PERMANENTLY ‘RESTLESS’ TO SET MY HEART UPON THE DEEP!
W hen I came to know the Salesians the whole Congregation was full of
missionary fervour not only because of Project Africa, but also because
Fr. Viganò had asked every Province to take up a mission territory.
Many Salesians of my Province had already gone as missionaries. My
heart was restless because I also felt that inner call to leave behind familiar shores
and set my heart upon the deep.
When my missionary application was accepted my initial joy quickly turned to dis-
belief when I realised that I was assigned to Papua New Guinea! “Could I survive in
such a tough place?” My fear and anxieties soon became a firm resolve to learn
well the language and culture of ‘my people’! Together with 4 other Salesians we started a new presence in the
capital. Don Bosco was practically unknown yet in the country. Pioneering was
tough. We had to improvise everything. But those years were full of initiatives,
enthusiasm and joy. After my ordination I was sent back to this work. This time
we worked to form our local lay collaborators. I also started the first group of
Salesian Cooperators and the ADMA. I could literally see before my eyes the
Salesian charism taking root.
Then, one day, the Provincial informed me that the Bishops’ Conference was
asking me to be the Director of the national Liturgical-Catechetical Institute. I
initially refused this totally new field for me. I was not sure I wanted to walk
past horizons that I know! Yet, again, I was restless. I felt a stirring deep within
to go beyond the fears which were closing me in! Looking back, I realised that accompanying the work of evange-
lization of the 23 dioceses widened my ecclesial and missionary horizons!
Later, while I was working on my thesis in Rome, out of the blue, I received a call from the Councilor for the Mis-
sions asking me to be part of the Missions Sector at the Generalate. This time I was deeply troubled. But I also
realized that the Lord was inviting me to get out of the fortress of my mind, and learn again to trust in Him and
set out once more. I accepted only after an agonizing discernment. Now I am grateful for the worldwide perspec-
tive I have of the Congregation, after meeting missionaries in 5 continents and often in difficult situations.
I have already started preparing to conclude my service in the Missions Sector. Then one morning the Rector Ma-
jor called me to his office and asked me to be the Superior of the new Vice Province of Papua New Guinea-
Solomon Islands. While he was explaining to me his choice, my mind was clouded with questions and doubts. But
I also felt an inner voice whispering to me, to dare and set out one more time!
Hence, to me being a missionary is living in a permanent state of restlessness, always ready to dare the
improbable so that we may learn to trust the Lord, who invites us to constantly set our hearts upon the deep!
Fr. Alfred Maravilla SDB
Filipino, missionary in Papua New Guinea
Witness of Salesian Missionary Sanctity
Fr. Pierluigi Cameroni SDB, Postulator General for the Causes of Saints
Venerable José Vandor (1909-1979), hungarian missionary in Cuba, always paid much
attention to the training of young apprentices especially those coming from poor families
for whom he did not hesitate to ask for help: "This training centre has as its purpose the
technical and practical formation of apprentices. Our students are mostly children of
peasant or average families and among them there is a significant number of orphans”.
For Salesians in the Middle East
Salesian Missionary Intention
That Salesians may continue to be signs of faith and hope among the
persecuted Christians of the Middle East.
The Salesians continue to be present in sensitive places of conflict, such as Syria, Sudan,
Tunisia, Egypt, Palestine, Iran, Israel, Turkey and Lebanon. Although these are places
with ancient and deep Christian roots, the disciples of Christ are still considered foreign-
ers. The Salesians through their mission as educators and witnesses of Christ, make the
discriminated and persecuted Christians in Islamic context feel the affection, solidarity,
communion and faith of the Universal Church.
