Shillong, 13 November 2025: Salesian communities across the Province of St. John Paul II, Shillong joined the worldwide Salesian Family in celebrating the 150th Anniversary of the First Salesian Missionary Expedition, a landmark event that traces back to November 11, 1875, when Don Bosco sent the first group of missionaries from Valdocco, Turin, to Argentina.
In his circular message for November, Fr. John Zosiama, SDB, Provincial, invited every community to commemorate this day with prayer and thanksgiving:
“Let us give thanks to the Lord for all our missionaries and rekindle in our hearts the missionary zeal and enthusiasm that continue to inspire our Salesian vocation.”
Communities throughout the Province responded wholeheartedly, organizing special Masses, prayer services, reflections, and cultural programs that brought to life the missionary spirit of Don Bosco and his first companions.
At Don Bosco Technical School (DBTS) Shillong, the Salesian Mission Day celebration marked the 150th anniversary with prayer, song, and reflection.
The day began with a solemn morning Mass, setting a reverent tone for the remembrance of this historic milestone. In the evening, the community gathered again for a Rosary service dedicated to missionaries worldwide, expressing solidarity and spiritual support for all Salesian missions.
A special animation session led by Fr. Felix Dkhar, Vice Rector, brought together the fathers and brothers in reflection and community unity. The celebration opened with the hymn “We Are One in the Spirit,” symbolizing unity with missionaries across the globe.
In Mawpdang, the community celebrated the sesquicentennial jubilee with a solemn Eucharist and prayers of thanksgiving.
At Don Bosco Siaha, Fr. Reuben animated the morning meditation and celebrated Mass with the Sisters and hostel girls, emphasizing Don Bosco’s missionary spirit and the call to bring Christ to the young.
The Mandwi Community held a vibrant commemoration attended by parishioners, dignitaries, and youth. The day featured prayers, reflections, and cultural performances that honored the legacy of the Salesian pioneers who transformed lives through education and faith.
In Patharkandi, Fr. Albaster, Parish Priest, led the celebration while supervising the final stages of the new parish residence — a fitting symbol of continuing growth and mission as the parish prepares for its official opening on 26 January 2025.
Don Bosco School Thenzawl celebrated the day in both the community and school settings under the theme “To Thank, To Rethink, and To Relaunch.” The students and staff renewed their missionary commitment through prayers and creative activities.
At Nandannagar, two veteran missionaries, Fr. Isaac and Fr. P. J. Joseph (ING), shared moving reflections on their missionary journeys. Their stories inspired gratitude and admiration for the missionary vocation that continues to animate Salesians today.
The Nongthymmai Community held an evening prayer service and a morning parish Mass with the faithful, while the Rilang community celebrated with a joyful Eucharist for children, nurturing missionary awareness among the young.
In Mary Mother of the Church Parish, Rangblang, Fr. Edmund Lakra celebrated a special Holy Mass attended by priests, Sisters, hostellers, and parishioners. His homily reflected on the lives of remarkable missionaries he had known personally and invited everyone to embrace the missionary call. The evening concluded with a Rosary and Eucharistic Adoration, during which the faithful prayed for missionaries by name, both living and deceased — a deeply moving act of gratitude and remembrance.
At Khliehriat, the community, along with hostel boys, held a special prayer service to commemorate the milestone, expressing thanks for the missionary spirit that continues to guide the Salesian mission.
At the Don Bosco Youth Centre, Shillong, Fr. Michael Makri, Director, animated the hostel boys with a narration of the historic first expedition, even re-creating Don Bosco’s emotional homily before the missionaries’ departure. In the evening, Fr. Ritonbor Kharkongor, Assistant Director, led an hour of animation and prayer for missionaries worldwide.
Across the Province, the celebration of the 150th Anniversary of the First Missionary Expedition was a moment of deep gratitude, inspiration, and renewal. Communities united in thanksgiving for the courage of Don Bosco’s first ten missionaries and for the countless Salesians who have since followed in their footsteps, bringing hope, education, and faith to youth around the world.
In his closing message, Fr. Provincial John Zosiama expressed heartfelt appreciation for every community that participated in the celebration:
“Thank you for the reports from various communities about the celebrations of this milestone. Let us continue to encourage one another and pray for more missionary vocations.”
As the Salesian Family marks this sesquicentennial year, the same missionary flame that once set sail from Valdocco continues to burn brightly — a beacon of faith, service, and youthful zeal, calling every Salesian to go forth and bring the light of Christ to the ends of the earth.
Reported by INS Correspondent
