(ANS – New Rochelle) – While missionaries from the 143rf Salesian Missionary Expedition are receiving the missionary cross from the hands of the Rector Major, in the US, 22 young volunteers belong to the “Salesian Lay Missioners” and “Salesian Domestic Volunteers” programs have already arrived at their mission destinations.

They received their mission mandate  during a celebration at the Don Bosco  Retreat Centre West Haverstraw. Of the 22, 18 took part in the “Salesian Lay Missioners” (SLM) program while 4 were part of the “Salesian Domestic Volunteers” (SDV) program. By now they have all arrived at their destination, the last of them last weekend, 22-23 September.

Salesian Bishop of Ghent, Belgium, Bishop Luc Van Looy, presided at the send-off Mass, along with Fr Thomas Dunne, Provincial of the East U.S. Province (SUE), and also present were Adam Rudin, Director of SLM, and Megan Fraino, Director of the SDV.

The Mass was the culmination of the orientation course which lasted for three weeks. The preparation involved intercultural sessions, and introduction to Don Bosco and the Salesian charism, practical experience over the summer period at Port Chester, some neccesary explanations concerning the trip overseas and a six day retreat.

Bishop Van Looy, who preached a retreat to some 40 Salesians, was also involved in this preparation, offering a basic contribution. 

Volunteers from the SLM programme were: 15 young women and 3 young men; 9 went to Bolivia, 5 to South Sudan, 3 to Ethiopia and 1 to Cambodia.

From the SDV programme there were 2 young men and 2 young women. They went to Salesian destinations in Chicago; North Haledon and South Orange; Takoma Park; and Westwego and Harvey.

Published 28/09/2012