I Invite Austrians to sing God’s praises
with the same melody of love but with a new rhythm!
W hen I was in the Noviciate, after the short visit of
one of the Provincials from Spain who presented
to us the reality of the Salesians and the scarcity
of vocations in that country, I thought: “We are 22 Novices
for two Provinces; why not give 3 or 5 to Spain so as to help
them start anew?” But I soon forgot about it until the visit of
Fr. Alencherry when he presented to us 60 Post-novices the
missionary needs of the congregation. During the 26th Gen-
eral Chapter I read the “goodnight” of the Provincial of
Vietnam where he spoke of the difficulties they go through
to continue the work of Don Bosco. This made me decide to
talk to my Rector and, later, to my Provincial.
With their permission I presented my application to go to the missions and the Rector Major sent
me to Austria. Certainly, it was not easy for me to decide to become a missionary. I thought of my for-
mer Province ATE, the confreres, my Family, the typical Salesian African dynamism. But, when God
calls there is no way I could turn away from him.
The Course for New Missionaries in Rome and Turin prepared
me to face a new reality in a new world with a new Culture. When I
go through thick and thin, I remember what I learnt during the
course. Sometimes, I smile when I realise that what was predicted
during the course really happens. Forewarned is forearmed!
But I draw strength from my personal prayer. The confreres
too are another great Pillar. They help me stand and overcome my
tough moments of initial introduction to a new culture, new Province
with love and understanding.
“Go into the whole World…” As a missionary in Austria I see
myself as a bearer of the Gospel; one who invites God´s children to
sing the same melody of love but with a new rhythm. Some sort of a “remix”! If young people no longer
come to us, we need to go to them. When we go to them, it is Don Bosco who goes to them. The idea of
being another Don Bosco helps me to be in contact with young people. But an African Don Bosco often
surprises people. Yet, I consider it as a good opportunity to establish a new form of friendship.
With the love and support of all my confreres, Austria, which was a foreign land for me, is now
becoming more and more my homeland!
Cl. Simplice Tchoungang
Cameroonian, missionary in Austria
Salesian Missionary Intention
AFRICA - For young Salesians in Africa who are preparing for the Priesthood
That Salesian candidates for the priesthood in Africa may grow as true
disciples of Christ the good shepherd who lays down his life totally for
the good of his sheep
The Lord continues to call many young people of the African continent to the
consecrated and priestly life. Today there are several Salesian communities in
Africa and three theological study centres which accompany over 150 Salesian
candidates to the priesthood through the last stage of formation in Lubum-
bashi (Democratic Republic of Congo) Nairobi (Kenya) and Yaounde
(Cameroon). We pray that they may grow as true followers of Christ the good shepherd who offers his
whole life for the good of his sheep.
All previous issues of "Cagliero 11" are available at purl.org/sdb/sdl/Cagliero
