CAGLIERO 11 ,
newsletter for Salesian
Missionary Animation
Publication of the missions sector for SDB communities and friends of the salesian mission
f t Strength and weakness go together
Dear brothers
and friends,
'Burnout' has to do with a
person's energy. Burnout refers
to those who can no longer cope,
who have spent all their energy
and are unable to regenerate it.
Pastoral workers can also suffer
from this syndrome: emotional
exhaustion, depersonalisation
and lack of personal satisfaction.
We are talking about normal
people who have started their
service with generosity and
dedication and later got scalded
or burnt out. Listening to their
discomfort and helping them
understand their internal and
external situation realistically
help them to take steps to revive
the ·name· of their dedication. It
is certainly a flame that must be
fed with prayer and other
spiritual aids, but it is right to
recogrnse that, sometimes, the
concrete conditions in which
pastoral service is carried o ut are
such that they burn up the
resources o f evange\\isers, at least
some of them.
It gives us great joy to see the 23 missionaries who form the 152nd
missionary expedition; we thank the Lord for this great gift. We know
that it is not at all easy, especially in these last two years, to opt to be a
missionary ad gentes, and often having to wait many months before
actually being able to leave. As always, the missionary is required to be
strong and robust. And, also, humble because such high expectations
from so many are placed on his shoulders. But, what if, despite sincere
discernment and honest preparation, he does not come up to
expectations; what if he does not make it7 What do we do?
Pope Francis' prayer intention this month is for those suffering from
depression or burnout We should be sensitive to these people who may
be close to us, indeed even among us. Not only to respect them in their
fragility but also to allow ourselves ge t concerned about them. The apostle
and missionary, Paul of Tarsus, wrote, "when I am weak, it is then that
I am strong" (2 Cor 12"10) If we look at Christ in the Gospel, we see that
what brought us salvation was not the great power with which he worked
wonders for the good of the people but, in the end, his weakness and
helplessness on the cross.
We are a vibrant and strong congregation; we do so many good things, so
many activities. Also, thanks to our missionaries. Without their courage,
determination and energy we could never be who we are called to be, we
would not be the faithful sons of Don Bosco. We should, however. not be
afraid to recognise and accept our limitations too. to present our
empty hands to God. Certainly, thanks to faith and trust in the Spirit of
Christ, we can do much more than we think. Along with the contemporary
theologian. Tomas Halik, and the architects of skyscrapers, w e can admit
at the same time that "what does not shake, is not necessarily solid'.
▀ Fr. Pavel Ženíšek, SDB
Member of the Missions Sector
FOR REFLEXION
AND SHARING
▀ Do I know my
personal strengths
and limitations?
▀ Fr. Miguel Ángel García, SDB
General Councillor for Youth
Ministry
▀ Am I willing to
find and meet
Christ even in my
weaknesses, frailties
and limitations?
