5071(I)_Gratitude to missionaries is the strongest inspiration for Vietnamese Salesians
April 25, 2019
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, 24 April 2019 -- More than 44 Salesian Brothers and Priests were sent to Vietnam between 1941 and 1975 to established the Salesian mission in this country. Although a good number of them were of European origin, the great majority of them were sent from the Mother Province of Mary Help of Christian - China. Their life witness still motivates the youth and members of the Salesian Family until now!
During the current school year 2018-2019, the Salesian Mission Animation team shares with the whole provincial community the fruits of the 2018 Salesian Mission Day - 16 testimonials of the few living missionaries (Br. Cesare Bullo - Ethiopia, Fr. Lagger) and witnessing to those who have already passed away, like the Servant of God Fr Andre Majcen (Don Bosco of Vietnam, 1905-1999) and many senior SDB and Alumni of Don Bosco who have been educated by these 44 missionaries.
Indeed, the resplendent life witness of the late missionaries continues to inspire many young candidates and young Salesians to dedicate their whole life for the missio ad gentes, the presence of more than 100 SDB from Vietnam in other 40 or more provinces around the five continents has its roots in the witness of those 44 Salesian missionaries who worked in Vietnam during the early days of our presence.
Together with the Vietnamese translation of the 'Initial Proclamation of Jesus Christ Today' (Edited by Fr Alfred Maravilla and published by Don Bosco in Vietnam), this simple token of gratitude to the former missionaries becomes another inspiration to keep the missionary flame burning brightly!
Thanks to Fr Peter Cong (Provincial delegate for mission animation) and his team, and all those who contribute to the production of these simple but inspiring tools, that can reach and wake up many young Catholics and Salesians!
