Salesian Mission Day 2015

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Lord, I Have a Missionary Soul (Alma misionera, Hermana Glenda)

Señor, toma mi vida nueva antes de que la espera desgaste años en mi.

Estoy dispuesto a lo que quieras no importa lo que sea Tu llámame a servir Llévame donde los hombres necesiten tus palabras, necesiten, tus ganas de vivir.

Donde falte la esperanza, donde falte la alegría, simplemente, por no saber de ti.

SALESIAN MISSIONARY VOCATION SMD 2015

Te doy, mi corazón sincero, Para gritar sin miedo lo hermoso que es tu amor.

Tendré mis manos sin cansancio, tu historia entre mis labios, y fuerza en la oración.

Lévame donde los hombres...

Y así, en marcha iré cantando, Por pueblos predicando tu grandeza Señor.

Señor, tengo alma misionera, condúceme a la tierra, que tenga sed de Dios.

Llévame donde los hombres...

Llévame donde los hombres necesiten tus palabras, necesiten, tus ganas de vivir.

Donde falte la esperanza, donde falte la alegría, simplemente, por no saber de ti. simplemente, por no saber de ti.

Music: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iIFZRYXgIoA

Contents Poster . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 Lord, I have a Missionary Soul (Alma misionera) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 “Lord, Send Me!”: Explanation of the Salesian Mission Day 2015 Poster . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3 Letter of the Rector Major . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-5 Letter of the Councillor for the Missions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-7 Salesian Mission Day – A Continuing Tradition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8-9 How Don Bosco Launched Himself into His Involvement with the Missions... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10-11 A Panorama of Salesian Missionary Expeditions 1875-2014 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12-13 “Lord, Send Me...” Video . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14-15 Gallery of Salesian missionaries Salesian Missionary Holiness ... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16-17 Salesian Spirituality for Our Missionaries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18 • Cardinal John Cagliero (1838-1926) The First Salesian Missionary... . . . . . . . . . . . .19 • Bishop Louis Versiglia and Fr. Callistus Caravario, Missionaries and Martyrs . . . . .20 • Fr. Francis Convertini, Everyone’s Friend (1898-1976) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21 • Fr. Andrej Majcen, The Don Bosco of Vietnam (1904-1999) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22 • Mr. Attilio Giordani, Missionary of the Oratory (1913-1972) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23 The Specific Nature of the Salesian Missions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24-25 How does a Missionary Vocations Come into Being ... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26-27 Discernment of a Missionary Vocation ad gentes-ad extra-ad vitam... . . . . . . . . . .28 Missionary Formation of the Salesians of Don Bosco . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29 Available Teaching Materials . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30 How to Interview Missionaries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31 Prayer 2015 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32

EXPLANATION OF THE SALESIAN MISSION DAY 2015 POSTER

“Lord, send me!” is a faith-filled response to the call of the Lord who sends us out ‘to the whole world’ to proclaim His Kingdom. The Salesian missionary heart responds generously and courageously as it did in the case of Don Bosco. “Lord, send me!” is not just a prayer to send missionaries but it also includes a prayer for the Christian community to which one is sent to offer one’s whole life.

The Lord continues to ask: “Whom shall I send?’’ (Is 6:8). The SMD poster is an invitation to pray the Lord to reawaken in the hearts of many Salesians a passionate missionary response to this urgent question.

In the upper part of the poster we see the photo of the first missionary expedition of November 11, 1875, while in the lower section we see the following: a Salesian missionary being send off today, the door of the Salesian house which is always open to all and a missionary community.

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LETTER of Rector Major 25 February 2014 - Feast of the Holy Proto-Martyrs Sts. Louis Versiglia and Callistus Caravario

In the year 2015, I propose the theme ‘Lord, send me…’ It is a phrase from the Holy Scripture in which the Lord turns to Isaiah and asks, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” And Isaiah answered, “Here I am, send me!” (Is 6,8). My hope and prayer is that these words become the voice in all our hearts, as a sign of full availability for the mission and a generosity that comes from an unlimited love for God and neighbour.

In addition to this phrase which will become the underlying motivation of our commitment, I want to introduce here some fundamental reasons for celebrating the Salesian Mission Day.

SALESIAN MISSIONARY VOCATION SMD 2015

Dear Confreres and Friends of the Salesian missions, On the eve of the 27th General Chapter, I greet you with the heart of Don Bosco, wishing you a renewed missionary zeal. This is what Pope Francis asks of us in the Apostolic Exhortation Evangelii Gaudium when he invites us to live in a “permanent state of mission” (EG n.25). I am writing this letter on the Feast of Sts. Louis Versiglia and Callistus Caravario, Salesian missionaries and our Holy Proto-Martyrs. We thank the Lord for the gift of so many Salesians who, especially in the missions, have given their testimony in martyrdom to the Lord Jesus, Crucified and Risen, and to His Gospel.

I am invited to suggest a theme that will help the entire Congregation and the people who are close to us in spirit and in concrete action to strengthen the missionary culture in our provinces and transform into reality the dream of the Holy Father: that the Church may be open to “a missionary option ... that is capable of transforming everything” (EG 27).

1. Contemplating the Missionary Heart of Don Bosco We have been preparing diligently over a three-year period for the bicentenary of the birth of Don Bosco. We have tried to deepen our knowledge of his person and of his history, to study and update the preventive system, and to be inspired by his spirituality.

This will enable us also to discover his innate missionary vocation. It is no surprise, then, that immediately after the definitive approval of the Congregation in 1874, Don Bosco organized his first missionary expedition on 11 November 1875. Today, 140 years later, we can contemplate with wonder and gratitude how that little seed planted outside Europe has grown into a mighty tree whose branches reach more than 130 coun-

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tries worldwide. We cannot but marvel at the fact that the two congregations, SDB and FMA, which Don Bosco founded specifically to help young people at risk, are now among the most important missionary congregations of the Catholic Church. It is my wish that Salesian Mission Day 2015 will help us to understand and contemplate the heart of our beloved Father and Founder, full of apostolic and missionary zeal.

2. Rediscovering the Dynamics of the Missionary Zeal of Don Bosco and His Salesians This is the second goal we propose in this year of grace for the Salesian Congregation.

The Salesian charism of Don Bosco is implanted in more than 130 countries, and still produces abundant apostolic fruit. Thanks to the 11,000 and more Salesians sent by Don Bosco and his successors in numerous missionary expeditions. In the light of this phenomena, we should ask ourselves: What prompted Don Bosco and so many Salesians to reach out to the ends of the earth? The best expression of the prayer Da mihi animas, cetera tolle can be seen in the apostolic and missionary spirit of Don Bosco. His desire for the salvation of souls, especially of young people, extended in an unlimited love from the young migrants in Turin to the mission ad gentes in America. We can benefit greatly from the profound knowledge and personal interiorization of the otivations of Don Bosco and of our missionaries who have been sent around the world.

Dear friends, I invite you to accept the challenge of studying with interest and passion the story, the spiritual experience and the apostolic life of our great missionaries. If we can rediscover their aspirations and their interiority, their generous lives and the intensity of their self-giving, we will be able to revive the missionary culture in every province and local community. This will enable us to respond to the invitation of Pope Francis to join with the Church in going out generously to meet God in the world of young people in the cities, suburbs and slums, especially where Christ is not known yet.

I commend Salesian Mission Day 2015 to the intercession of Mary, Mother of the Church.

3. Sharing Missionary Spirituality as an Expression of the Radical Witness This is the third point I want to propose.

The best way to get to know Christian spirituality is from the radical evangelical witness of the saints. In fact, the best pages of Salesian history are those written by the SDB and the FMA missionaries. They make us understand, much better than any documents on animation

Affectionately in Don Bosco,

Don Pascual Chรกvez Villanueva Rector Major

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and missionary spirituality, the key elements that make an SDB, an FMA, a committed layperson or a volunteer, a person led by the Holy Spirit, a missionary, a preacher of the joy of the Gospel and of a new humanity inspired by Gospel values. The register of sanctity of the Salesian Family, has more than 167 members as Saints, Blesseds, Venerables and Servants of God, consisting of religious, lay people , priests, bishops and even young people, who are splendid witnesses of the Salesian charism. There are 114 martyrs. Among the fifty-three non- martyrs, there are as many as twenty-five missionaries or fruits of the first evangelization of missionaries. Knowing the inner life, apostolic spirituality, sacrifice and generosity of our missionaries will help us to understand the preciousness of choices inspired by the radicalism of the Gospel which is the most urgent and meaningful invitation of the 27th General Chapter.

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LETTER of the Councillor for the Missions 25 February 2014 - Feast of the Holy Proto-Martyrs Sts. Louis Versiglia and Callistus Caravario

jority of missionaries ad gentes recognized the first moment of their calling as a result of their direct contact with a missionary. The best form of missionary animation is to get a missionary to talk about his life to the young or to the Christian community.

In today’s world it is very easy to get lost in the action stories namely, what a missionary ‘does’. Instead, we want to propose especially the sharing of the underlying motivations, such as, what prompts a young Salesian to leave his country, his culture, his family and friends to offer himself to be sent without conditions and limitations, and what helps him to overcome the many challenges, difficulties and obstacles in the mission. I invite you to listen to the Lord who speaks to us through the witness of His missionary disciples!

SALESIAN MISSIONARY VOCATION SMD 2015

Dear confreres, Cordial greetings from a missionary disciple on a journey to the ends of the earth! I am happy to share with you the materials for the 28th Salesian Mission Day 2015 – “Lord, send me...” It is a contribution towards the bicentenary of the birth of Don Bosco.

What goals do we want to achieve during this year? First of all, we want to make sure that we ourselves are the first recipients of the Salesian Mission Day. We are invited to rediscover the missionary spirit of our Father and Founder Don Bosco, through the sharing of many stories of the Salesian missionary vocation. I present the following three specific objectives for the SMD 2015:

2. Let the Confreres get to Know the Spirituality of Salesian Missionaries An interview with a missionary in a magazine, be it the Salesian Bulletin or the Provincial Newsletter, or on the Internet (Youtube, Vimeo), could be shared in a goodnight talk which can produce a lot of fruit. It is not always practical to have a personal and a direct contact with a missionary and his activities. Instead, a published interview can help people to understand the motivation of missionaries, the spirituality that sustains them in times of difficulty and urges them to move forward to new frontiers.

For the bicentenary of the birth of Don

1. Arouse Enthusiasm for the ‘Mission ad gentes’ by the Recounting of Missionary Testimonies It is a universal experience that the ma-

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3. Disseminate and Implement the Recommendations of the Document Missionary Formation of Salesians of Don Bosco Thanks to the joint initiative of the departments of Formation and Mission during the past six years (2008-2014), we have made available for the first time, guidelines for the Missionary Formation of the Salesians of Don Bosco, approved by the Rector Major and his Council in January 2013.

During the initial stages of formation every candidate and young salesian, is encouraged to assimilate the dynamics of missionary animation and also to discern a possible call to the ‘mission ad gentes’. The digital material (two DVDs) and the printed

booklet of thirty-two pages produced for the 2015 SMD offer abundant material to be put into practice in all the provinces, especially in the houses of formation or missionary groups. We need to share best practices that help to form a Salesian missionary heart in the new generations. The SMD 2015 encourages an exchange of good practices of missionary formation in groups and missionary movements of the Salesian family in different continents.

Finally, I thank all the confreres involved in the preparation of these materials. In recognition of the close collaboration of the various sectors on behalf of the Salesian Mission, I want to thank especially the members of the Department for Social Communication and Don Bosco Media - Eurofilm of Turin.

I greet you warmly and implore the help of our Mother Mary, the Help of Christians, for all Salesians, lay collaborators and young people, as we walk together with young people to Jesus Christ!

Fr. Václav Klement Councillor for the Missions

SALESIAN MISSIONARY VOCATION SMD 2015

Bosco we want to offer young people, confreres and the whole Salesian Family 200 missionary interviews that will make some great missionary figures of the past, as well as the motivation and the life experience of the young Salesian missionaries of better known.

Confreres involved in social communication and missionary groups in all the provinces are invited to assist in this endeavour.

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Salesian Mission Day A Continuing Tradition

SALESIAN MISSIONARY VOCATION SMD 2015

ities aimed at promoting interest in the missions must always be geared to these specific goals, namely, informing and forming the People of God to share in the Church’s universal mission, promoting vocations ad gentes and encouraging cooperation in the work of evangelisation” (John Paul II, Redemptoris Missio, 83).

When?

There is no fixed date for SMD at the world level. Each Province chooses a date or time which is best suited to its own rhythm and calendar. Certain traditional dates in Provinces (close to Don Bosco’s feast day in January or his birthday in August, Lent, Feast of the holy Missionary MartyrsLouis Versiglia and Callistus Caravario – 25 February; May; October (Month of the missions) or 11 November). It is especially important to offer an educatiive and pastoral set of strategies running over a few weeks – where Salesian Mission Day can be the culmination. SMD expresses the missionary spirit of the entire Educative and Pastoral Community kept alive throughout the year by various initiatives.

What does it Mean?

The Catholic Church has been celebrating the World Mission Sunday since 1926. From the part of the Salesian Congregation a theme for the same has been proposed since 1988. All Salesian communities have an opportunity to get to know a specific mission situation. It is a powerful moment for Salesian Mission Animation in the Provincial and the local communities, youth groups and for the Salesian Family.

It is an opportunity to involve the SDB communities and the Educative and Pastoral Communities (EPC) in the dynamics of the Universal Church, strengthening the missionary culture.

How should it be Animated?

Beginning with a meeting of Rectors/Directors, where the Mission delegate explains the aims and distributes the available materials for SMD in the Province (province web page or a link to www.sdb.org – SMD). In this manner all SDB communities become the first beneficiaries of SMD dynamics. We can focus our attention each year on any one concrete aspect of missionary culture, praying for missionaries who are back in the Province for SMD and providing concrete support towards the various activities in the missions.

Why? It is to give an impulse to mission animation by offering a proposal which becomes a practical program for the year. Again, it is to help the entire Salesian Family to get to know the missionary involvement of the Congregation, and to open the eyes to new missionary circumstances, overcoming every temptation to closure within one’s area or context and to be reminded of the universal outreach of the Salesian charism. “Activ-

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What do We Use? All Salesian communities should have already received a poster, a printed booklet, a DVD with videos on the topic, and a DVD with teaching and audiovisual material in various languages. You may ask for more printed material from the Missions Department, Rome (cagliero11@gmail.com).

DVDs are produced by MDB, Turin which are available on Youtube (http://www.missionidonbosco.tv).

The Importance of Praying for the Missions All EPC members contribute to the missionary activities of the Congregation and the Church through prayer accompanied by sacrifices made for Salesian missionaries and missionary vocations. Eleventh day of every month (Commemoration of the first Salesian Missionary Expedition) is an opportunity to pray for the Salesian Mission Intention. Missionary activities flow out of and are supported by an encounter with God. Therefore each year there is a special prayer prepared for the SMD. Evaluation The evaluation of the SMD is as important as its preparation and its celebration. It should be looked at from the perspective of the event itself and how the entire process has effected a growth towards a missionary culture in the Salesian community and its apostolate.

SMD A continuing tradition (1988 – 2015) Year 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992

Theme s Guinea - Conakry: The dream continue Zambia: Lufubu Project East-Timor – Venilale: Young evangelisers

Paraguay: Street kids Peru-Valle Sagrado Incas: Christ lives on Inca paths Togo-Kara: Don Bosco and Africa 1993 – A dream becomes true Cambodia-Phnom Penh: 1994 Missionaries as peace-builders faith India – Gujarat: In dialogue to share the 1995 ria Russia – Yakutsk: Lights of hope in Sibe 1996 Madagascar: “I say to you, child, get up” 1997 Brazil: Yanomami: New life in Christ 1998 Japan: The Challenging Proclamation of 1999 Christ in Japan Angola: The Gospel as the seed 2000 of reconciliation g Papua New Guinea: Walking with the youn 2001 Missionaries among the young refugees 2002 Involvement for human development 2003 in the missions India – Arunachal Pradesh: 2004 A People awakened Mongolia: A new mission frontier 2005 Sudan: The Salesian mission in Sudan 2006 Sudan: The Salesian mission in Sudan 2007 aHIV/AIDS: The Salesian response- educ 2008 tion for life Mission animation 2009 – Keep the missionary flame alive Europe: The Salesians of Don Bosco 2010 walk with the Gypsies America: Volunteers for proclaiming 2011 the Gospel Asia: Telling the story of Jesus 2012 Africa: Journey of faith 2013 Europe: We are the others 2014 – Salesian focus on migrants “Lord, send me!”

2015 - Salesian missionary vocation

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Who Celerbates it?

The first beneficiaries are the SDB communities. Then, depending on the Province, there are various ways of organising programmes depending on the elements of the Salesian mission which are active in the Province (schools, vocational training centres, parishes, youth groups, missionary groups especially if they have a missionary or volunteer orientation) and Salesian Family Groups (Salesian Cooperators, Past Pupils, ADMA), any groups open to the Salesian movement in its entirety and friends of Don Bosco.

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How Don Bosco Launched Himself into His Involvement with the Missions

SALESIAN MISSIONARY VOCATION SMD 2015

Narrating how Don Bosco, on the evening of 29 January 1875, solemnly announced his decision to send the first group of Salesians to America, historian Eugene Ceria, writes: “Surprise, amazement, enthusiasm resulted in those around him, and finally they burst into joyful applause. In order to judge the impression it had on those who had heard it we need to take ourselves back to those times, when the Oratory was not yet, like it is today, an international setting, and the Congregation still had the air of a family closely focused on its Founder. The impulse given to imagination that day led suddenly to imagining endless horizons, and the already grandiose concept that Don Bosco had of his work was suddenly magnified

greatly. A new story had truly begun for the Oratory and the Salesian Society� (Annals of the Salesian Society I, 249).

Today, we who know of more than a century of this missionary story and exist in a truly international setting, are no longer surprised nor are we so enthusiastic. So I ask myself should it not be rather normal to show amazement, and perhaps with more intensity than a hundred years ago, precisely because we can now contemplate the huge tree that has grown from that small seed planted in 1875. How could one ever imagine a young thirty-year-old priest dragging a crowd of teenagers behind him on the outskirts of Turin could become, by the

time he turned sixty, the founder of Christian communities through those sons of his whom he sent to South America? And how to explain that the two missionary Congregations he founded in 1859 and 1872 explicitly to come to the aid of young people at risk would be numbered, a few decades later, amongst the most important missionary Congregations in the Catholic Church?

Did all this happen by chance? Or was there some internal logic among the apparently unconnected phenomena? “A new story begins”, says Fr Ceria. May be he should have said: “The beginning of the real story of Don Bosco”?

Certainly, to judge Don Bosco and his charism as a founder, we should consider all life and enterprise together. Don Bosco is a rather special kind of a founder. We should not just lock him into the beginning of his work at Valdocco for the youth, as interesting and mostly typical as that may be. He was a founder driven by zeal and pastoral imagination, and never ceased to take new initiatives: in 1875 he sent his first missionaries, but he also founded the Work of Mary Help

of Christians for adult vocations; in 1876, he finally reorganised the Salesian Cooperators; in 1877 he launched the Salesian Bulletin... then, as part of all of this, what did the launching of missionary work mean? In the abundance of the Salesian charism, what does this mission element represent? Let us suppose that Don Bosco died when he was sixty rather than seventy three, at the beginning of 1875, before being able to organise the first missionary expedition, what would have then resulted for the Salesian project?

We could say: a certain Salesian Family would of course have come into being, and it would have grown... but it wouldn’t have been the extensive and lively Family we known of today.

I would like to try to show how missionary involvement - a constitutive element of our charism, is the ultimate development of this charism, its fullness, and precisely for this reason it throws light on the whole charism, highlighting its fundamental features which then allows us to sketch out the face of the true Salesian.

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(Joseph Aubry, SDB the Renewal of our Salesian life, 40-42)

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PANORAMA of Salesian Missionary Expeditions 1875-2014 “...We are beginning a great work... but who knows, may be this departure, this small effort, could be the seed that gives rise to a huge tree...”

From Don Bosco’s homily on 11 November 1875, first missionary expedition departure (MB XI,381).

SALESIAN MISSIONARY VOCATION SMD 2015

“Sent from the Basilica of Mary Help of Christians in Valdocco”

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Italian missionaries who formed the first expedition (11 November 1875).

6 Priests: Cagliero, Fagnano,Cassinis, Tomatis, Baccino and Allavena. 4 Brothers: Scalvini (woodwork teacher), Gioia (cook and shoemaker instructor), Molinari (music teacher) and Belmonte (administrator).

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Salesian Provinces who sent at least one missionary ad gentes at the invitation of GC26 (2008-2014): AET, AFC, AFE, AFO, AFW, ATE, AGL, ANT, ARN, BPA,BRE, CEP, CIL, COM, EST, FIS, FIN, FRB, GER, ICC, ICP, ILE, IME, INE, ISI, INB, INC, IND, ING, INH, INK, INM, INN, INT, ITM, KOR, MDG, MEG, MEM, MYM, PER, PLE, PLN, PLS, POR, SBA, SBI, SLE, SMA, SSE, SLK, SLO, SUE, URU, VIE and ZMB

11.000

Estimation of the number of Salesians sent out on mission over the 144 missionary expeditions that have been sent from the Basilica of Mary Help of Christians. The total number of Salesian missionaries is much larger because many other confreres left directly from their provinces of origin or carried out their missionary life in countries belonging to the province.

20%

Percentage of missionaries among the confreres of the Salesian Congregation at Don Bosco’s death (1888).

374 SDBs

The largest Salesian missionary expedition in Salesian history was in 1929, the year of Don Bosco’s Beatification, when Fr Philip Rinaldi sent 374 SDBs and 167 FMAs as missionaries ad gentes.

6% 31

Percentage of brothers among new SDB missionaries between 2002 and 2013.

Missionary expeditions sent while Fr Michael Rua was Rector Major (1888-1910), four expeditions in 1891; a total of 1465 missionaries.

1st Province

Vietnam is currently the most generous Province in the world. Since its first expedition in 1999 it has offered the Congregation more than 100 missionaries now in 31 Provinces in all continents.

During the years when the work was being founded in Vietnam, around 50 missionaries were sent there. This was 1952 - 1975 (the last missionaries were expelled in 1976).

Source: Morand Wirth, Don Bosco e i Salesiani, LDC 2000; Archives of the Mission Department.

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Rectors Major Don Bosco Fr Rua Fr Albera Fe Rinaldi Fr Ricaldone Fr Ziggiotti Fr Ricceri Fr Viganò Fr Vecchi Fr Chávez

Tenure 1875-1888 1888-1910 1910-1920 1920-1931 1931-1952 1952-1965 1965-1977 1977-1995 1996-2002 2002-2013

Expeditions Missionaries sent 11 158 31 1465 10 604 10 1984 18 2665 13 1455 13 778 17 870 7 222 13 347

Africa 300 Africa 0 Asia 6,200 Europe 0 L. America N. America 2,000 0 Oceania Global total 8,500

Asia 0 250 21,750 0 4,850 50 26,900

L. Amrica 0 0 10,000 300 11,700 0 22,000

Europe 25 20 1,000 25 1,000 50 2,120

350 300 39,950 400 20,400 600 62,000

0 0 300 0 350 400 1,050

25 30 700 75 500 100 1,430

© Edinburgh University Press, 2009

Sent from

T AND RECEIVED (per continent, CHRISTIAN MISSIONARIES SEN Missionary exchange, 2010 Received by Africa 00 17,0 a Afric 700 Asia 21,600 Europe 1,000 rica L. Ame 00 53,1 rica N. Ame 300 ania Oce Global total 93,700

Asia 400 38,400 13,000 1,000 5,700 700 59,200

Europe 2,000 3,600 54,700 5,000 24,000 700 90,000

L. Amrica 200 1,300 36,000 24,000 40,200 300 102,000

N. America 1,000 2,300 4,000 27,100 5,100 700 40,200

2010)

Oceania 100 800 3,500 300 6,900 3,300 14,900

Global 20,700 47,100 132,800 58,400 135,000 6,000 400,000

© Edinburgh University Press, 2009

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Sent from

1910) T AND RECEIVED (per continent, CHRISTIAN MISSIONARIES SEN Missionary exchange, 1910 Received by Global Oceania N. America

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“Lord, send me!”

Go out to all the world...

Don Bosco was responsible for eleven missionary expeditions in his lifetime, but none would exceed the enthusiasm of the first one. Among the many who responded to his invitation, Don Bosco chose six priests and four brothers. It was a momentous occasion for the Congregation and also for the city of Turin! The departure from Valdocco was a solemn one on 11 November 1875.

A missionary era had begun which was to develop across all continents, inculturating the Salesian charism wherever they went: “I always did what I could, and as for what is still left to do, my sons will see to it.” The Salesian Congregation has been missionary since 1875. In 1888 already 20% of all Salesians were living in America. The Congregation continues today to live out this specific vocation generously and enthusiastically.

But why do you want to be a missionary?

What motivates this vocation today, in countries with, may be, a totally different culture, and often very unsafe or very poor conditions?

Bro. Odise (Albania - South Africa, 2013) says: “For me, being a missionary means, being a spokesperson for Christ, bringing the Good News of the Lord’s resurrection, where the joy of the Risen Lord has not yet arrived.” Fr Roberto (Italy - Brazil, 2012) reflects: “From my experience as a Salesian who has often been in the mission lands either in Brazil or Madagascar, I can say the Salesians have a grand aim which is to offer always new hope, new strength, great faith to the new generations.” Fr Sony (India - Sierra Leone, 2012) comments:“The principal scope of mission today is to make Christ known to those who still do not know Him and to point people to God. We live in a world where God is not important and so we must make Christ and His Word known to people in a secularised world.”

“We need to give ourselves totally to God, we need to give ourselves totally to God...” (Don Bosco) Becoming a missionary means understanding that one is personally called to respond to the concrete needs of the Congregation and the Church. Fr Pascual Chávez quotes from the Scripture and explains: “I have seen the suffering of my People. I have heard their cry. I decided to come down” ... beautiful. What’s the first thing about Pope Francis? Seeing things as they are. Seeing things through God’s eyes, seeing how things really are.” Bro. Odise continues to say: “... I had a brief mission experience

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1 “This year, one of the greatest missionaries I believe the Salesian Congregation has had, died. He was Fr Luigi Bolla. I recall him when he came to the generalate... He never asked for money. Fr Luigi arrived here and then spent hours in prayer before the Blessed Sacrament. He was a mystic! He was tucked away in Amazzonia - it took 10 days to reach the place where he lived, and he really had become one with the Achuàr people, he wanted to make God present among them by incarnating Him in their midst” The missionary does not leave as a conqueror. He goes in the name of Christ, inculturating the Salesian charism in the culture and local traditions.

“Give me souls, other things don’t interest me.”

The Rector Major exhorts: “I conclude by giving the missionaries these reminders. The first, I would like you to be very familiar with the Word of God. Because if you have God’s Word in hand you will have God’s way of thinking and you will contemplate the world as God contemplates it. The second - A great love for the Eucharist... And the third, generous service of the poor.”

The missionary vocation is a long story of love between the God who calls and the apostle who answers. It is always God who chooses.

And man is never so great as when he says yes to the God who is passing by and calls.

Fr Louis Bolla: “When the boat left Genoa it was one of the most beautiful moments in my life... It was when the Lord says to you “I am here for you alone” it was a moment of infinite joy.

This is the testimony I would like to leave so that it can encourage young people who often doubt, saying “I’ll go and try it out”. It is better to go and be ready for everything...”

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in Madagascar for about 20 days. I felt the urge within myself of the missionary vocation a little more seeing the needs there. I said that in Italy and Albania there are many of us, almost too many, and here we are very few; we need to do something for the poor, where there is more need in the world.”

Each year, in the Basilica of Mary Help of Christians in Turin, the tradition of sending off and saying goodbye to the missionaries continues. It is a solemn and moving occasion. When they are given the crucifix and a fraternal embrace, a personal and community journey is completed. The Councillor for the Missions, Fr Václav Klement exhorts: “The first thought that comes to my mind, a very strong one as we prepare for the bicentenary of Don Bosco’s birth, is to thank the Holy Spirit who has led us over these years to be instruments of God. For sure, this small group of missionaries coming from all over the world is a symbol. It is a small group but it helps us to be in mission, helps us to walk as the Church wants us to, as Pope Francis wants us to, to go out into the streets of the world”.

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Gallery of Salesian Missionaries Salesian Missionary Holiness

Louis Versiglia

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Artemides Zatti

Callistus Caravario

Maria Romero Meneses

Vincent Cimatti Simon Srugi

Attilio Giordani

Stephen Ferrando

Laura Vicuña

Louis Variara

Ceferino Namuncurà

Maria Troncatti

Rudolph Komorek

Laura Meozzi

Ottavio Ortiz

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Francis Convertini

Joseph Vandor

Orestes Marengo

Matilde Salem

Charles Della Torre

Antonietta Böhm

Saint Louis VERSIGLIA, Salesian bishop, martyr (Italy - China) Saint Callistus CARAVARIO, Salesian priest, martyr (Italy - China) Blessed Laura VICUÑA, teenager (Chile - Argentina) Blessed Louis VARIARA, Salesian priest (Italy - Colombia) Blessed Artemides ZATTI, Salesian brother Charles (Italy - Argentina) Crespi Croci Blessed Maria Romero MENESES, religious sister FMA (Costa Rica - Nicaragua) Blessed Ceferino NAMUNCURÀ, youth (Argentina) Blessed Maria TRONCATTI, religious sister FMA (Italy - Ecuador) Venerable Vincent CIMATTI, Salesian priest (Italy - Japan) Venerable Simon SRUGI, Salesian brother (Holy land) Andrew Majcen Venerable Rodolph KOMOREK, Salesian priest (Poland - Brazil) Venerable Laura MEOZZI, religious sister FMA (Italy - Poland) Venerable Attilio GIORDANI, Salesian Cooperator (Italy - Brazil) Servant of God Stephen FERRANDO, Salesian bishop (Italy - India) Servant of God Ottavio ORTIZ, Salesian bishop (Peru) Servant of God Francesco CONVERTINI, Salesian priest Anna Maria Lozano (Italy - India) Servant of God Joseph VANDOR, Salesian priest (Hungary - Cuba) Servant of God Charles Crespi CROCI, Salesian priest (Italy - Ecuador) Servant of God Orestes MARENGO, Salesian bishop (Italy - India) Servant of God Andrew MAJCEN, Salesian priest (Slovenia - China, Taiwan, Vietnam) Servant of God Matilde SALEM, Salesian Cooperator Charles Braga (Syria) Servant of God Anna Maria LOZANO, religious sister HH.SS.CC. (Colombia) Servant of God Charles Della TORRE, Salesian priest (Italy - Thailand) Servant of God Charles BRAGA, Salesian priest (Italy - China, Philippines) Servant of God Antonietta BÖHM, religious sister, FMA (Germany - Mexico) Servant of God Costantine VENDRAME, Salesian priest (Italy - India) Costantine Vendrame

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Salesian Spirituality for our Missionaries Missionary activity is not based directly on human abilities.

The key player in the Church’s mission is the Holy Spirit: It is He who calls, enlightens, guides, gives courage and effectiveness; His work shines out resplendently in mission ad gentes. The missiongentes ary is sent to enter into special harmony with the Spirit of the Lord. For us, missionary spirituality is not another spirituality but the same one, intensified and especially enlightened from the point of view of the sending ad gentes (Redemptoris Missio 87-90).

2) Above all, our missionaries feel themselves strongly “rooted in the power of the Holy Spirit”. He has made the entire Congregation missionary. Redemptoris Missio places the first condition as “allowing oneself to be led by the Spirit.”

2) Apostolic interiority, characterised by the charity of the da mihi animas (and its “grace of unity” which brings consecration and mission together within us). Faith follows in the footsteps of Abraham, the father of all believers, who left everything and followed!

3) The central place of Christ the Good Shepherd who demands of the Salesian a special pedagogical and pastoral attitude, who will help the missionary to prefer approaches to those to whom he is sent which feature kindness and dialogue, as Jesus did.

4) Education as mission: the Salesian missionary highlights educational aspects using Don Bosco’s strategy. This invites the missionary to take so many elements of human maturity seriously, since these help the journey of evangelisation to be realistic. This also means being able to share one’s life with the people, an austere lifestyle, a sense of the educational value of everyday life, empathy and simplicity.

5) A practical sense of the Church places each Salesian at the heart of the Church, thus, the missionary lives and works in and for the Church, especially in the delicate stage where it is being built up. A steadfast commitment to the magisterium of the Pope and the Bishops is one of our strong spiritual legacies and we help the local Church to grow in this.

6) Joy in hard work reminds us Salesians that we came into existence on the “Hill of Youthful beatitudes” and that cheerfulness is a characteristic feature of our spirituality. “A feature of any authentic missionary life is the inner joy that comes from faith.”

7) Marian dimension: our entire Salesian life is considered to be a sharing in the ecclesial motherhood of Mary, whom we call on as our Help. Through Mary we implore the Spirit to give us the strength and courage to carry out our missionary mandate. It is Mary as model of this motherly love by whom all our missionaries should be animated.

If the missionary dimension is really an essential element in our charism it means, on the one hand, that it demands of our spirituality a special light and force to make it present and operative in the missions, and on the other that the missionary aspect deepens and renders more genuine Salesian spirituality itself.

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(Fr Egidio Viganó, AGC 336 – 1991).

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Cardinal John Cagliero (1838-1926) The First Salesian Missionary

11 November 1925 recommendations for departure of 224 new missionaries (expedition no.57) “Today let me, as the first of the missionaries and only surviving member, tell you what Don Bosco told us with all the zeal of his soul: Seek the glory of God and the salvation of souls alone!... Dear confreres, fifty years of experience allows me to offer you some recommendations: Firstly: PRAYER: pray! Remain close to the blessed cross your were given, keep it in your heart and mind every day, every moment of your life. And along with it carry and pray the Rosary; be devoted to Mary Help of Christians and let everyone see that you are. Secondly, prudence, TEMPERANCE; see that the spirit of Don Bosco is always alive and active in you.

Thirdly: WORK; work; this is our special

programme. Work, but always united with God. Your work will be blessed by God if done with the right intention, if accompanied by holiness of life. Work, then, as good Salesians, always united with the Lord and for the Lord. Finally: BE APOSTLES AND EVANGELISTS. Like St Paul, the model for missionaries, propose but one thing for yourselves: to make our Lord Jesus Christ known and loved. Preach Jesus Christ in your catechism classes to the young and to adults, and in all your preaching and religious instruction. But remember that the Word of God is preached through virtue and holiness of life more than through work... Inculcate and propagate, as Don Bosco wanted, the devotion to Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament and to Mary Help of Christians and you too will see what miracles are.”

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1884 1908 1915 1922 1926

1838 born Castelnuovo d’Asti, 1851 1875 lives in the Oratory at Valdocco, Turin (studies, priesthood, apostolate, music) 1854 and 1859 among the first group who take the name ‘Salesians’ and among the first Salesians 1862 ordained priest and appointed catechist at the oratory 1874 appointed first director of the FMA at Mornese 1875 11 November leaves for Argentina as leader of the first missionary expedition 1877 at GC1 he is elected first Catechist General of the Congregation (until 1884) consecrated as the first Salesian bishop, in 1885 he returns to Patagonia (based at Viedma) appointed Apostolic delegate for Costa Rica and Nicaragua becomes first Salesian Cardinal, 1920 - bishop of Frascati (Rome), Missionary Institute at Ivrea (Piedmont) takes his name dies in Rome, his body is transferred to the cathedral in Viedma-Patagonia (1964)

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Holy Missionaries and Martyrs Bishop Louis Versiglia and Callistus Caravario Liturgical celebration (25 February); canonised (2000), part of the 120 Chinese martyrs

Louis Versiglia (1873 Italy, Oliva Gessi - 1930, Shiu Chow, China) ITALY - Salesian journey, preparation for the missions 1885 - 1888 Valdocco, High school (3 years) - close to Don Bosco, 1889 First Profession as an SDB 1893 Rome, Gregorian University (3 years: finishes with philosophy degree) 1893 Foglizzo, assistant to the novices at Foglizzo (1895 - ordained priest) 1896 Genzano, novice master;

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CHINA – missionary journey 1906 -1910: First expedition to China: Macao, Director of Immaculate Conception Orphanage 1911 - 1918: Hengshan (Canton-China), mission in China for lepers 1912: Macao - Orphanage reopened, technical schools 1918: Apostolic Vicariate of Shiuchow entrusted to Salesian Congregation by Holy See (erected 1920; 6 residences MEP - 12 mission stations, 3 schools 1479 Catholics) 1921: Canton - consecrated Bishop; 1924: Shanghai - takes part in the first Council of the Chinese Church 1926: USA, Canada - takes part in the Eucharistic Congress, collects funds for the mission 1929: The Vicariate has grown - SDB, FMA, 15 mission stations, 11 churches and 16 chapels, 23 schools (800 students), orphanage, seminaries; 3803 Catholics 1930: Litowtsui (martyred with Callistus Caravario - 25 February) Missionary and spiritual profile of Bishop Versiglia Philosopher, formator, architect (churches, schools, orphanages, seminary), founder of a Chinese religious congregation (Announcers of the Lord: member of Salesian Family since 2005). Spirit of sacrifice - humility - penance for the mission - union with God - 14 letters to Carmelites in Florence reveal extent of missionary zeal.

The missionary who does not remain united with God is a canal detached from its source - The missionary who prays much also does much.

- Love souls a lot, and this love will be the teacher of all the things you need to do for their good.

- Aspire to the best always and in everything, but be content with what happens.

- Without Mary Help of Christians we Salesians are nothing. (1920 ď ˜ Bishop Louis Versiglia) Missionary and spiritual profile of Fr. Caravario Orderly, precise, obedient to parents and his superiors, respectful, very zealous for the things of the Church, teacher of liturgy for his friends, deep faith, kindness and moral integrity. Timid nature, little given to playing, preferred conversation, adapted easily. Loved theology and study of languages - Portuguese, French, English, Cantonese and Mandarin.

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Francis Convertini Everyone’s Friend (1898-1976)

Missionary and Spiritual Profile (Itinerant Missionary) He was characterised by simplicity, sincerity, availability for every sacrifice, honesty and constancy. His biggest problem was his studies - despite a heroic effort – throughout his life. He never perfectly learnt the local language (Bengali) but was able to enter into harmony with the people who all saw him as a great friend.

Fr Convertini gave himself totally to the people. “No one in Krishnagar had as many friends, so many spiritual children amongst the unlearned and the wise, amongst the poor and the rich. He gave no great sermons or speeches, since that wasn’t his skill, but he spoke on a one to one basis and entered all the families.” He was the only one to gain access where no one else could go. He was constantly on the move from village to village. He used horse and bicycle. But he preferred to put a pack on his back and walk, because that way he could meet many people and speak to them about Christ. Without doubt he

was a model of Salesian missionary life, a true example of inculturation, a teacher of interior life and self-denial of a pastoral nature.

The Servant of God’s life is filled with heroic charitable activity, penance and his charm as a man of God bringing “the saving water of Jesus”. He baptized thousands of people. He stripped himself of everything in order to give to the poor: including his clothes, shoes, bed and food. He always slept on the ground. He fasted at length. He was unbelievably poor. There are so many episodes, including some embellished by suitably documented supernatural gifts which gave him the reputation for holiness when he was alive. He belonged to everyone without distinction of race, caste or social status. He was loved by all. This was clear at his death when a huge number of Christians, Muslims and Hindus flocked to the cathedral. He died on 11 February 1976. His last words were: “Mary my mother, I never displeased you in life ... come and help me now.”

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1898 born in Italy (Cisternino, near Brindisi) 1916 soldier at the Front in the First World War, prisoner, interned (Hungary) 1920 joins the guardia di finanza (police): Trieste, Pola and Turin - where he gets to know the Salesians 1924 sent to the Card. Cagliero Missionary Institute (Ivrea) 1927 member of the missionary expedition for India - Kolkata, makes his novitiate at Shillong 1935 priest, works at Bhoborpara (1939) Ranabondo (1942) Krishnagar (until 1976).

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Fr Andrej Majcen The Don Bosco of Vietnam (1904-1999) 1904 born at Maribor (Slovenia) 1925 Salesian novitiate, initial formation 1933 ordained priest, sent as missionary to China (Kunming in 1951), Macao 1952 sent to North Vietnam (Hanoi - founded a work), returned to Hong Kong (1954) 1956 sent to South Vietnam (Saigon) until 1976 1976 sent to Tainan (Taiwan) until 1979 (returned home: Ljubljana, Slovenia) 1999 died at Ljubljana.

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“I am grateful to God for having called me and given me the courage to follow His call.

Life’s adventure, to which God call us, is very meaningful!” - he often said.

CHINA: The martyrdom of Bishop Versiglia and Fr Caravario (1930) reawakened the thought of the missions in him. “I will proclaim the Gospel to the Chinese in Chinese, and will be Chinese with the Chinese,” was his motto. He loved them as brothers and sisters and quickly learned the language of those he worked with. He loved everyone but especially the poor and the abandoned young people. They all found him to be a sincere friend and father.

DON BOSCO of VIETNAM: Fr Majcen is one of the founders of our work in Vietnam (North 1952, South 1956). As rector, vice provincial and novice master, he was an educator of religious vocations in particular, planting Don Bosco’s charism in the Vietnamese soul, following his proven principle: Vietnamese with the Vietnamese, in a Vietnamese way. In his twenty years in Vietnam, he created a huge Salesian tree out of nothing, which is why, in Vietnam he is called, “The Don Bosco

of Vietnam”. Physically exhausted but mature in spirit, he has been recognised as a spiritual guide and great friend of the young.

SLOVENIA: After returning to Ljubljana he organised a network of benefactors to send support to Vietnam to help the Salesians there.

After 1983 he knew that he would not return to Vietnam and directed all his energies to the inner life, the path to holiness. He was a much sought after spiritual director for priests and religious, until he died at the ripe old age of 95.

Thank you God, for having called me and given me the courage to listen to your voice... Thank you God especially for life at home and in the missions. I am happy to have followed this road. Thank you God, for having called me to the Salesian Congregation and having sent me to proclaim the Gospel in the Far East.

Mary, Help of Christians, thank you for everything, because I am convinced I learned this from St John Bosco - that everything I have done is your work.

Without Mary I am nothing. Without being a saint I am nothing.”

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(Andrej Majcen)

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Attilio Giordani Missionary of the Oratory (1913-1972)

Ten Commandments for a Catechist’s Written by Attilio I. Limiting the catechist’s mission to just teaching builds up very little.

II. The real problem is forming kids to live in a Christian way. Classes and group activities should be aimed at this.

III. We need to practise the way we want people to live.

IV. Teaching catechism well, and being experts in pedagogy, are excellent qualities but come to nothing if the catechist is not there amongst them constantly.

To teach youngsters how to be on time for V. Sunday Mass and catechism, the catechist needs to be there before they begin.

VI. The class and the group are made up of individuals. Every one of them needs to be known, loved, followed up even when things are not going well.

VII. We need to be constant: others will reap the harvest. Children who promise little today, may well be apostles tomorrow. We often see this.

VIII. Class and group are not isolated things; they have their own dynamics, but they are part of the common activities in the oratory and they lead to the parish and to the world.

IX. To encourage the kids to be there, the best thing to do is to make the community life of the class interesting. Competitions and the like can help.

Failures in these activities consist of being unjust, not occasionally rating events and not giving promised rewards.

X. When the classroom is alive, the kids will be the bridge between the oratory and the family.

“In his life he sought to be what he believed; he tried to be an icon of Jesus.’”

(Cardinal Carlo Martini, SJ - 21.11.1994)

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1913 born in Milan, his brother becomes a Salesian (Fr Camillo) 1929 1972: catechist at the oratory from 16 to 60 years of age 1929 leader at St Augustine’s oratory, Milano. Famous as an actor comic, catechist, footballer, cyclist, theatre director; formator 1944 - 1972: married Noemi (3 children: Pier Giorgio, Maria Grazia and Paola) 1947 - 1971: worked for “Pirelli” (Milan, in administration, trade union member) 1958: launched a “crusade of kindness” at the oratory which 1954 - 1958 extended to the rest of Italy 1962: first heart attack, slowed down the rhythm of work and apostolate; received early pension 1972: leaves as lay missionary to Brazil - Mato Grosso in Campo Grande, following his daughter. Died of a heart attack after 150 days in the mission.

His final words were “There are no sermons to preach. Preaching is living!”

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Specific Nature of the Salesian missions Who is a Salesian Missionary ad gentes?

Everywhere we are “missionaries of the young”. But not everywhere are we so in the proper and specific sense of the missions ad gentes. To be missionaries in this strict sense, some other particular conditions are necessary, even in our own Congregation, and especially the following: 1) to live personally (by inspiration or by disposition of religious obedience) a vocation that has the character of a mission ad gentes. “Christ the Lord has always called from the number of His disciples those whom He has chosen that they might be with Him so that He might send them to preach to the nations;” and so missionaries “have a special vocation;” 2) to be sent by the lawful authority to take the faith to those who are far from Christ implies, in fact, leaving one’s own country and culture; 3) to be generously committed in the service of integral evangelization without limits of energy or time; 4) to be constantly striving, even at personal cost, to insert oneself into the people and culture of those to whom one is sent (inculturation); 5) to desire that the commitment be for all one’s life is an aspect that still retains all its validity at the present day: “it is the model of the Church’s missionary commitment, which always stands in need of radical and total selfgiving, of new and bold endeavours,... without being daunted by doubts, misunderstandings, rejection or persecution.”

It is not only a matter of intensifying our sac-

rifices, but also of a true and abundant enriching of our Salesian authenticity.

General Chapters in general have asked us to improve the pastoral quality of all our presences.

Well, the encyclical Redemptoris Missio assures us that by increasing our specifically missionary activity we shall find the secret and the incentive for reaching a high level in all our pastoral activity: it is in the missions, in fact, that one experiences more clearly that the Gospel is the precious “good news” for the present day, and that the faith of the confreres themselves becomes reawakened as they proclaim the events of Christ.

Missionary activity helps us also to rediscover the originality of our particular form of youth pastoral work ... We think of the Oratory... Don Bosco’s oratory is conceived with a missionary perspective for young people without a parish because “the Church’s mission is wider than communion”; in it a group of young people more mature in the faith become apostles of their companions (“youth for the young”!), while the confreres involved feel themselves to be really “missionaries of the young” to whom they have been called.

Fr Egidio Viganó, Rector Major, Letter - AGC no. 336 (1991) following the encyclical Redemptoris Missio Salesian Mission Territories Since Don Bosco’s times the Church has entrusted us with various specific mission territories for the mission ad gentes - Missio Sui Iuris, Apostolic Prefectures, Apostolic Vicariates or Apostolic Prelatures (in the past, 36 territories, and currently 8).

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Title Apostolic Prefecture Territorial Prelature

Territory (historical) Azerbaijan - BAKU (2000) Mexico - MIXES (1964)

Vicariate Apostolic

Ethiopia-GAMBELLA (2000) Paraguay - CHACO (1948) Guatemala EL PETEN 1984 (1995) Ecuador - MENDEZ (1893) Peru - PUCALLPA 1956 (2008) Venezuela - PUERTO AYACUCHO 1932 (1956)

Bishop (number of SDBs) Vladimir Fekete 2009 (9 SDBs) Hector Guerrero Cordova 2007 (28 SDBs) Angelo Moreschi (2000) 2010 (8 SDBs) Gabriel Narciso Escobar Ayala 2013 (7 SDBs) Mario Fiandri 2009 (3 SDBs) Nestor Montesdeoca Becerra 2008 (32 SDBs) Gaetano Galbusera Fumagalli 2008 (4 SDBs) José Angel Divasson 1996 (29 SDBs)

The Salesian Family – A Missionary Family (number of members, 2012) 1. Society of St Francis de Sales - Salesians of Don Bosco (with bishops and novices) .................................................15762 2. Institute of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians..........14655 3. Association of Salesian Cooperators..................................................................30000 4. Past Pupils of Don Bosco ......................................................................................................97357 5. FMA Past Pupils............................................................................................................................130000 6. Volunteers of Don Bosco ...........................................................................................................1308 7. Daughters of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary (Colombia) ..............................................................................................378 8. Salesian oblates of the Sacred Heart of Jesus..................................................221 9. Apostles of the Holy Family ..........................................................................................................69 10. Sisters of the Charity of Jesus (Japan).......................................................................990 11. Missionary Sisters of Mary Help of Christians (India)...............1050 12. Daughters of the Divine Saviour (Salvador)..................................................167 13. Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (Thailand) .......................109 14. Sisters of Jesus the Adolescent...................................................................................................26 15. Association of Salesian Women ..................................................................................2083 16. Association Mary Help of Christians .............................................................80000 17. Institute of the Catechist Sisters of Mary Immaculate Help of Christians (India) .....................................500 18. Daughters of the Queenship of Mary Immaculate (Thailand) .............................................................................................35 19. Volunteers with Don Bosco............................................................................................................90 20. Witnesses of the Risen Lord - 2000 ..............................................................................750 21. Congregation of St Michael the Archangel....................................................357 22. Congregation of the Sisters of the Resurrection (Guatemala)50 23. Sisters Announcers of the Lord (China) ................................................................23 24. Secular Institute, Disciples of Don Bosco (India) ................................400 25. “Canção Nova” Community ..........................................................................................1300 26. Sisters of St Michael the Archangel .........................................................................261 27. Sisters of Maria Auxiliatrix (India) ............................................................................110 28. Community of the Mission of Don Bosco (CMB) .............................172 29. Sisters of the Queenship of Mary Immaculate (Thailand) .........29 30. The Visitation Sisters of Don Bosco (India) ................................................122

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How does a Missionary Vocation Come into Being?

Letters of request for the missions come from all continents In general, a missionary vocation comes from the contact with a missionary experience shared during a Good Night Talk or conference or interview with a missionary. Most missionaries hear God’s voice in the early stages of Salesian formation. Each year around 60 confreres write their letters of request for the missions to the Rector Major. This marks the beginning of the official discernment of a missionary vocation ad gentes - ad extra - ad vitam. For some Salesians it marks the beginning of a journey of several years. Instead, others leave within a few months; it all depends on preparation and vocational maturity.

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From America ... Since I took the decision to become a Salesian I knew I could not do this in a mediocre way. I understood that I have to give myself totally and without reserve. It is

like walking in the pergola of roses, and I do not wish to turn back. I want to follow Don Bosco ‘loving until it is painful’. Here precisely is the missionary example and intention of Don Bosco that has moved me to write the request for missio ad gentes, dear Fr Pascual.

From South Asia ... When I was provincial secretary, it opened my eyes to the world. I understood the great world community of the Salesians, much larger than our province. I understood that I must not be tied just to my own small world view and family relationships. Later on, I discussed this at length with my confessor, spiritual director, provincial and some friends who had already worked in the missions outside their country. After many hesitations I express my availability to saying a final ‘yes’ to the Lord who has guided me over a long period. I am asking Don Bosco’s successor to accept me for the 145th missionary expedition.

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From East Asia-Oceania I am a Brother in perpetual vows, technically trained. The missionary dream was always in my heart since secondary school. When I became a Salesian 22 years ago, I always admired missionaries and their witness. The thought never left me up until now. After much prayer and discernment I have written a request for the missions. I believe that is where the Lord wants me to be! My letter is a concrete response to the challenge of the Pope for the Year of Faith: it grows only when I share it with others! I want to share my faith with young people and people of other cultures!

the Lord in profession and leave nothing of myself’ - I am also ready to offer my life as a response to this missionary call, if God wants it!

The answer was positive, and he told me to write to you (Rector Major) on 11 October, at the opening of the Year of Faith. I am very happy to express this deepest desire I have to offer myself with all my heart for the missions for the rest of my life. I am ready for whatever sacrifice God will ask of me in this vocation...

From Africa During the post-novitiate I went to the villages to animate the Sunday Liturgy and discovered the need for so many workers for the Gospel. Later on, I shared with my rector and provincial the missionary dream I had nourished since I was in senior secondary school. I continued to pray to the Lord to confirm His call.

After a novena to Mary Help of Christians, I wrote to the provincial to offer myself totally to

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The Rector Major replies Dear ..., I greet you with the heart of Don Bosco in this year of preparation for the bicentenary of his birth, in which we are invited to get to know him more deeply and imitate him more faithfully to make his passion for the salvation of the young our own. Thank you for your availability for the Missio ad Gentes, the result of a desire you have had for years and that has gradually matured. It is a beautiful thing to make yourself available to go wherever the Congregation needs you. I will forward your request to Fr. Václav, the Councillor for the Mission.

He will be in touch with you and with your provincial. For my part I encourage you to continue to live your Salesian life joyfully, faithfully and generously. With an embrace and a remembrance in the Mass, and greetings for a happy feast day of Don Bosco.

Fr Pascual Chávez Villanueva

SALESIAN MISSIONARY VOCATION SMD 2015

From Europe ... I want to share the reasons for a missionary life: a Salesian friend of mine encouraged me not to remain closed in like a frog in the pond but to look at the larger picture of the Church and the Congregation.

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SALESIAN MISSIONARY VOCATION SMD 2015

Discernment of a Missionary vocation ad gentes - ad extra - ad vitam The discernment process is a gradual one, done with the help of spiritual accompaniment. The candidate learns to purify and understand his motivations, discern his qualities and the attitudes which determine his suitability for life as a Salesian missionary. The community too has an important role in this journey. The Criteria for Discernment of a Salesian Missionary Vocation are utilised. It is also possible for the missionary candidate to be granted, for example, an year of lived experience in a mission context outside his own province.

When the candidate arrives at the conclusion that he is called to serve in the mission field, he sends a letter to the Rector Major in which he explicitly manifests his desire and puts himself at the disposition of the Congregation.

This does not take away from him the possibility of expressing preference or concrete skills for a particular mission territory. The Rector Major, through the Councillor for the Missions, enters into dialogue with the confrere’s provincial, asking a written opinion of him and his council regarding the candidate’s missionary vocation, always in reference to the Criteria for Discernment of the Salesian Missionary Vocation.

When the discernment is positive and the opinion of the provincial received, where he is ready to release the confrere for the missions, the Rector Major assigns a destination to the candidate.

ture and simple desire to change the place where one works; urged on by a third person: parents, confreres, friends; escape from one’s own relational, personal, vocational problems; problems fitting in to the ordinary community life and apostolate.

Insufficient elements: generic motivation is not enough, like a vague desire to work for poor youth or in a poor setting; it is not enough to have superficial enthusiasm for the missions which is not accompanied by concrete attitudes of commitment, sacrifice, generosity, since enthusiasm of the kind will not last very long.

Extract from the Criteria for Discernment Counter indications: The search for adven-

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The general criteria for vocational discernment - for the confrere and the rector and his council: the three essential features are (1) right intention, (2) free decision, (3) necessary qualities: good health; human maturity; sense of responsibility; relational capacity; strong personality; psychological balance; perseverance in difficulty; patience, understanding, humility, able to appreciate genuine values of other cultures and religions and adapt to changing situations; spirit of faith; rooted in Christ through a life of personal and community prayer, focused on the Eucharist, regular with the sacraments; Salesian life lived with missionary zeal shown in the desire to make Christ known, especially to poor and excluded young people; spirit of sacrifice; generosity; content with condition he finds himself in; able to put up with fatigue and lack of results from efforts; flexible, able to adapt and love life in an intercultural community; ability to learn a new language; ability to live in community and work in a team with other members, lay people and the young; communion and obedience in working together.

Missionary Formation of the Salesians of Don Bosco Guidelines have been prepared jointly by the Councillor for the Missions and the Councillor for Formation and were approved by the General Council on 24 January 2013.

The document aims at encouraging every Salesian by means of formation to keep Don Bosco’s missionary zeal alive, either by enabling him to be a missionary animator, or by helping him to discern the call to mission ad gentes. This fills a gap in the Ratio - the specific document for initial and ongoing formation of the Salesian - which does not have pointers regarding formation to the missionary dimension. The text is the result of a process set up by the world consultative council for the Missions (2008) and over the four years of its preparation it involved delegates for formation and the missions.

Objectives: (1) during the initial formation every Salesian should be helped to grow in sensitivity to and an ability to animate young people, laity, missionary groups and volunteer groups as regards the missions; (2) offer a set of strategies for discovering, discerning and understanding a true Salesian vocation to mission ad gentes - ad extra - ad vitam.

For each formation stage there is an indication of: (1) content, (2) attitudes and (3) experiences. The document also contains criteria for discerning a Salesian missionary vocation and for formation of the Salesian missionary.

Attachments: Who is a Salesian missionary today? - Missionary group - Urgent need for mission animation - Missionary aspirantate Spirituality for our missionaries.

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Other useful documents for reflection – missionary formation • Vatican II – Decree on missionary activity of the Church ad gentes (1965) • Pope John Paul II - Encyclical on the ongoing validity of the Church’s mission mandate Redemptoris missio (1990) • Pope Francis, Apostolic Exhortation: Evangelii Gaudium (2013) • Congregation for the Clergy – Circular: “Missionary identity of the priest in the Church” (2009) • Egidio Viganó, “Pope’s appeal for the missions,” AGC 336 (1991) • Juan E. Vecchi, “Our missionary commitment in view of 2000,” AGC 362 (1998) • Pascual Chávez V, “Inculturation of the Salesian charism,” AGC 411 (2011)

SALESIAN MISSIONARY VOCATION SMD 2015

ry

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Available Teaching Materials Poster - A2 format Teachers’ booklet - 32 pages Holy picture with prayer DVD (1) with one introductory video “Lord, send me...” and five interviews with missionaries Fr Marcello Bertolusso (Brazil), Fr Luigi Bolla (Peru), Fr. Germain Lagger (Vietnam), P. Maurizio Rossi (Madagascar) and Sr. Lucia Texeira (Mozambique).

(Languages: Italian, English, Spanish, Portuguese, French, Polish and German) DVD (2) with teaching materials in different languages (folders having the following content) 1. Printed material (booklet) 2. Video texts 3. Photos for use in mission animation 4. Poster for SMD 2015 (high resolution) 5. Documents on missionary vocation 6. Documents on missionary formation 7. Documents on Salesian missionaries (Museum at Colle Don Bosco, Missionary aspirantate, Ivrea) 8. Testimonies, prayer and suggestions for activities

SALESIAN MISSIONARY VOCATION SMD 2015

For Personal Reflection and Group Activities Given the abundance of experiences of so many Salesian missionaries, or current young missionaries - what possibilities are there for making them known to the EPC members?

The missionary is seen somewhat superficially as someone helping the poor or who needs material assistance to put up buildings. How can we lead young people and laity to work for missionary vocations to proclaim the Gospel?

What activities can we undertake to make the real life of Salesian missionaries better known today? They are unknown to many of your young people and lay partners (Mission exhibition, Facebook, Youtube, conference, interview for the Salesian Bulletin or province newsletter, Letters or emails to mis-

sionaries - contact with them: provincial directory.

How can we benefit in terms of mission animation from having missionaries originally from our province while they are back in the country? (in the educative and Pastoral Communities or formation houses, in Salesian media) Open Questions for Dialogue on the Missionary Vocation: • What are the basic qualities needed for a missionary vocation?

• What happens when a diocese or province has not sent missionary ad gentes over a long period?

• Is it possible to send someone as a missionary for a stipulated time (5 years)?

• Which are countries that has the greatest necessity of the Salesian mission today?

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How to Interview Missionaries Getting a missionary to speak is the best kind of mission animation Helping him to share his motivations for his missionary existence is a gift for the Christian community. Among the best communications tools is a simple interview. During the bicentenary year of Don Bosco’s birth - 2015 - we invite contributions to 200 interviews of Salesian missionaries. Any kind is welcome - Q&A in a magazine, Facebook, Youtube video or an open discussion in the oratory on a Friday evening.

You can find some useful questions below.

Some sites with interviews of missionaries: Art.43 https://vimeo.com/art43 (Poland, Ghana), http://www.missionidonbosco.tv/it/ (Italy, Turin) or http://www.misionessalesianas.org/multimedia/ (Spain).

Photo: Interview with a missionary (144th missionary expedition: https://vimeo.com/77022954) Questions to missionaries returning home after some years • The Salesians have been in ... for some years. What does their presence mean to the people?

• Is it possible to give Don Bosco a local (native) face?

• What are the most urgent needs of your mission land?

• What are the needs of the young people?

• What do you think of the future for the Church in ...?

• What do you think about the Church in Europe? (to a European missionary) • Do you have some particular project at heart?

• Could you tell us about a day in your life as a missionary (trips, encounters, relationships)?

• How do the young people view the Church in your mission?

• What do we need to do to make Don Bosco’s missionary dreams come true?

• How can we bring the message (love, Gospel) of Christ to our society?

• What are the challenges for the Salesian Family in your mission province?

• What can we do today for the missions and for the missionaries (other than financial aid)?

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SALESIAN MISSIONARY VOCATION SMD 2015

To missionaries who are bound for Mission: • What does it mean “to leave” for you, at this time?

• How did you sense that you had a missionary vocation? Why did you take this decision?

• What does your family think about your missionary call?

What are your best memories of your family?

• Who narrated to you the story of Jesus for the first time?

• Do you feel nostalgic about your mission? Can you specify about what?

• What is the hardest thing you had to give up?

• Where are you going? How did you accept your destination as a missionary?

• What are the problems that await you that have to be tackled? How are you prepared?

• This choice needs courage. Where do you get it from?

• Is it worth giving your life to others in such a radical way as this?

• What message would you like to leave for the Salesian Family?

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PRAYER God our Father, we give You thanks because You entrusted the Gospel of Christ to Your Church, because You aroused a missionary passion in Don Bosco’s heart, because You have called thousands of Salesians Holy Spirit, help to bring Your Gospel to the whole world, all disciples of Jesus because today too You are helping Don Bosco’s sons in their witness and evangelisation, to welcome the call to be missionaries. all Salesian missionaries in difficulty and crisis, all of us, so that Lord Jesus, help us with Don Bosco’s apostolic heart, to go out of ourselves daily, we can extend God’s Kingdom and not be closed in on where we are, to the ends of the earth. Amen. to arouse zeal for the missions in the hearts of all members of the Salesian Family, to courageously respond to the missionary call, to set up mission groups among youngsters in all Salesian works.

Direzione Generale Opere Don Bosco: Via della Pisana, 1111 - 00163 Roma Tel. (+39) 06 656.121 - Fax (+39) 06 656.12.556 - e-mail: cagliero11@gmail.com