DIREZIONE GENERALE OPERE DON BOSCO

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Tel: +(39)-06-656-121; ufficio 06-656-1259; fax: 06-656-12-556

E-mail: vklement@sdb.org; vklementsdb@gmail.com 

1. Coucillor for the Missions
2. Dimapur - India, 11 November 2013
3. Missions-180

Prot. 13.0606

To Provincials
To Mission Animation Delegates

145th Missionary Expedition (2014) - preparation

Dear Fr Provincial,

1. Warm greetings from North East India -
2. Dimapur, while I am carrying out some mission animation here. I entrust the process that this letter speaks of to Mary – an appeal to missionary generosity.

In 2008 GC26 asked each Province “to foster the missionary spirit, generously place at the Rector Major's disposal Salesian personnel for missio ad gentes, and encourage missionary vocations among lay people and families”(no 49). I thank the 56 Provinces who, from 2008-2013 have responded to this appeal from the General Chapter. Vietnam has been the most generous of these, sending more than 100 missionaries over 13 years, and we note that in 2013 missionaries have gone out for the first time from Russia, Myanmar and Albania.

We are coming to the end of a six year period, and are but a few months away from the 27th General Chapter on 'Witnesses to the radical nature of the Gospel'. I have often reflected on the question of renewal that is being asked of the entire Congregation. What is this radical approach we have so much need of? And what often comes to mind is that we need more confreres radical enough to be able to leave their country, culture, friends, like Abraham who went to a place that the Lord 'will choose'. Fr Luis Bolla's words (RIP, Italian missionary who died on 6 February 2013 in Lima, Peru) are the best commentary on GC27: 'When the boat left port in Genoa it was one of the most beautiful experiences of my life. Everything seemed to die – your friends, your country, your mountains... and I believe this is what all missionaries feel – when I said  to the Lord 'I have lost everything; YOU are the only one who remains; I know nobody in the new world. And at that moment the Lord answers you saying 'I AM EVERYTHING and I AM HERE FOR YOU ALONE'. That was a moment of infinite joy!" (at the beginning of his Mortuary Letter).

While preparing for the celebrations for the Bicentenary of Don Bosco's birth he can teach us about fidelity to the Church. Over the last 13 years of his life our Father sent out a good 11 missionary expeditions, so that by the time he died, 20% of the early Salesians had already left for the missions. That was a truly charismatic percentage that challenges us today – a fifth of every Province for the missions! Seeking to follow Don Bosco in this this year too I am offering you the results of the 144th missionary expedition (2013) and the urgent needs of Salesian missions today (2014), updated by the Rector Major in July 2013.

1. On the 11th of each month we pray for missionaries and new missionary vocations. I hope the mission animation bulletin “Cagliero11” reaches all your communities. To help confreres discern this vocation well as part of their sense of vocation here are the stages of missionary discernment ad gentes:

1. Without up-to-date information and mission formation during the initial formation stages we cannot expect new missionary vocations. The final edition of 'Salesian missionary formation' approved by the Rector Major and his Council on 24 January 2013 is available. (Attachment- Missionary Formation of the Salesians of Don Bosco, ed. 2013).

1. The journey begins with a request sent to the Rector Major, obviously based on a confrere's first discernment. Every candidate makes himself available to the Congregation, however he can express a preference or some practical reason why he would select a specific mission area.

1. A good discernment of missionary vocation is needed above all. Following the request to the Rector Major, the candidate's Superior is asked to contribute to the discernment process, following certain criteria. (Attachment-Criteria). The key to good discernment is a three-way cooperation – Local, Provincial and Departmental (Missions Dept). The Provincial's and Council's view, involving formators, is very important.

1. Following a positive result from this discernment, the Rector Major assigns the destination for his future mission to the candidate. A good understanding of the individual candidate and his abilities is very helpful for avoiding unexpected and unwanted surprises in the future. A dialogue then ensues between the two Provincials to facilitate an adequate preparation and eventual transfer.

1. The formation course for new missionaries who will be in the 145th expedition will be held at the General House in Rome, and then in Turin (3-28 September 2014). the course's objectives help the new candidate respond to his call in a number of dimensions: cultural - anthropological, theological and Salesian. Two weeks in Rome and a week of pilgrimage to the roots of the charism, help the individual understand his motivations and sets each missionary on a path of ongoing formation.

   
 To facilitate good discernment and preparation of future missionaries I am inviting you to send me possible names of your candidates, or alternatively ask them to send their request directly to the Rector Major as soon as possible (best before 31 January 2014).

This way we can offer a worthy contribution to celebrations for Don Bosco's bicentenary!

Trusting that we offer a fruitful service to the confreres entrusted to us, in  Don Bosco,

Fr Václav Klement
Coucillor for the Missions

Salesian confreres from 21 Provinces who received their
Missionary crucifix from the Rector Major on 29 September 2013 at Valdocco: