My country needs missionaries, but I learnt that mission has no borders!
My country needs missionaries, but I learnt that mission has no borders!
There are two elements in my desire to be a missionary. The first is that I think
my missionary vocation was formed in my heart and in my mind long before I
was aware of events of my life. My mother belongs to the Legion of Mary, and I remember
that before learning the catechism, she took me to give food to the hungry, comfort and
hope to those who were sick. Gradually I began to understand that to be a Christian means
to leave the house, to go out to meet and share with others, even the little we had.
The second is that during my childhood and my youth I had the grace to know
many missionaries who profoundly marked me with their example of life, up to the point
of wanting to imitate them: Spanish, Italian, Polish, Irish, Egyptians, Colombians, Argen-
tinians, etc. who were plumbers, teachers, cooks, psychologists, mechanics, nurses, musi-
cians. But above all, they were men and women who love Jesus and others, they have left
everything to serve. They have left their homeland and came to help, to live with us, to
mourn and laugh, sing and pray, to walk and grow. Through their lives they shared
with us a great news, the news of Jesus. Through them I had my missionary voca-
tion, I want to imitate their lives, their good works, their sacrifices, dedication
and perseverance. I always want to love as they have loved.
Africa is a mysterious land where pain and sadness are always at our
doors. Many young people have been pushed into a life of survival, disease, injus-
tice, danger, death. In the midst of this reality my greatest joy has been to dis-
cover the loving and merciful action of God; and realise that the more I try to
evangelise, it is I who is actually evangelised even more!
Certainly, many ask: “Venezuela needs also missionaries, why go to Afri-
ca?” This is a difficult question. Surely Venezuela, the land that I love, needs mis-
sionaries; but gradually I learnt that life is our mission and that mission has no borders. That our life is based on the
call of Christ who sends us. How much joy I experienced in serving my people, but I felt that the Lord was asking me
to go to the furthest corner, so that those who do not know Him yet may encounter Him.
To Salesians who want to be missionaries, especially those of South America I want to say: let us be atten-
tive to the Lord’s missionary call ad gentes and let us allow ourselves be led by His Spirit! Let us not forget that our
father Don Bosco always dreamt of being a missionary. You can fulfil the dream of Don Bosco, remember that there
are many who are waiting for you !
Fr. Ubaldino Andrade
venezuelan, missionary in Sierra Leone
COURSE FOR NEW MISSIONARIES OF THE 146th MISSIONARY EXPEDITION
The Orientation Course for 23 new missionaries of the 146th Salesian Missionary Expedition began on 2 September. The final act of the
course, and its climax, will be in the Basilica of Mary Help of Christians at Valdocco on Sunday 27 September with the giving of the mis-
sionary cross by the Vicar of the Rector Major, Fr. Francesco Cereda.
The course is designed as part of the immediate preparation of new missionaries before their departure, to provide them with
the help they need to get into a new culture, to be part of a new people and to develop personal attitudes of openness, respect
and trust towards others, so that their presence may be effective, humble and discreet.
Following the pattern already well established over the years, the course consists of two phases: the first in Rome at the Gene-
ralate, and the second in places of Salesian interest in Piedmont. There are three core modules - cultural anthropology, missio-
logy and Salesian studies. It is intended primarily as an educational experience (to foster values and attitudes needed in a mis-
sionary) not information (acquiring new knowledge or ideas). It tries to help the new missionary to check, investigate and, so-
metimes, to discover the profound reasons for his going on mission. Great importance is given, then, to personal reflection and
prayer, the sharing of experiences and listening to testimonies.
Let us accompany our 23 new missionaries of the 146th missionary expedition with our prayers!
Salesian Missionary Intention
For the 146th Missionary Expedition
That the 146th Salesian missionary expedition promote the missionary
spirit and enthusiasm for one’s vocation throughout the Salesian Society.
In the history of our Society missionary expeditions ‘ad gentes’ and ‘ad exteros’ have always
stirred up in young Salesians and joy of evangelisation and enthusiasm for the Salesian voca-
tion. While we pray that Salesian missionaries may be coherent witnesses to the faith they
proclaim, we ask the Lord that this concrete expression of the missionary spirit of Don Bosco
may stirr up the apostolic zeal of Salesians and inspire new Salesian vocations.
