Posted On: 09 November, 2025
Tirupattur (Tamil Nadu), 9 November 2025 – The Salesian Province of Chennai (INM) celebrated the Salesian Missionary Day 2025 at Don Bosco Aspirantate, Tirupattur, on 8 and 9 November, with the inspiring theme: “Salesian Missionary: A Sower Sowing the Seed of Love.” The event, which coincided with the 150th anniversary of the First Salesian Missionary Expedition (1875–2025), was a moment of renewal and enthusiasm for the missionary spirit among young Salesians and students.
The two-day celebration brought together around 300 participants from various Salesian institutions and formation houses across the province. The atmosphere was filled with missionary zeal, youthful energy, and a deep sense of gratitude to the pioneers who carried Don Bosco’s dream to distant lands.
The inaugural session began with a solemn opening ceremony in which Fr. Don Bosco Lourdusamy SDB, Provincial of INM, invited all participants to “embrace the missionary call with gratitude and joy.” In his message, he emphasised that every Salesian, wherever he is, must live the missionary dimension of the Salesian vocation—planting seeds of love, faith, and hope in the hearts of young people.
The INM Missionary Commission, under whose guidance the event was organised, took this opportunity to foster missionary generosity and encourage openness to the missions among the young confreres and students. A highlight of the first day was the Mission Rosary, animated by the Novices from Idaya Deepam Novitiate, Yelagiri, during which prayers were offered for the missionaries serving across the five continents.
The following day began with a solemn praise and worship and morning prayer led by Fr. Gandhi and the Holy Eucharist, presided over by Fr. John Alexander SDB, Vice-Provincial and Formation Delegate, who reflected on the rich missionary legacy of the Salesian Congregation. In his homily, he recalled the more than 480 missionaries who have come to India since 1906, sowing the seeds of faith and education in countless young lives. He urged the assembly to continue their legacy by responding generously to God’s call in today’s context.
A series of mission animation sessions followed, during which Fr. Augustine Sellam, Vice Provincial of TZA, Fr. Raymond from SLK, and Fr. Draviya Rupen (INT) shared their inspiring missionary experiences in Tanzania, Siberia, and Zambia. Their testimonies offered a vivid picture of Salesian missionary life—filled with challenges, yet rooted in the joy of serving young people and the poor.
In the afternoon, the participants were treated to a vibrant cultural program featuring performances by students and formees from various Salesian houses. The event also included the distribution of prizes to the winners of the Article Writing and Sketching Competitions on the theme “How I see a Salesian Missionary sowing seeds of love in today’s challenging world.”
The two-day celebration concluded with a heartfelt vote of thanks to the Don Bosco Aspirantate community for their warm hospitality and tireless efforts in organising the event. The Chennai province gratefully remembers Fr. John Alexander and the missionary group, especially the committee head Fr. Anto John Jagadish, Fr. Jesumanikam David, Fr. Santhana Arul Nicholas, Fr. Amalraj Aaservatham, and the entire missionary team who organized the event with meticulous planning and dedication. The gathering ended on a joyful note, with renewed missionary fervour echoing Don Bosco’s words: “The world is waiting for you.”
