(ANS - Turin) - It was 11 November 1875 when Don Bosco blessed the first Salesian missionaries, led by Fr Giovanni Cagliero, with Patagonia as their destination. From Argentina, the Spiritual Sons of Don Bosco expanded to the most northern states of Latin America, where they are still an important presence in the missions in the Amazon. And today, the Rector Major confirms and re-launches the Salesian efforts towards the education of the native youth "so that they serve their people and do not abandon it".

(ANS - Vienna) - Fr Tom Uzhunnalil, the Indian Salesian missionary kidnapped in Yemen by a militia command in March 2016 and released after 18 months, has been visiting Austria in recent weeks, bringing his testimony to the Salesian parish in Stadlau, in Vienna, in the "Don Bosco" schools of Unterwaltersdorf, at the "Salesianum" in Vienna and at the "Don Bosco" schools in Vöcklabruck - where he was also welcomed with joy by Msgr. Ludwig Schwarz, Salesian, bishop emeritus of Linz and former National Director of the Pontifical Mission Societies in Austria. At the end of this tour, and because of the Extraordinary Mission Month, Fr Tom spoke about the meaning of the mission.

(ANS - Quito) - In the Salesian Constitutions it is specified that the option of every Salesian religious is to be with the poorest. This is what Fr Jaime Chela did with the indigenous peoples, whom he got to know closely when he served his pastoral service for several years in the Salesian missions at what were high altitudes. His work was to accompany them and give them a message of encouragement, according to the Gospel, in and through this social and political crisis that the country is experiencing.