Cagliero11_2023_01_en


Cagliero11_2023_01_en

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CAGLIERO 11 4
newsletter for Salesian
Missionary Animation
Publication of the Missions Sector for SDB Communities and Friends of the Salesian Missions
For the missionary education of
ft
young people in the style of Don Bosco
Dear friends,
There is no greater gift than
that feeling of being called
by Jesus to participate,
together with many others,
in his ever fascinating
mission of making his love
present to the people we
meet every day.
This gift allows us to
recognize the gratuity of
the Lord's love for each of
His creatures. It commits
us, as educators, to live
every day as people in love
with life. It commits us to
making visible the love that
lights up hearts. It pushes
us to celebrate the joy of
meeting each other, and
arouses hope. It opens our
eyes to discover the beauty
and simplicity that fill our
existence with meaning
and wonder. I hope that
this certainty will always
push us to go forthl
▀ Sr. Ruth del Pilar Mora
General Councilor for the
missions, Daughters of Mary
Help of Christians
In the Salesian tradition, missions and the education of young people are linked in
three ways which complement each other. Don Bosco made his choices clear as to
his missionary strategy - open schools and institutes of education and thus, first of
all, attract young people through Salesian goodness and empathy. Subsequently,
through the education of their children, Salesians would arrive at talking about
religion with their parents as well. He saw that, in the missions, education would make
a great impact on the entire society because young people with a good Christian
education would themselves go on to bring the good news to their own tribe, nation
or culture, who would gladly accept God's word from such preachers.
The missionary choice also shaped the life of Salesian schools. The Rector MaJor
Filippo Rinaldi reminded the Salesians: "Continue to cultivate this missionary spirit in
Salesian houses because it bears excellent fruit for the benefit of the students
themselves. An apostolic and missionary passion is one of the most effective means
of forming the hearts of young people in lofty and holy affections, distracting them
from self-centred sentimentality. Furthermore, it is a means that reminds them of the
reality of life and the poverty of this world, makes them appreciate the good of having
received a Catholic education, in the light and civilization of the Gospel, and thus
encourages them to correspond to the vocation of a life spent for others.
At the same time in another part of the world, the missionary Vincenzo Cimatti
confides in one of his letters the need to allow himself to be educated and
transformed by the mission entrusted to him: "The more we love the people to whom
we are sent, the more we will become like them in everything. In my view, this has
not yet been reached by past and present missionaries. If this does not happen, I am
sure that the conversion of Japan will still be many centuries away... It is certain that
unttl our spirit is Japanese, we will not succeed."
After all:
▪ Education is the missionary method;
▪ Missionary spirit educates all young
people;
▪ The first to be educated are the
missionaries!
▀ Fr. Michal Vojtáš, SDB,
Vice-Rector of the Salesian
Pontifical University Rome (UPS)
FOR REFLECTION
AND SHARING
▪ How can I promote integral human
development as a way of
proclaiming the Gospel?
▪ How can I foster the conversion of
the heart as the nucleus of Integral
Human Development?

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VIETNAMESE SALESIANS
LOVE SLOVENIA
~
Dear confrere, what do you like most about Slovenia and Slovenians?
JH: What I like the most in Slovenia are its people. People here are open,
friendly, caring and kind, especially the Salesian confreres. When I came here,
everything was strange for me to start with. My confreres were patient to
guide me, to love me and to take care of me so that I could integrate well
into the new environment. They became my models and my missionaries.
VL: Slovenia is a small country in central Europe. Its population is only above
2 million people, but it is blessed with plenty of beautiful landscapes, lakes,
romantic sceneries, historical sites and so on. This got me interested and I
love its nature. Slovenians are open-minded and approachable; the
youngsters, in particular, are so active and kind. This makes me feel at home
and comfortable when I meet, communicate, and work with them.
As regards the Salesian style of functioning, what do you see as the
biggest difference between Vietnam and Slovenia?
JH: The biggest difference is in their role in programmes. In most of
programmes for the young, Slovenian Salesians act as supporters and
companions rather than as leaders. In Vietnam, by contrast, the Salesians play
the role of leaders, and they are the key decision-makers of much of the
programme.
VL: The biggest difference between Vietnam and Slovenia is the mode of
education. Slovenian Salesians make young people protagonists and very
active, while in Vietnam they pay more attention to helping young people to
live a life of sacrifice and service. In addition to creating many activities for
the boys, the Salestans of Vietnam also strongly emphasize prayer and daily
Mass. This is also why Vietnam still has many vocations and many young
people would like to be religious or priests.
What is the greatest help for you to integrate and grow into the
Slovenian Salesian reality?
JH: What I see as most important right now are humility and simplicity like a
child, readiness to learn, accept, and become part of the Slovenian Salesian
family.
VL: I need a community in which my confreres pray constantly, who respect,
share and confirm others in fraternal love. I believe this would unite all
conferrers and they will live in the same spirit of Don Bosco.
JOSEPH (JOŽE) NGUYỄN ĐỨC HẬU,
SDB (JH)
I come from Due Huy parish in Dong Nai
provtnce. I did my novitiate in the Ba
Thon Community, Ho Chi Minh City; the
post-novitiate of three years at Da Lat
I had the desire to become a missionary
since my novitiate, but I took my
decision only when I was m my third
year of philosophy.
VINCENTE (VINKO) LÊ THÀNH TRUNG,
SDB (VL)
I was born in Dong Nai province. I did my
novitiate in the Sacred Heart of Jesus
Community at Ba Thon, Ho Chi Minh
City, and post-novitiate in Da Lat
I prayed and decided for the missions
when I was in the novitiate. However. I
could go to the missions only when I
finished my three years of philosophy.
illiterate
Among people aged 15 and older
Literacy rates grew constantly but rather slowly until
the beginning of the twentieth century.
The rate of growth really climbed after the middle
of the 20th century, when the expansion of basic
education became a global priority.
literate
Scum ESE Sa1erdD UnlwitSllt Publshlng
For educators
For the education of young Slovenians
in the style of Don Bosco
We pray that educators may be credible witnesses, teaching
fraternity rather than competition and helping the youngest
and most vulnerable above all. [Prayer intention of Pope Francis]