By Jack Schneider ’26
The Puerto Rico mission group. Center: Fr Abraham Feliciano. From left to right: Parker DelSasso ‘26, Quentin Hubner ‘26, Jack Schreiber ‘26, Torrance “Tank” Daniels, Aidan Ginolfi ‘26, Cristan Uykan ‘26, Hudson McAlear ‘26, a served individual, Julian Arbizu ‘26, Julius Viray ‘26, Kevin Joseph ‘26, Vincent Rodriguez ‘26, Peter Ritiu ‘26, Thomas Collins ‘26, Daniel Lopez ‘26, Cordel “Cody” High, Francis Tan ‘26, Ms. Elizabeth Hampson, and Marco Belluzi ‘26.
Over the Winter Break, a group of fifteen students and four chaperones embarked on a Mission Trip to Puerto Rico. Sacrificing their phones and subsequently their connection to the outside world, the fifteen DBP students shared meaningful experiences through service, prayer, the Sacraments, and reflections.
On the first day of the trip, the missionaries experienced Puerto Rico in full force, soaking up the Puerto Rican sun at the beach, meeting locals, and sharing an authentic Puerto Rican meal.
After their day of rest, the work began. The first day introduced a great deal of yardwork for the team, including weeding, mowing the lawn, moving barrels of sand, and more.
The group works on an extensive weeding project.
On the second day, the team broke out their paintbrushes and rollers to fully repaint and renovate a local’s home and property. Several teams were made in order to complete the work. The group also did battle with a pesky hive of wasps, and their victory against them compelled the team to meaningful bonding.
Thomas Collins ‘26 paints a wall.
The third day meant a very different kind of service for the missionaries. For the first time in the history of the Senior Mission trip, the missionaries did work at the retreat compound where they stayed for the week. This included renovating the basketball court, power washing the walls and walkways, collecting trash, and scrubbing dirt off of the paths. After a beautiful adoration encounter later that day in the local chapel, the group completed spiritual service by leading the local community in an Ash Wednesday Mass. Students served as lectors (flexing their AP Spanish muscles), greeted the parishioners, and presented the blessed Sacrament as Eucharistic Ministers. This celebration marked the first Ash Wednesday for the community in several years. Both figuratively and literally, the missionaries were embraced by the community’s laughter, music, and sweet treats.
The group prepares to serve a Mass for the community in Puerto Rico.
On the fourth day, the group journeyed to Old San Juan. Visiting a Salesian school, the DBP missionaries were given a tour and even competed in a basketball game against the local students. The contents of that game will not be shared, for fear of embarrassing our Bosco brothers. They also visited Castillo San Felipe del Morro, taking in beautiful views and fascinating history. After some shopping, the group joined together for yet another delicious meal.
Many team members at Castillo San Felipe del Morro.
The fifth day meant the final day of work for the team, where the Seniors finished the projects they had started at the Salesian retreat center and even started new ones. The group joined for one final and emotional reflection.
Marco Belluzi ‘26 power washes a pathway at the retreat center.
On behalf of the entire group, thank you to the Puerto Rican communities that helped us! Whether it was the clergy who ran the Retreat center or the locals who offered food and supplies, we all felt welcomed and loved. Our group hopes to bring the love and support we felt home to the Bosco community, continuing in our spirit of service. ¡Dios le bendiga, Puerto Rico!