What is it really like to work with some of the most impoverished youth and families around the world? What are the challenges, rewards, heartbreaks and successes? For eight weeks beginning in June, you can hear directly from some of our Salesian missionaries stationed across India, Central America, Africa, the Philippines and more — as part of our annual Missionary Cooperative Program.

“We first instituted this program because nothing can replace ‘the real deal’,” says Father Mark Hyde, director of Salesian Missions. “The ability of our missionaries to come to the United States, and share their personal and inspiring stories directly with parishioners, is truly priceless. There is something that just resonates in a first-hand account from a missionary in the field.”

This year, participating parishes across the United States will host more than a dozen Salesian missionaries — and we invite you to join them.

You may check a complete list of parishes hosting Salesian missionaries this June through August here. Should there be one near where you live, we encourage you to visit and learn how our missionaries are offering comfort, new hope and pathways out of poverty for some of our most vulnerable fellow humans.

In doing so, you may hear from Fr. Amalorpavaraj (Fr. “Amal”) of India, who works tirelessly on behalf of homeless youth, child laborers, victims of abuse and trafficking, and other at-risk and marginalized girls and boys. Or, you may learn about Fr. Zamberlan’s efforts on behalf of HIV/AIDS orphans in Tanzania — and of the resilience these children demonstrate when their basic needs are met in a caring home environment. For more information on Fr. Amal, Fr. Zamberlan and our other visiting missionaries, you can read their biographies here.

Of course, Fr. Amal’s and Fr. Zamberlan’s work — and the work of all of our missionaries in more than 130 countries around the world — is only possible with the caring compassion of our friends here at home. Their stories demonstrate the power of your support — and show how your generosity is making a very real and tangible difference in the lives of children and families in need.

We hope you will take advantage of this opportunity to be inspired: www.SalesianMissions.org/MCP