Cagliero11_2019_10_en


Cagliero11_2019_10_en

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N. 130 - October 2019
Newsletter for Salesian Missionary Animation
Publication of the Missions Sector for the Salesian Communities and Friends of the Salesian Mission
"And the Salesians of Don Bosco, where are they in this Extraordinary Missionary Month?" "What are they doing?”
The simple and baffling answer could be: they hold on to and
cause to shine forth the ‘da mihi animas coetera tolle’ -
in silence or noisily, under the spotlight or hidden away.
Yes, our missionary heart, the heart of Don Bosco himself,
is filled with the apostolic passion of Jesus.
This is undoubtedly the best Salesian contribution of
this month.
Without a doubt, the most beautiful and eloquent gift
of the Salesians to the Church, to Pope Francis and
to the young people of the whole world during this
very special month is the 150th Missionary Expedition.
From all over the world and for all the world.
From all ages - Salesians aged 23 to 80 .
For young people! Salesian clerics and coadjutors.
To revive and maintain that November 11, 1875.
And we are preparing for the 150th anniversary of that
glorious missionary date, which will be November 11, 2025.
At the same time, are actively present in very strategic
missionary fronts, such as: the remote oceanic islands with the
dream of "landing" in Vanuatu; the Amazon and a significant
presence not only in the deep jungle but also now, this month,
at the Synod; the prophecy and heroic service in favour of refugees
and immigrants in Europe; the Samaritan presence of Don Bosco in the refugee camps
of Africa; the luminous Christian witness, and even martyrdom, among young people in
nations with a Muslim majority or an Orthodox Christian majority.
The Holy Father, Pope Francis, thank you for this Extraordinary Missionary Month!
The Salesians of Don Bosco, here we are. With the lamps on! Missionary sentries of the young!
(ANS - Turin) - On 29 September, the
Rector Major of the Salesians, Fr Ángel
Fernández Artime, presided at the
Eucharistic celebration of the 150th
Missionary Expedition during which he
consigned the missionary cross to 36
Salesians and 13 Daughters of Mary
Help of Christians in the presence of his
Vicar, Fr Francesco Cereda, of the
General Councilor for the Missions, Fr
Guillermo Basañes, the Mother General
of the Daughters of Mary Help of
Christians, Mother Yvonne Reungoat, and
Sr. Alaíde Deretti, Councilor for the
Missions.
In front of the statue of Don Bosco in the
courtyard of the Basilica of Mary Help of
Christians, the Rector Major, together
with the 36 new SDB missionaries of the
150th Expedition, began to
prepare the ground to launch the 2019 missionary appeal, which he will do, as every year, for the
feast of the Immaculate, December 8th. Surrounded by the Salesian missionaries of the 150th
Expedition, the Rector Major wished to make the appeal to all the Salesians in the world from this
very courtyard that saw the beginnings of our family and the consolidation of the Salesian
charism.
Taking place immediately preceding this moment, in the theater of the Oratory of Valdocco, was
the very youthful and media-savvy presentation of the 12 new FMA missionaries, by Sr. Alaíde
Deretti, Councilor for the Missions, and of the 36 new SDB missionaries, by Fr Guillermo Basañes,
General Councilor for the Missions, in three groups of "12 apostles". The recorded interviews of
several missionaries are lively and definitely worth seeing. The event was broadcast live by Rete 7
and on various Facebook channels.

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150th EXPEDITION
In the Eucharistic celebration,
during the homily, the Rector
Major emphasized the fact that
today is a day of great celebra-
tion for the Congregation, the
Institute and for the Church, in
what is this 150th Missionary
Expedition, 144 years after the
first expedition of 1875, without
interruption, even during the
two terrible world wars.
Fr Á.F. Artime highlighted an
interesting point. In the office
of the Councilor for the Missi-
ons, there is the Book of Missio-
naries, which records 9,542
Salesian missionaries sent by
the Rectors Major from this Basilica in the 150 Expeditions ... It seems that the real total number of those
sent is more than 10,400. Our Congregations are recognized for the education and evangelization of the
young, and with these numbers, we can safely say we are indeed and truly a missionary Institute and Con-
gregation. The fire of love for Jesus has not allowed us to remain closed within four walls; on the contrary.
The most important point is precisely that Jesus is at the center of our lives: God calls us and sends us ...
to share life, to give ... To witness Jesus with life, with the example of charity, with great respect for the
diversity of each and every one... The Salesian response to the extraordinary missionary month - October
2019, launched by Pope Francis - is this missionary sending, to enrich the presence of Jesus in all
continents.
The Rector Major, during the homily, then presented three examples of particular witnesses, since the
world wants witnesses and not teachers / professors.
Monsignor Marcello Melani: Italian of origin, missionary for many years in Argentina. Once he finished his
service as bishop in Patagonia (diocese of Neuquén), he returned to the province to which he belonged and
served as parish priest and catechist. He felt ready to answer to the call of the Pope and the Rector Major,
and his availability was accepted. He will go to Peru.
Fr Bashir Souccar: Syrian, 71 years old, expert in running the oratory with Muslims. From the MOR Province
he made himself available and will go to Tunisia ... to bring the joy of the oratory, especially among young
Muslims.
Fr Germain Plakoo-Mlapa: Togolese, he was present at the martyrdom of both Fr César Antonio Fernández
(February 2019) and of Fr Fernando Hernández (May 2019), which took place in Burkina Faso; he was next to
both and does not know why he was not killed too. Now he is here, recovering, and his heart is full of sere-
nity and peace because he knew how to forgive and continues to live with the heart full of Jesus and his
love. Here is the testimony of life beyond words.
by Fr Gianni Rolandi, sdb
Witness of Salesian Missionary Sanctity
Fr. Pierluigi Cameroni SDB, Postulator General for the Causes of Saints
The Servant of God Don Elia Comini (1910-1944). The 75th anniversary of his death at the
hands of the Nazis occurs on 1 October. He defended some people taken prisoner and offered
his life for their salvation. In 1928 he had written in his Diary, "My study during the coming
year must be in a particular way to know the spirit of Don Bosco: joy, confidence, empathy,
tenderness felt and lived; family spirit, sweetness in my behaviour, serene and continuous
vigilance, union with God. A great and holy programme that Don Bosco himself would make
for me. Perhaps I tend towards mediocrity, a bad thing that I have never liked and that I
cannot even suffer in others. Life, courage, fire."
For a missionary spring
In the Church
Salesian Missionary Intention
That many may feel the missionary call in our Salesian Family -
the young, the lay, the religious - to collaborate in the
proclamation of the Gospel to the ends of the earth.
The Church celebrates a special Missionary Month this year, in memory of
the 100th anniversary of Maximum Illud; the Congregation will send its 150th
Missionary Expedition. Let us pray that missionary fervour may always be
present throughout our Youth Ministry.