4483(III)_Missionary Fire in Myanmar

Animation visit of Missions Councilor

August 30, 2017

By Fr. Bosco Ze Ya Aung, SDB
Vice-provincial MYM

Anisakan, Myanmar, 29 August 2017 -- The SDB Missions Councilor Fr. Basanes Guillermo visited Myanmar on 20th to 27th August 2017. As he arrived Mandalay International Airport the Superior of the Vice Province of Myanmar, Fr. Saw Charles, welcomed him. He met the confreres from Mandalay and Kalay communities at Don Bosco Youth Center, Mandalay. On 21st August 2017 Fr. Guillermo visited Don Bosco Vocational Training Center, Myitkyina. The students welcomed him with Kachin cultural manau dance and many other Kachin culture presentations.

Then the General Councilor for the Missions visited Don Bosco Philosophate, Pyin Oo Lwin on 22nd August 2017 and followed to Don Bosco Pre-novitiate, Thibaw on 23rd August. The Provincial House and Nazareth community in Anisakan, then Yangon Community received the visit of Fr. Basanes on the 24th to 27th August. There was a simple but profound welcoming celebration at Nazareth community, meeting with the boys and the confreres both in common and individual.

On 26th August 2017, the mission Superior had a meeting with the Provincial Council. Fr. Basanes left some recommendations for the growth of the Province of Myanmar. Though it was his first visit to Myanmar and seeing many of the confreres for the first time, he could notice the spirit of fraternity and sincerity, simplicity of life and zeal for souls among the confreres. He thanked the provincial and his councilors for cooperating with the Rector Major.

Fr. Basanes said: "Looking the holy picture of Don Bosco, we could see in him the simplicity, serenity and sanctity which we all must imitate. According to the Constitutions articles No.66 we all share the responsibilities in obedience which is our common mission. We obey the Superior, Rector Major, and collaborate with him. We need to strive to be more united and promote growth in missionary spirit for which we can find a good example in the person of Fr. Fortunato Giacomin, a zealous and holy missionary in Myanmar. We should read with interest and share it with others the Cagliero 11 (Monthly missionary animation newsletter), which gives birth to many missionary vocations in the Congregation. We are called to remember that if there is less means there is more animation, but if there is more means then there is less animations.

It would be good if we could start a missionary group in Nazareth community, with one Priest, one practical trainee and some boys who will organized and initiated different missionary activities. We should not be afraid to animate the missionary spirit especially for the Ad gentes missionary vocation. Sending out some practical trainees to the missions is also very much needed since there are provinces who are ready to welcome new missionaries. In every province it is necessary to keep a missionary formation.

The local communities need to make more awareness about mission and need a good communication. There are three points which we need to remember in reshaping of the community mission: to work really for the poor and to take care and consolidate the present mission and strive to reach out of our institution to the neighbourhood."

At present there are 80 SDB in the MYM viceprovince with one missionary in AFE-Sudan Delegation and another missionary candidate in the Jerusalem formation house. During this visit few young confreres personally expressed their serious desire to finalize the ad gentes missionary vocation discernment.

Just three months before the historical visit of Pope Francis to Myanmar we treasure this missionary animation visit deep in our hearts and promise to keep the missionary flame alive and burning!