N. 129 - Septembro 2019
Newsletter for Salesian Missionary Animation
Publication of the Missions Sector for the Salesian Communities and Friends of the Salesian Mission
THE SALESIANS SET THE AMAZON IN FIRE!
It is true, the Salesians set the Amazon on fire... but not with the fire that has been burning
there these last few weeks destroying vast tracts of forests, but with the fire of the Spirit: "I
have come to cast fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already lit! (Lk 12:49). This
year the Rector Major will send ten new missionaries to the Amazon – to Brazil, Ecuador, Peru and
Venezuela. Certainly, they will be for the communities and for the young, as "dew that brings the
Lord's blessing" (cf. Ps 133:3). It is a sign of our commitment to the Panamazonic Synod.
However, the 150th Missionary Expedition will also send another 26 missionaries to Albania-Kosovo,
Bolivia, Bulgaria, Central America, Great Britain, Lithuania, Middle East, Mongolia, Pakistan,
Paraguay, Spain, Tunisia and Turkey.
26 of these young missionaries are in their regency, 9 are perpetually professed (7 priests and 2
brothers) and one is a former bishop. We thank the generosity of the provinces of Vietnam, which
sends 7 missionaries; India, which sends another 7; and the new provinces of Africa, which send 12
confreres. The provinces of Europe (4) and America (4) are also committed to the missionary spirit.
After the first expedition in 1875, this will be the 150th time that the sons of Don Bosco will leave
from the Sanctuary of Mary Help of Christians together with 13 missionary Daughters of Mary Help
of Christians.
We pray that our "incendiaries in the Spirit" will always keep alive and contagious the flame of faith
and pastoral charity wherever the Lord sends them.
Witness of Salesian Missionary Sanctity
Fr. Pierluigi Cameroni SDB, Postulator General for the Causes of Saints
The Slovenian Servant of God Andrea Majcen (1904-1999), a missionary in China and
Vietnam. His diocesan process will close on September 30. He testified: "I am grateful to
God for calling me and for giving me courage to follow His call.” The adventure of life,
to which God sends us, is very significant. He lived a daily struggle towards holiness
documented in his spiritual diaries, meditations and notes. There are 6,500 pages of
manuscripts. Every day he drew up precise plans to check his own spiritual
commitment. Four events in his life were very significant for him: the day of his baptism
when he became a son of God; the day of his religious profession when he became a
Salesian; the day of his priestly ordination when he became a priest of Christ; the day
he received the missionary crucifix when he became a messenger and apostle of Christ.
For the Salesians of OCEANIA
Salesian Missionary Intention
That the presence of Don Bosco may continue
to be consolidated through the education of
young people and a commitment to ecology.
The Salesians of Don Bosco are, for the moment, in six countries of
Oceania. Their service is required by many islands and countries. Let
us pray that the Lord will grant fruitfulness and growth to Don Bosco's
charism on this continent and will protect its people, seas and oceans.
