austraLasia #2261

"Humble, steadfast and strong": Blogger from 139

ROME/TURIN: 25th September 2008 -- The 139th Missionary Expedition has now headed out for Turin, a visit to the places where Don Bosco was born, grew up, lived, prayed, worked.  On Sunday 28th the group will be at the Basilica in Valdocco to receive their missionary cross from the Rector Major.  Before departing, Bro Carmelo Martinez from the Philippines (FIN originally but will now be FIS), who will be heading out to Pakistan in due course, gave us a page from his blog. It provides good insight into the group, and what a 'missionary expedition' preparation is like, in terms of the tradition that now goes back some 140 years.
    "We've been at the Generalate for a little more than a week [as he wrote at the time]. The missiology course started in the evening of September 13 with the talk of Fr Klement. We're supposed to be 26 in this course but one was unable to come due to some problems with his visa, so now there are 25 preparing for the 139th missionary expedition.
    How would I summarise the past week we've spent here? Well, it's been a great journey for all of us. The time we've been together has definitely been a wonderful source of inspiration, encouragement and strength - from the formal sessions and conferences organised and facilitated by Frs Klement, Alfred (Maravilla) and Joseph (Puthenparakal); the talks of our very special guest speakers, among them the Rector Major, Br Cluadio (Marangio), Frs Filiberto (Gonzalez Plasencia) and Francesco (Cereda); the prayers and liturgical celebrations highlighting the various cultures/nations we're representing, to the football matches after lunch every day - despite the injuries that came with them [one ended up in hospital!]; the pilgrimages to the great churches and holy places here in Rome; the friendships formed and forged in the ordinary interactions of every day.
    One need not wonder why time at the Pisana moves faster than usual given this tight schedule we have.
    Wednesday 24th September we entered the second phase of this formation. We are moving to Turin and visiting our Salesian holy places. I am certain that this will be another rich and enriching experience for all of us.
    We're savouring every minute we have here (not only for the fine food served at table); nourishing ourselves with every opportunity and experience provided us to grow "humble, steadfast and strong", to be able to live out faithfully and creatively this special gift of our missionary vocation, especially when we will be already there in the places we are sent to.  Ciao!"
   
  _________________
 AustraLasia is an email service for the Salesian Family of Asia Pacific.  It also functions as an agency for ANS based in Rome.  For queries please contact admin@bosconet.aust.com . Use Bosconet-wiki to be interactive. RSS feeds - just go to Bosconet, click on austraLasia 2008 in the sidebar. You will see the RSS orange icon in your browser address bar - add it from there.  Avail yourself of the Salesian Digital Library athttp://sdl.sdb.org

Title: australasia 2261
Subject and key words: SDB General, EAO Provinces FIN, FIS, missionary expedition
Date (year): 2008
ID: 2000-2099|2261