My Missionary Vocation Is the Best Gift I Have Received
W hen I think about the beginning of my missionary voca-
tion, I recall always how, as a child, my mother used to
call me to do something: “Please come and do this or
that.” Whenever mom called I would stop whatever I was
doing and I would try my best to do what she asked me to do.
My missionary vocation is similar to this call at a certain mo-
ment of my life. I remember that as a postnovice I had asked to be
sent to the missions. 3 of my companions were sent to Papua New Gui-
nea but I was not. This made me ask myself several times, “Why was I
not sent?” Yet, I always nurtured my missionary vocation. I kept alive
the missionary fervour burning in my heart by giving my very best in
all the tasks assigned to me as a practical trainee and then as a student of theology.
Finally, in my final year of theology, my Rector informed me that I had received a double gift: my ap-
plication for ordination to the priesthood had been accepted positively and that I would be sent as a missiona-
ry to Timor Leste. But my missionary vocation was immediately tested by fire.
In 1992 I arrived in Timor when there was a very strong movement for independence from Indonesia.
Actually, it was a miracle that I was given the permission to enter Timor but, when we respond to God’s call,
He takes care of the rest. Soon civil unrest broke out and many of our houses were burnt. My Provincial asked
me to accompany our people who were fleeing the violence that was engulfing the country. There was total
chaos. We lost contact with everyone. Some confreres even thought I was already dead and had offered mas-
ses for my eternal repose! I lived for months with Timorese refugees in Australia. But I never doubted God’s
loving protection for us all.
Through the years I have faced so many difficult and even life-threatening situations but I never regret-
ted being a missionary. I initially thought that being a missionary meant preaching, teaching, etc. After 25
years I now realise that being missionary is more about patience, humility and kindness. Often times I would
meet people whom I do not even recognise and they would tell me: “thank you for helping me come closer to
the Lord” because I had ministered to them as young people so many years back!
Indeed, I can really say that my Salesian priestly and missionary vocation is the best gift I have recei-
ved from our merciful God.
When God calls us we should not be afraid to respond. He will take care of the rest!
Fr. José Dwight San Juan
Filipino, missionary in Timor Leste
Witness of Salesian Missionary Sanctity
Fr. Pierluigi Cameroni SDB, Postulator General for the Causes of Saints
Venerable Msgr. Vincent Cimatti (1879-1965), missionary in Japan, writes in his letter
to the Rector Major, Fr. Peter Ricaldone: “There is no shortage of people who observe
the life of the missionary from a distance and for a long time, and they study his words
and deeds. Thanks also to the Salesian spirit of serene cheerfulness, the outspoken
concern for youth, one manages to attract people as well as sympathizers. And finally
the charm of charity is irresistible, works of mercy cannot leave the pagan indiffer-
ent.”
Salesian Missionary Intention
For the consolidation and the fecundity of Project Europe in every Province of Centre
– North European Region.
The profound and rapid social and cultural changes in Europe often cause in people, and
even among some confreres, discouragement and lack of confidence. We pray that Europe
may not forget its Christian roots, and continue its missionary and evangelising commit-
ment with optimism, hope and beauty based on Christ.
