Dalat, Vietnam, 26 May 2021 -- During the past few months we have witnessed a 'pandemic style' special missionary send off from the General House and from some provinces, where the new missionaries (2020 - 151st expedition) received their missionary crucifix by DHL and instead of the Rector Major, and their provincial was the one presiding at their missionary 'send-off'.

From our personal experience we know that almost every missionary vocation comes about as a result of the attractive missionary life witness of other missionaries, so we can trace an 'ongoing chain of Salesian missionary vocation attraction' since 1875 until now.

As with every other year, this academic year 2020-2021 too the third year postnovices in the Don Rua community in Dalat (Vietnam) handed over their missionary application to their superiors earlier on - last year. Their applications always reveal a serious discernment during their previous years of initial formation. Indeed many of them already during their Aspirantate or Prenovitiate period have been in touch with the missionaries who return to Vietnam for a family visit, and their testimonials refer to these missionary dreams.

"... After a careful discernment and in dialogue with my spiritual director... I present to you, dearest Fr Ángel, my desire to be a Salesian missionary ad exteros, ad gentes and ad vitam.

As a sign of my total availability to the Lord, I am willing to go to any part of the Congregation where you want to send me. However knowing well my limitations, I would prefer to be sent to a poor country.

I present this application freely and without any coercion. I promise to give my strength to whom I will be sent.... yours sincerely..."

While we remember with gratitude all senior living missionaries in the EAO region, we pray that the burning flame of Salesian missionary vocation ad gentes will be passed to the younger generation. The simplest but most effective missionary animation is to let the missionaries share their vocation story.