If it is God’s will, go and do not be afraid!
When I was a child my parents used to take me to church every Sunday to
participate in the the Eucharistic celebration. After the Mass we would meet our
parish priest who was a missionary priest. He taught us how to sing, dance and
pray. Once a month he would visit and celebrate Mass in our village. As a good missionary
priest, he was very diligent in visiting his people in remote areas, very kind and generous
with them. Since I was a child I met many European missionary priests from other
congregations working in our parish. But my missionary vocation became stronger when I
entered the Salesian Society. The testimony of the life and holiness of the Salesian
missionaries working in my country strengthened my Salesian missionary vocation. Their
witness of faith and concern for the poor and simple youth made me dream that someday I
could be a missionary priest like them.
Today many people say that Indonesia needs missionaries because there are
many Indonesians who have not yet heard the Good News nor know Jesus. Well,
when I told my parents I wanted to be a missionary, they were surprised and
somewhat sad. My mother told me: “Why do you go so far, whereas here we lack
missionaries? But if it is God’s will and it is your vocation, go and do not be afraid,
we will always support you with our prayers.” I am very grateful to my Salesian
formators who have accompanied me in my missionary vocation. Since we in
Indonesia have received a lot from missionaries, we ought to share the fruits, even in
a small way. “What you received freely, give freely” (Mt 10,18). I think we should be
witnesses with joy to the young and love Christ and others without borders. After my
discernment, I said “yes” surrendering myself completely to mission ad gentes and
ad vitam. Then the Rector Major, Fr Pascual Chávez, sent me to Paraguay.
As a missionary I had to learn not only Spanish, a language that was completely unknown to me, but also
Guarani, the two languages spoken by most Paraguayans. I also experienced “culture shock” because I had to adapt to a
new culture and traditions which are very rich yet different from my own. I sometimes feel nostalgia for Indonesian
food, friends and family. But as a challenge and with patience, little by little, I’m learning the country’s history, and
try to accept and love people and their cultures. Undoubtedly contact with people from other cultures brings light to
my own unquestioned beliefs, unlearn my prejudices and improve my self knowledge. All these help me to grow in my
religious and missionary vocation.
I feel happy and joyful in living Salesian missionary life through prayer, work, sacrifice and the witness of life in
the community, the accompaniment of my Salesian confreres and the joy of young people who are part of my life. So I
am more motivated to follow Jesus Christ and to help the poor and needy youth like Don Bosco. To the Salesians who
want to be missionaries I say: we are called to share the love of Christ to others especially the neediest and poorest
youth. God calls us to proclaim the Good News. Do not be afraid to be missionaries. Sincerely, with the charism of Don
Bosco, say: “Here am I, send me” (Is 6,8).
Cl. Agustinus Jou Poma
Indonesian, missionary in Paraguay
Witness of Salesian Missionary Sanctity
In the life of Venerable Fr. Rudolf Komorek (1890-1949), whose 125th birth-
day we celebrate this year (11 August 1890), among all virtues what was outstanding
was that of penance. He was a Polish Salesian missionary in Brazil who was called
“Holy Father” for his virtuous life. Fr. Rudolf felt the attraction for life, almost like a
personal response to a mysterious and divine inspiration. “The Superiors urged him to
mitigate the rigour of his penance due to his health, even though they were con-
vinced that the inspiration of the Spirit guided him, like the Cure of Ars and Benedict
Labre, whom the Servant of God loved to remember”.
Salesian Missionary Intention
For the Social Commitment of Salesians in America South Cone
That Salesians of America South Cone learn to dialogue with culture and challenge the
social reality in which they live in.
GC 27 asks us to put ourselves into the attitude of “listening” to life, to the situa-
tions, to the expectations of the world especially young people because God speaks to
us through life, people, events and history. We pray that Salesians learn to question
themselves in order to understand the multiple social realities of the region and un-
derstand God’s message as missionary disciples in a “Church which goes forth”.
