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Newsletter for Salesian Missionary Animation
THE WITNESS OF A HEART BURNING WITH LOVE FOR CHRIST
D ear Salesian missionaries
and friends of the Salesian
missions!
Cordial greetings during the month of
Mary!
On May 24, 2010 all the Salesian bish-
ops of the world have a special event
at Valdocco at the Basilica of Mary
Help of Christians. Among the 100
bishops there will also be many mis-
sionary bishops ad gentes who re-
ceived their missionary cross from
this basilica.
I'm happy to share the testimony of
Cardinal Joseph Zen Ze Kiun (陈日君).
Salesian since 1949, now bishop
emeritus of Hong Kong, he studied in
Turin 50 years ago. The testimony of
the heart on fire for Christ is the best
missionary animation.
Don Václav Klement, SDB
Councilor for the Missions
Living and Working
Together is our secret!
Some time ago, Cardinal Joseph Zen,
bishop emeritus of Hong Kong, was in
Pisana and we asked him to share some
thoughts with the readers of Cagliero 11.
“ M ary is
our guide,
Our teacher,
Our mother ”
Don Bosco, MB VII, 676
You studied theology in Turin. What do
you remember of Crocetta when you
were a student there?
The studentate of theology at Crocetta,
Turin has produced many missionaries
and the secret was fraternal relationship
between professors and students. The
house, then, was poor but the spirit was
very beautiful. Since my childhood I
learnt that one may be poor but happy.
We were a poor family but we were
happy. So were we also at the Crocetta.
The situation was poor but we were
happy. We studied seriously, we had
many celebrations too. During summer
those from Europe returned to their
Provinces. We, from other Provinces,
were involved in many activities: youth
camps in the mountains, animation of
the oratory, and of course manual labour at home. Even during these activities we learnt that the secret was
in being together.
My life was almost always in the Salesian studentate except one and a half years in Macau and three years
in Aberdeen (Hong Kong). I was very happy in these two houses. Again, the secret was being together with
the confreres. As a bishop I also realised that living together with my seminarians made a big impact on us
all. I am truly convinced of the value of our living and working together.
During the centenary of the Salesian presence in China I pointed out that our gift to China is the family
spirit: being together, friendship, and not being afraid to wast time with young people, being everybody's
friend. Being together is our secret.
In your opinion how can we evangelise in our schools?
The missionaries are a sign of vitality. Perhaps in the past there was too much emphasis on the conversion of non-Christians.
Now, inversely, perhaps after Vatican II we have not given much importance to proclamation in schools because in many of our
schools the vast majority of teachers are also followers of other religions. But, fortunately, in our Salesian schools we have the
visible presence of the Salesian community that helps create an environment. When I was Provincial I once baptized 90 children
in our school. Now we found out that adults seeking baptism in Canada or America are largely our alumni in Hong Kong. The
Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation Ecclesia in Asia speaks of telling the story of Jesus in Asia. But before we can tell his story
our hearts should overflow with love for Jesus. When I say this I think of Fr. Charles Braga who could speak three Chinese dia-
lects and all at the same time, which means he spoke very poor Chinese but he had a big heart overflowing with love for Jesus
Christ and that was what attracted many.
