N. 112 - April 2018
Newsletter for Salesian Missionary Animation
Publication of the Missions Sector for the Salesian Communities and Friends of the Salesian Mission
Ea ster invites us to drink in abun-
dance from the true sources of
the Salesian missionary spirit. May the
Risen Christ, as in John's dream at the
age of nine, continue to show us our
mission field!
The Apostolic Letter of Pope Benedict
XV, Maximum Illud, of which we will cel-
ebrate the centenary next year, recalls
the commitment and missionary protago-
nism of the great religious orders, in
particular the Franciscans, Dominicans
and Jesuits. Their work and testimony,
especially during the centuries of the
modern period, pro-
foundly marked the
evangelization of so
many peoples.
It is not by chance
that Don Bosco
recommends the first
missionaries, leaving
for Argentina to:
"Love, esteem and
respect other reli-
gious orders, and always speak well of
them" (Ricordi, n.10).
This reminds us of our own historical re-
sponsibility today, as the Society of St.
Francis de Sales. It was always intended
to be missionary right from its founda-
tion. It is to be a call to youthful
missionary leadership in this third
millennium.
Happy Easter everyone!
Fr Guillermo Basañes, SDB
Councillor for the Missions
Fatima, Seminar for SDB PDMA
and FMA coordinators of mission
F rom 4 to animation throughout Europe.
11 March
we held at Fatima the continental seminar for Europe and the
Middle East. Among the various points of learning, I emphasize
the following: At Fatima we rediscovered synergy. We had proof that
synergy is possible, in Europe in particular. There is great synergy here
among FMA, SDB and volunteers ... It is impressive
how synergy works!
It is very interesting that we were at Fatima, pre-
cisely at this time, to reflect on missionary anima-
tion ... It was Fatima that released a word of hope
at the close of the First World War. Pope Benedict
XV wrote in Maximum Illud that that period, a 100
years ago, was a wonderful time for "missionary
sowing". The message of Fatima is clearly one of
hope. Can our Salesian missionary animation
become an equally clear and hopeful message to
this "world, broken by the third world war", as Pope
Francis calls it?
We also learned again that Europe is also a mission territory and we want
to do everything to convince even our confreres and sisters that it is so!
If we look at various European realities with these eyes, everything
changes, including our way of thinking and acting.
As for the journey that awaits us, we are convinced that reflection and
prayer are very important. These days of the seminar (as in other conti-
nents) the Lectio of Sr Maria Ko accompanied us. In a very masterly,
sharp and Salesian manner she tip-toed her message into our hearts. She
pointed out to us the beginning of everything and the source from which
to draw our missionary zeal. This is a lesson we took home with us.
We realized on the final day the fundamental importance of the contri-
bution from the PDMA and Coordinators to the governance and animation
of our provinces. We are called to do missionary animation of our con-
freres and sisters. With them we need to find intelligent paths forward.
That takes study and prayer, in order not to be wasting our strength! It
was interesting how, in the name of missionary animation – not because
there is confusion, but because we need synergy – our reflection these
days ranged from youth ministry, to formation, to social communica-
tion ... This is the synergy to build. Everyone will see, in their province,
where there is more scope for synergy. We want to be very realistic: we
start working where the land is more welcoming, where the fire of
missionary zeal can take root.
As for areas that call for strategic attention, we chose the Family, Migra-
tion and Salesian Missionary Voluntary Service.
