1. FirstMissionaryExpedition
Rome, 14 November 2017.
“Who knows if this departure and these few are like a seed from
which a great plant will grow? Who knows if it will be like the mustard
seed or a grain of millet, that gradually extends itself and will do great
good? Who knows if this departure has awakened in the hearts of many
the desire to consecrate themselves to God in the Missions, joining our
ranks and reinforcing our numbers? I hope so”. (Don Bosco – MB vol.
XI)
A dream: to leave, to go, to evangelize!
A date: 14 November 1877
A port: Genoa
A ship: the steamer Savoy
A goal: Montevideo – Uruguay
A presence looking to the future: Don Bosco and Mother Mazzarello.
A counsel: “Be like the huge shells of the fountain that receive water and pour it out on
everyone: that is, shells of virtue and of knowledge for the benefit of others” (Pius IX to the first
FMA missionaries).
A companion on the voyage: Mary Help of Christians... With Her, the smiling baby!
Be courageous Sisters: Sr. Angela Vallese (23 years), Sr. Giovanna Borgna (17 years), Sr. Angela
Cassulo (25 years), Sr. Teresa Gedda (24 years), Sr. Angela Denegri (17 years), Sr. Teresina
Mazzarello (17 years).
A time: other times! They left, to return no more.
In our time, a single time: Kairos! Time to give thanks, time to sing the Magnificat, time to
revive our presence on the five continents…time to live the fullness of the “da mihi animas cetera
tolle” and the task “I entrust them to you”.
One unique, eternal, and irreversible response: “Here I am. Send me!”
Dearest Sisters,
140 years separate us from that distant November 14, 1877.
Since that day – memorable for our history – the FMA Institute has always crossed the
oceans; has always lived in ‘out-reach’, has invigorated its missionary identity because throughout
time, many sisters have felt and accepted the call to the mission ad gentes.
We hope that in the next 140 years and in all those that Providence will grant to our Institute, we
can grow in holiness and missionary passion for the lives of a multitude of young people!
In Don Bosco and Mother Mazzarello, missionaries in heart and in fact, I wish you a Happy
Feast!
With affection and in communion of reciprocal prayer,
a strong sisterly embrace.
Councilor for the Missions
alaide@cgfma.org