Salesians in 2025: Pilgrims of Hope

By Provincial Fr. Dominic Tran, SDB

Pope Francis has chosen “pilgrims of hope” as the theme for the Jubilee Year 2025.

The theological virtue of hope is foundational in our Salesian spirituality and identity. Thus, the anchor is on the coats of arms of both the SDBs and FMAs.

Hope is also foundational in our mission to young people. Our founder Don Bosco saw young people as “that part of human society so full of promises.”

In the document entitled Spes Non Confundit (“Hope Does Not Disappoint,” known as the Bull of Indiction of the Jubilee Year), the Holy Father lists various “signs of hope.” One of these signs is young people, whom the Pope describes as “the very embodiment of hope” (Paragraph #12).

During this particular Jubilee Year of Hope, we also mark the 150th anniversary of the sending of the first group of Salesian missionaries to Argentina. May this celebration remind, deepen, and reinvigorate in us Christian missionary zeal. In Christ alone is “our hope” (1 Tim. 1:1, quoted by Pope Francis, Spes Non Confundit, #1). And since “in his name the nations will hope” (Matthew 12:21), let us strive to bring young people and all nations to Christ.