The day opened with a solemn Holy Mass, enriched with hymns and reflections on the missionaries’ unwavering commitment to young people across more than 137 countries. The prayers echoed gratitude for generations of Salesians who carried the founder’s spirit across continents, establishing schools, orphanages, and vibrant communities with tireless dedication.

The programme continued with Eucharistic Adoration and the Rosary, offered in remembrance of missionaries who sacrificed their lives in service. Cleric Presley and Cleric Melton, community assistants, delivered engaging presentations that traced the roots and expansion of the Salesian mission.

Cleric Presley recounted the first expedition of 1875, highlighting the courage, faith, and perseverance required to cross oceans and cultural boundaries. He illustrated how those early missionaries sowed the seeds of what would become a global Salesian family, fulfilling Don Bosco’s dream despite the uncertainties of 19th-century travel.

Shifting focus to India, Cleric Melton reflected on the arrival of the first Salesians in Mumbai on January 6, 1906, under the leadership of Fr George Tomatis. He detailed their pioneering work in Tanjore and Mylapore, where they established schools and orphanages for underprivileged children, before expanding the mission northward to Assam and other regions. He underscored the lasting influence of the Salesian preventive system — founded on reason, religion, and loving kindness — which continues to shape the lives of young people nationwide.

Using maps, timelines, and inspiring narratives, the sessions captivated 55 aspirants and Salesians. More than a historic observance, the day became an invitation to rekindle Don Bosco’s charism with renewed missionary enthusiasm, linking the legacy of the past with the mission of the present.

The celebration concluded on a note of contemplative resolve, echoing Don Bosco’s timeless motto, Da mihi animas, cetera tolle — “Give me souls, take away the rest.” As the final hymn faded, a profound sense of mission and spiritual commitment lingered, reaffirming the enduring global impact of the Salesian congregation.