ROME: 3 September 2010 -- Forty three new (though some are old
hands at the job) missionaries have gathered in Rome at Gerini, on the
via Tiburtina, as part of their orientation course for the 141st
Mission Expedition of the Congregation. Of particular interest
for our region is the number of missionaries originating from there, or
indeed coming to the region.
Of the 43 (not all have been able to obtain a visa
for this first part of the experience) 16 are from the EAO region. The
bulk (11) of these are from Vietnam and in the 25-32 age range,
students for priesthood or brothers (3). Four are from the
Indonesia-East Timor vice province and one from Korea, this latter
being an older man, a priest. Five of those originating from EAO will
be going elsewhere within the region. The others are spreading to the
world's continents: Europe, South America, Africa in particular.
Coming to the region, excepting those who are moving
within it, are four new missionaries, coming from as far afield as
Africa and the US. It is worth noting that India is the next largest
missionary provider in the Salesian world - 8 this time.
Africa has now firmly taken its place as a provider
of missionaries. This year's group includes 6 coming from AFO, AET,
AFC, AFE, AGL and ATE, so a mix of English and French speakers.
The preparation, of course, began in the home
province, with a long period of discernment, assisted by the 'Criteria
for Discernment of Missionary Vocations' put out by the Missions
Department. The current orientation course will be based first in Rome
then in 'Don Bosco' territory, culminating in the presentation of the
mission cross in the Basilica of Mary Help of Christians at Valdocco on
26 September. _________________ AustraLasia is an
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Rome.
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