By the Missions Sector

Nice, France, 08 Feb 2025 -- On February 6, 2025, at Don Bosco Institute in Nice, France, Fr. Alfred Maravilla, the General Councillor for Missions, gave a conference celebrating the 150th anniversary of the arrival of the first Salesians in Nice. During this event, he presented a new painting titled "The Fruits of the Salesian Missions," commissioned to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the first Salesian Missionary expedition on November 11, 1875. The artwork was created by Argentine artist Juan Manuel Jaimes, who also created the official painting for the canonization of St. Artemides Zatti.

The artist interpreted Fr Maravilla's wish to present young saints who have achieved holiness thanks to the Salesian spirituality received from the missionaries:

Simão Bororo was deeply rooted in his Indigenous culture. As a young catechist, he wanted his people to know and love Jesus as he had known and loved them.

- Blessed Laura Vicuna was deeply in love with Jesus and wanted her mother to experience the joy and peace of friendship with Jesus.

- Blessed Ceferino Namuncurá, was deeply rooted in his Indigenous culture and wished deeply to be useful to his own people by sharing with them the Gospel as a Salesian;

- Akash Bashir, a Salesian past pupil in Pakistan, proved his love for Jesus by giving his life to prevent a Muslim fundamentalist from blowing up the Catholic community celebrating Sunday Mass.

The painting portrays how all four youth were deeply connected to their culture and strongly attached to their Catholic faith. They became saints by living out their ordinary daily lives as committed Catholics, embodying joy, commitment, and love in accordance with the Salesian youth spirituality handed on to them by Salesian missionaries.

The original painting is now in the office of the General Councillor for the Missions in Rome. The poster will be printed and sent to all Salesian houses and can also be downloaded at https://tinyurl.com/3cab48ny

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