The Salesian Congregation of Don Bosco marks the 150th anniversary of its global missionary work with a solemn Mass in Myanmar’s Mandalay Archdiocese on October 31, 2025, reinforcing its decades-long commitment to educating and empowering the nation’s youth.

The jubilee Mass, held at the Hall of Mary Help of Christians in the Nazareth Seminary compound in Anisakan, was a significant gathering of the local Catholic community. It was presided over by His Eminence Cardinal Charles Bo, SDB, Archbishop of Yangon, and attended by Archbishop Marco Tin Win of Mandalay Archdiocese, alongside several bishops, priests, sisters, and lay faithful.

In his homily, Cardinal Bo issued a powerful call to service, urging the congregation to remain faithful to its founding mission of caring for society’s most vulnerable. “The seed that begins in humility is meant to become a great tree,” he proclaimed, emphasizing the importance of unity among missionaries.

He outlined a clear path for their work: “Care for the sick, prioritize the youth, look after the elderly, and care for the poor, and you will experience the grace of God.” Cardinal Bo also appealed for harmony within the religious community, advising all to “avoid speaking ill of one another.”

The celebration highlighted the Salesians’ deep roots in Myanmar, where they have been present for 86 years. The congregation now boasts 68 priests and over 40 sisters operating across several dioceses, including Yangon, Mandalay, Myitkyina, Kalay, and Lashio.

Archbishop Marco Tin Win expressed gratitude for their enduring service. “Happy Feast Day to all the Salesian Priests, Nuns, and Seminarians doing missionary work throughout Myanmar! We are truly grateful for the many sacred years of dedication you have given,” he stated.

The core of the Salesian mission in Myanmar, as explained by Fr. Edward Sein Myint, SDB, is a practical focus on at-risk youth. “According to the original goal of Don Bosco, we especially take in young people who are on the wrong path, those who cannot continue their education due to hardship, and those experiencing various difficulties,” Fr. Sein Myint said.

He detailed their approach, which includes teaching vocational skills like carpentry and other industrial trades to provide tangible hope and opportunity. Despite the challenges, Fr. Sein Myint expressed optimism for the future, hoping for an increase in vocations and that graduates would become “responsible adults who can be relied upon for the country, society, and the Church.”

His final message to the youth was one of steadfast faith: “Never lose faith in God. Walk with God and have hope.”

The event, which also drew Bishop Emeritus Philip Lasap Za Hawng and Bishop Lucas Jeimphaung Dau Ze of Lashio Diocese, served as a testament to the widespread respect for the Salesians’ contributions to both the Church and civil society in Myanmar.

By RVA Myanmar Service