SALESIAN MISSION TERRITORIES
SALESIANS MINISTERING
AMIDST WAR IN SUDAN
TONJ: An Important Salesian
Presence
In the face of all this suffering, the
Salesians have maintained a presence
in Sudan experiencing the threats of
violence, hunger, and the desperation
of a people forcibly evicted from their
homes. In Tonj, the Salesians have
been caring for people escaping the
marauding forces.
The work in Tonj has not been easy.
The Center was forced to shut down its
operations for a number of years during
the most violent stage of the war. One
Salesian was held prisoner by the
guerrillas for eighteen months. The
buildings were sacked. It has only been
since the beginning of 2002 that the
Salesians have been able to be an
active presence in the city once again,
and they have returned with great
enthusiasm and zeal.
A fter two decades of genocidal war in
Sudan, where hatred and ethnic intolerance
prevailed, a peace accord was signed in
April, 2005. Africa’s longest and bloodiest
civil war was finally showing signs of an
ending. Sudan has been so bloodied and
terrorized by lawlessness that it will take
generations to recuperate from the horrors
perpetrated there. Darfur in Sudan had
become famous as the world’s worst
manmade humanitarian crisis of our time
because of unparalleled inhumanity against
one’s countrymen.
Just getting to Tonj can be a difficult
task. The only time that trucks can
make the journey to Tonj is during the
dry season and providing essential goods to
the people is a constant problem, both
because of the cost and the dangers of
journeying for two days in an area where
lawlessness is rampant.
The “Don Bosco Mission Center” in Tonj
is an oasis in the desert of death that
surrounds it. The people are able to find
renewed trust and hope for the future. The
Center is jointly administered by the
Salesians of Don Bosco and the Salesian
Sisters and its ministries include: a large
parish, a school, a medical clinic, and a
leprosarium.
Because schools were shut down for
nearly twenty years, the educational
level of the people has suffered. But
they are eager to learn, and their thirst
for knowledge and formal education is
strong. Classes on the most primary
level are attended by students who
range in age from 6 to 16. Adult
education has students from 17 to 50.
Playing catch-up for years of neglect
means that everyone is at the most
rudimentary level of education, but their
eagerness to advance is very evident to
be seen.
(to be continued)
“And let the peace of Christ control your hearts, the peace into which you
were also called in one body. And be thankful.” (Colossians 3:15)
MISSIONARY CLUB MEETING
The gathering, which intended to echo the Versiglia-
Caravario Bible Service last February was held on Sunday, 2:00-
4:00pm, May 6, 2007at Room 310, St. John Bosco Parish
Center, Makati. The 40 participants came from the different
Youth Ministries. Majority of them were
from the Don Bosco Pugad, Home for
streetchildren and Migrant Youth.
It started with the praying of the
Holy Rosary. It was followed by a short
welcome address and introduction by Ms.
Bheng Cuasito, a salesian lay missionary
volunteer and mission animation staff.
After a few moments of silent reflection,
Bro.L.A.Custodio, a diocesean seminarian
gave a recapitulation of the life of the
Salesian Protomartyrs. His message was
also based on the theology of love found
in the Encyclical Deus Caritas Est.
According to him, “to love is essentially to
be vulnerable…open to wounds, yet open to life. Just as Jesus
witnessed to the Father’s AGAPE, so must we, with utmost
EROS witness to Him like what the martyrs did.” He also stated
that in gossips, “it is easier to destroy people than to edify. Like
venom, we feel “high” knowing that there are people who are
worse than us.” It is about the “itch” that our tongues have in
telling bad tales about others. Our “itch” ought to be re-
channeled to telling the Good News: Eu+Aggelion. This is the
news that saves. This is the news that edifies. Tell the world of
His Love! The message ended with a
call to action and commitment for the
participants to spend their time,
treasure and talent to be members of
the Missionary Club. It is a powerful
means to express one’s love for those
who have not yet heard of the Gospel.
After the sermon, the
participants proceeded to the group
dynamics to share their insights and
personal suggestions on evangelization.
Some of them reflected upon the
necessity of propagating God’s love
story with humanity. Most of them were
touched by the lives of countless
martyrs and saints. According to them love is the sole uniform
of every Christian disciple. Although there is no state in the
world in which love is legislated, it is still the voice of Christ
trying to permeate all cultures that compels us to follow His
example. He did not just talk about it. He walked the talk.
