In preparation for the upcoming global celebrations marking 150 years since the first Salesian missionary expeditions – those of the Salesians of Don Bosco (2025) and the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians (2027) – the South Asia chapter of the Associazione Cultori Storia Salesiana (ACSSA) hosted a regional seminar from 27 to 29 June 2025. The event took place at the Salesian Provincial House in Bangalore.
The seminar opened with a warm welcome from Fr Sebastian Kudackat, SDB, Rector of the Provincial House, to 40 participants representing various provinces across South Asia. Among the distinguished attendees were the FMA Provincials of Chennai and Mumbai, Fr Stanislaw Zimniak, SDB (ACSSA Secretary), and Fr Thomas Anchukandam, SDB (Director of the Salesian Institute of History [ISS], Rome).
The seminar was officially inaugurated by Fr Jose Koyickal, SDB and Sr Lucy Rose Ozhukayil, FMA – SDB and FMA Provincials of Bangalore respectively. Keynote messages were delivered by Fr Anchukandam and Fr Zimniak, and supplemented by special video and voice messages from global Salesian leaders: Rector Major Fr Fabio Attard, Mother General Sr Chiara Cazzuola, South Asia Regional Councillor Fr Biju Pulianmackal SDB, and ACSSA President Sr Maria Maul FMA.
Over the three days, the seminar featured a series of dynamic 35-minute presentations, each moderated by appointed facilitators. A total of 20 Salesians (SDB) and Daughters of Mary Help of Christians (FMA) presented scholarly papers and reflections on the central theme: “Salesian Missions in the World”, with a special emphasis on “Evangelization Efforts in South Asia.”
Papers were circulated in advance to encourage engagement, and many presentations made use of multimedia elements. Some contributors joined remotely via Google Meet, reflecting the seminar’s hybrid format. This enriching gathering provided a crucial platform for exploring, documenting, and reflecting on the historical, cultural, and spiritual legacy of Salesian missionary work in South Asia – while also situating these efforts within the broader context of the global Salesian mission.
Dr (Sr) Penny Rose Chinir, FMA