Cagliero 11 marzo 2017 - ING


Cagliero 11 marzo 2017 - ING

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N. 99 - March 2017
Newsletter for Salesian Missionary Animation
A Publication of the Missions Sector for the Salesian Communities and Friends of the Salesian Mission
In his missionary appeal last December 8, the Rector Major told us: “There are pres-
ences of the Congregation that we can no longer support because in some countries
of the five continents we do not have Salesians ... I think especially of the young
people who are waiting for us in the context of Project Europe, the Middle East, in
countries with a Muslim-majority, the islands of Oceania, in South Sudan, Mongolia, Si-
beria, Cambodia and Malaysia, as well as among young migrants in the Americas ... and
in many other places!”
Interesting. We seem to be listening to Don Bosco himself. We seem to see him in his
office-room at Valdocco, on the upper floor, turning the globe round and round , and
looking at all the places on earth where he wanted to send his children. We could take
each of these nations and these youth missionary frontiers and (1) pray for them, (2) seek information
about them, (3) make them known. In this way neither indifference nor ignorance will paralyze us.
“Don Bosco is alive”, Don Ángel repeats this to us. He is very much alive, especially he wishes to
keep alive the missionary spirit in each of his children.
Thanks… and have courage!
Fr. Guillermo Basanes, SDB
Councillor for the missions
Conquer the violence of hate with the violence of love
“The voice of Blessed Óscar Romero continues to resonate today to re-
mind us that the Church, a convocation of brothers around their Lord, is
the family of God, in which there should be no division. Faith in Jesus C-
hrist, when correctly understood and its final consequences accepted, ge-
nerates communities that build peace and solidarity. This is what the Chur-
ch in El Salvador is called to today, in America and in the whole world: to
be rich in mercy and to become a leaven of reconciliation for society.
“Archbishop Romero invites us to good sense and reflection, to respect for
life and harmony. It is necessary to renounce “the violence of the sword, of
hate” and to live “the violence of love, that left Christ nailed to the Cross,
that makes each one of us overcome selfishness and so that there be no
more such cruel inequality between us”. He knew how to see and he expe-
rienced in his own flesh “the selfishness that hides itself in those who do
not wish to give up what is theirs for the benefit of others”. And, with the heart of a father, he would
worry about the “poor majority”, asking the powerful to convert “weapons into sickles for work”.
“May those who hold Archbishop Romero as a friend of faith, those who invoke him as protector and
intercessor, those who admire his image, find in him the strength and courage to build the Kingdom of
God, to commit to a more equal and dignified social order.”
Pope Francis
(letter on the occasion of the beatification of
Msgr. Romero, 23 May 2015 )
24 March
Martyrdom of Blessed Óscar Romero
REMEMBRANCE DAY OF MARTYRED MISSIONARIES

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PERMANENTLY ‘RESTLESS’ TO SET MY HEART UPON THE DEEP!
W hen I came to know the Salesians the whole Congregation was full of
missionary fervour not only because of Project Africa, but also because
Fr. Viganò had asked every Province to take up a mission territory.
Many Salesians of my Province had already gone as missionaries. My
heart was restless because I also felt that inner call to leave behind familiar shores
and set my heart upon the deep.
When my missionary application was accepted my initial joy quickly turned to dis-
belief when I realised that I was assigned to Papua New Guinea! “Could I survive in
such a tough place?” My fear and anxieties soon became a firm resolve to learn
well the language and culture of ‘my people’! Together with 4 other Salesians we started a new presence in the
capital. Don Bosco was practically unknown yet in the country. Pioneering was
tough. We had to improvise everything. But those years were full of initiatives,
enthusiasm and joy. After my ordination I was sent back to this work. This time
we worked to form our local lay collaborators. I also started the first group of
Salesian Cooperators and the ADMA. I could literally see before my eyes the
Salesian charism taking root.
Then, one day, the Provincial informed me that the Bishops’ Conference was
asking me to be the Director of the national Liturgical-Catechetical Institute. I
initially refused this totally new field for me. I was not sure I wanted to walk
past horizons that I know! Yet, again, I was restless. I felt a stirring deep within
to go beyond the fears which were closing me in! Looking back, I realised that accompanying the work of evange-
lization of the 23 dioceses widened my ecclesial and missionary horizons!
Later, while I was working on my thesis in Rome, out of the blue, I received a call from the Councilor for the Mis-
sions asking me to be part of the Missions Sector at the Generalate. This time I was deeply troubled. But I also
realized that the Lord was inviting me to get out of the fortress of my mind, and learn again to trust in Him and
set out once more. I accepted only after an agonizing discernment. Now I am grateful for the worldwide perspec-
tive I have of the Congregation, after meeting missionaries in 5 continents and often in difficult situations.
I have already started preparing to conclude my service in the Missions Sector. Then one morning the Rector Ma-
jor called me to his office and asked me to be the Superior of the new Vice Province of Papua New Guinea-
Solomon Islands. While he was explaining to me his choice, my mind was clouded with questions and doubts. But
I also felt an inner voice whispering to me, to dare and set out one more time!
Hence, to me being a missionary is living in a permanent state of restlessness, always ready to dare the
improbable so that we may learn to trust the Lord, who invites us to constantly set our hearts upon the deep!
Fr. Alfred Maravilla SDB
Filipino, missionary in Papua New Guinea
Witness of Salesian Missionary Sanctity
Fr. Pierluigi Cameroni SDB, Postulator General for the Causes of Saints
Venerable José Vandor (1909-1979), hungarian missionary in Cuba, always paid much
attention to the training of young apprentices especially those coming from poor families
for whom he did not hesitate to ask for help: "This training centre has as its purpose the
technical and practical formation of apprentices. Our students are mostly children of
peasant or average families and among them there is a significant number of orphans”.
For Salesians in the Middle East
Salesian Missionary Intention
That Salesians may continue to be signs of faith and hope among the
persecuted Christians of the Middle East.
The Salesians continue to be present in sensitive places of conflict, such as Syria, Sudan,
Tunisia, Egypt, Palestine, Iran, Israel, Turkey and Lebanon. Although these are places
with ancient and deep Christian roots, the disciples of Christ are still considered foreign-
ers. The Salesians through their mission as educators and witnesses of Christ, make the
discriminated and persecuted Christians in Islamic context feel the affection, solidarity,
communion and faith of the Universal Church.