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Newsletter for Salesian Missionary Animation
A Publication of the Missions Sector for the Salesian Communities and Friends of the Salesian Mission
147ª mis-
sionary ex-
pedition!
Let us all join
together as a
family in a beau-
tiful missionary
Magnificat: the
Lord has done
wonders!
As it happens
every year, first of all, the numbers
speak. From the first expedition
sent by Don Bosco himself from Val-
docco, there has been 147 send off,
involving a total of more than
11,000 SDB. This year there are 18
members confreres of this expedi-
tion. The oldest is 44 years and
youngest, 23; their average age is
29. There are 13 practical trainees,
all clerics; there are 2 perpetually
professed lay brothers; 3 Priests,
one is just ordained. The distribu-
tion by continent is: Africa sends 6
and receives 4; America sends 3 and
receives 5; Asia sends 7 and receives
2; Europe sends 2 and receives 5;
and Oceania receives 2.
As we see, mission ad gentes contin-
ues in all directions. Each province
must feel the duty to give and to
receive. The Provinces poorest in
vocations should not hesitate to give
out of their poverty. Provinces with
abundant vocations should continue
to prepare the ground also to re-
ceive missionaries and strengthen in
the Province the prophecy of univer-
sal fraternity. Thank you!!
Fr. Guillermo Basañes SDB
Councillor for the Missions
“ … Missionaries always proclaim a message of salvation
to everyone; not only those missionaries who go afar,
but we too, [are] Christian missionaries who express a
good word of salvation. This is the gift that Jesus gives us
with the Holy Spirit. …
With what spirit must disciples of Jesus carry out
this mission? First of all they must be aware of the difficult
and sometimes hostile reality that awaits them. Jesus
minces no words about this! Jesus says: “I send you out as
lambs in the midst of wolves” (v. 3). This is very clear. Ho-
stility is always at the beginning of persecutions of Chri-
stians; because Jesus knows that the mission is blocked by
the work of evil. For this reason, the laborer of the Gospel
will strive to be free from every kind of human conditio-
ning, carrying neither purse nor bag nor sandals (cf. v. 4),
as Jesus counseled, so as to rely solely in the power of the
Cross of Jesus Christ. This means abandoning every motive
of personal advantage, careerism or hunger for power, and
humbly making ourselves instruments of the salvation car-
ried out by Jesus’ sacrifice.
“… There is a great need for Christians who joyfully
witness to the Gospel in everyday life. The disciples, sent
out by Jesus, “returned with joy” (v. 17). When we do this,
our heart fills with joy. This expression makes me think of
how much the Church rejoices. She revels when her chil-
dren receive the Good News thanks to the dedication of so
many men and women who daily proclaim the Gospel: prie-
sts — those brave parish priests whom we all know —, nuns,
consecrated women, missionary men and women.... I ask
myself — listen to the question —: how many of you young
people who are now present today in the Square, hear the
Lord’s call to follow him? Fear not! Be courageous and
bring to others this guiding light of apostolic zeal that the-
se exemplary disciples have given to us.
“Let us
pray to the Lord,
through the inter-
cession of the
Virgin Mary, that
the Church may
never lack gene-
rous hearts that
work to bring
everyone the love
and kindness of
our heavenly Fa-
ther.”
Pope Francis
Angelus, 3 July 2016
