the Rector Major will meet the young people taking part in Harambee.
Overall the various events in Turin this weekend include a meeting in the Salesian places of the Provincials who have completed three years in their service of leadership and government of their respective Provinces. The meeting will include reflection, evaluation and formation for Provincials who have reached the halfway mark of their six-year mandate.
This meeting is scheduled to last from today 23 September to Thursday 29 September. The Rector Major, and his Vicar, Fr Francesco Cereda will both be present.
