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Titolo n otiziario
Newsletter for Salesian Missionary Animation
A Publication of the Missions Sector for the Salesian Communities and Friends of the Salesian Missions
D ear brothers,
dear friends,
The Holy Door of Mercy is al-
ready open. At its opening,
during the homily on the feast
of the Immaculate Concep-
tion, Pope Francis spoke of a
“missionary journey” and also
of “missionary impulse”. It is
rightly for this reason that the
Holy Door opens: to let the
people of God be reborn by
growing in holiness, and be-
coming more missionary.
At the same time, the Rector
Major, enflames our hearts
exhorting us with the Strenna
this year to launch into the
adventure in the Spirit. And
the Spirit cannot do so unless
He Himself guides us in the
adventure which is close to his
own heart: the evangelisation
of all peoples. Thus, this ad-
venture cannot be but a mis-
sionary adventure.
The Holy Door and the Strenna
2016: wonderful opportunities
to let God make all things
new. I wish, therefore, a fruit-
ful year!
Fr. Guillermo Basañes, SDB
Councillor for Missions
THE SALESIAN MISSIONARY VOLUNTEER SERVICE
T he missionary fire lighted
by Don Bosco in the Orato-
ry, continues today in Salesian
houses when great ideals to be
realised in their lives are of-
fered to the young people;
when the opportunity to direct
their generosity to the fascinat-
ing projects of solidarity and
mission are offered to the young
people. This is the soul of the
volunteer service.
In recent years, particularly after the GC24, the Salesian Society
reflected on the great pastoral, educational, vocational and missionary
opportunity offered by the volunteer service. Therefore the Sectors for
Youth Ministry and for Missions are promoting in the Provinces the devel-
opment of this great gift for the young, for the Congregation and for the
transformation of the world.
There are different kinds of volunteer service in civil society and
also in the Salesian mission: some are more focused on the education of
those who do it or the more mature commitment; others stress more the
social or the missionary dimension. There are different types of volunteer
service. Some lasts for a short time but with systematic interventions and
with very intense experiences, others on long term basis. One can also do
voluntary service in one’s own country or in other countries.
The volunteer service according to the Salesian spirit, without tak-
ing away the value of its other forms, is the Salesian Missionary Volun-
teer Service :
♦ Volunteer service: this is not to be confused with cooperation or oth-
er educational and humanitarian agents, which are also important
for the mission. The volunteer service is done freely, as an act of
solidarity and gratuitously with a lay and professional dimension
which requires competence and preparation;
♦ Missionary: this does not mean that it focuses only on the explicit proclamation of the Gospel or on direct
pastoral work, which is vital and important when it is possible. The term expresses its motivations and
the witness of life. The volunteer, animated by his Christian faith, participates in the process of evangeli-
sation through his professional services. In fact it is a valid journey of growth in youthful holiness ;
♦ Salesian: it is a charismatic feature of our volunteer service: the closeness to world of youth, to educa-
tion; and all animated by an oratorian heart and the family spirit which enables one to be part of an edu-
cational community, in an educative-pastoral project .
The richness of the volunteer service in the Salesian mission, regenerates pastoral ministry, stirring up
new enthusiasm and new horizons. In fact it is a privileged means for growth, for integral formation and for the
fulfilment of the personal project of life and for the discovery of one’s vocation. Indeed, the Salesian Mission-
ary Volunteer Service is a valuable and practical help for the Salesian mission and a valid proposal for the edu-
cation in the faith of young people.
Fr. Martín Lasarte SDB
Missions Sector
