Cagliero11_2020_07_en


Cagliero11_2020_07_en

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N. 139 - July 2020
Newsletter for Salesian Missionary Animation
Publication of the Missions Sector for the Salesian Communities and Friends of the Salesian Mission
Dear friends,
W e are still in the grip of Covid-19. In the north-
ern hemisphere, July is a busy month when
everyone takes time to enjoy summer with
family and friends. In the southern hemisphere,
July is the middle of the scholastic year when schools take a
mid-year break from their hectic activities. In the tropics,
schools are starting their new year. Wherever we are, this
July will certainly not be like those we have known in the
past. As the lockdown is gradually eased, policymakers and
experts are discussing how to avoid a new wave of the virus.
Can we still go back to schools, restaurants and offices, and keep the coronavirus away? Experts warn that
we may have to continue living at least partially isolated for many months to come. We will still be
discouraged from touching our friends and, in some cases, even members of our family. Face mask, hand
sanitizer and other personal protective equipment will be with us for quite some time.
Many call it the 'new normal'. No one is yet clear yet how it is going to last. This 'new normal' will depend
on various unknowns because the world as we know it is dissolving. After it awaits us a new world, whose
shape we can at least imagine. Indeed, we need to ask ourselves why we would even want to return to the
pre-COVID-19 world. I would wish that the 'new normal' would mean moving away from social inequality,
environmental degradation and economic greed to something better. I would like to think that our 'new
normal' would be deeply permeated by Don Bosco's missionary spirit: abandoning the complacent attitude
that says: 'We have always done this'; rethinking with courage and creativity our objectives, structures,
style and methods of evangelization; walking together as partners, networking, coordinating, fostering
educational-pastoral discernment (Evangelii Gaudium, 33). May being inflamed by missionary zeal be our
'new normal'!
Fr Alfred Maravilla SDB, Mission Councillor
F rom Don Rua to Don Ricceri. With Don Rua, the expansion
in Europe and the Middle East continued and missionary
expeditions expanded to almost all of America. Fascinating
presences are opened in India and China. Under his successors,
missionary expansion continued in all five continents. Always at
the service of the Church, Salesians assumed various ecclesiasti-
cal jurisdictions; in Equatorial Amazonia: the Apostolic Vicariate
(VA) of Méndez (1892); in Brazilian Amazonia: the Prelatures of
Guiratinga,(1924), Rio Negro, Brazil (1925), Porto Velho (1925),
Humaità, (1949); in Venezuelan Amazonia: VA of Puerto
Ayacucho (1964). Also, the VA of Chaco Paraguayo (1948) and
the Prelature of Mixe, Mexico (1966). In Africa, the diocese of
Sakania, Zaire (1959). In India, the Archdiocese of Shillong-
Guwahati (1969) and the dioceses of Krishnagar (1934), Dibrugarh (1951),
Tura (1973), Kohima-Imphal (1973). Also in Asia: the Diocese of Oita, Japan (1961) and Surat-Thani Thai-
land (1969); and the Apostolic Prefecture of Lashio, Burma (1975). We need to take special note of the
miraculously fruitful mission of North East India during this period. After the Vatican Council II, with Fr
Ricceri, the missions were updated through a renewed ecclesiology and missiology.
Project Africa. With Fr Viganò, at GC21 (1978), “Project Africa” was launched, involving the entire
Congregation and also lay missionary volunteers. It became the most important missionary movement of
the Church after Vatican Council II. There dawned also a new missionary spring for the Congregation.
Salesian presences grew from 14 countries of Africa to 43 countries (2020). It has grown greatly in vitality,
and aroused many missionary vocations for the whole world.
Project Europe Today and the “New Frontiers”. Don Chávez officially launched a different missionary
project at GC26 (2008): "Project Europe”. In a context that needs evangelization and a new evangeliza-
tion, young confreres from all over the Congregation go "ad gentes", integrating themselves into the
provinces of Europe to contribute to the growth of Don Bosco's charism. Today, in a globalised and
transversally multicultural and multi-religious world, the Salesian mission is more urgent than ever. “New
Frontiers” are not only geographical, but socio-cultural, such as among migrants and refugees.

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I am a part of the dream of our father, Don Bosco
I had this restlessness about becoming a missionary
long before the idea of becoming a Salesian came to
me. However, it was in the novitiate that this desire
made its presence persistent, but already from a
Salesian point of view. I manifested to the Master what I
felt God was asking of me. I also recognized that I needed
to go through a process, get rooted in Jesus Christ, get
purified from some things within me and continue in my
normal initial formation.
What was very precious and important was that I was able
to count on people to help me in my discernment. It
meant being able to glimpse and confront God's voice in
all sincerity. It made me keep my feet on the ground,
while knowing also that God was knocking at the door of
my life for something special.
A challenge I faced in my missionary vocation was that of learning to abandon certain paradigms; to
open myself to the freshness of God who was present where I was sent, despite my weaknesses, to be a
sign and bearer of His love. Another element was to confront the other side of the coin of a “first world”
country. I met young people excluded from the educational system. The society rejects some of them
because of their past. They bear scars on their body and soul. No one wants to bet on them, to give them
another chance. Only a few shepherds are willing to walk along with this population that is so delicate,
but also so full of dreams and goals to be achieved.
In my vocation I experience the great joy of recognizing and feeling that I am part of a dream, a
dream of our father Don Bosco, which has become a reality over the years.
When I landed in my mission land, two things impressed me. They are:
1. Senior Salesian confreres who are happy with their choice of life as Salesians, and to see them often
with that feeling of fulfilment from a life given to the poorest and most needy young people.
2. It is true that there are not many practicing Christians in Barcelona / Spain. However, it is equally
true that meeting a young person, a lay person, a married couple who live their Christianity
in depth, and who give of themselves to the Salesian Mission without any reservation – that is very
edifying for me as a Salesian.
One must know how to abandon oneself completely into the hands of God. It needs, beyond all
doubt, a process of discernment along with a companion. If God is the source of our interest, God will
sustain it and in God it will bear fruit. Only, trust and also work hard on what God asks of you.
Isrrael Hernández, Venezuelan missionary in Spain
Witness of Salesian Missionary Sanctity
Fr. Pierluigi Cameroni SDB, Postulator General for the Causes of Saints
Blessed Michael Rua (1837-1910), Don Bosco's first successor. In the Salesian Bulletin of
January 1902 he wrote to the Cooperators as follows: "First of all, I feel it my duty to
ask you to note that we have, everywhere this year, continued to give multitudes of
young people entrusted to us, that civil and religious instruction which will give them
happiness in life. There are several hundred thousand young people in various parts of
the world who enjoy the benefit of your charity towards the children of Don Bosco; even
those who live in their families but attend our day and evening schools, or our festive
Oratories. Oh! how dear it is to us that so many of these young people who, if
abandoned to themselves would perhaps have become one day the unwanted of their
community, now grow up to be good and honest citizens. There even are many who,
chosen by God, abandon the world to become apostles among their companions, or join
the Salesian family to do to others what others have done for them.”
For Families in Africa
Salesian Missionary Intention
That they may be accompanied with love,
respect and guidance.
One of Africa's greatest treasures is the importance accorded
to the family. Let us pray that we may educate young people
to preserve the rich traditions of family life. May they form
families imbued with the light of the Gospel.