Dear confreres, dear readers of Cagliero11,
I send you warm greetings! 2025 is a special year for us Salesians of Don Bosco and for the entire Salesian Family, because we celebrate the 150th anniversary of the first missionary expedition. It is an opportunity to express our gratitude to all those who gave their lives for the mission.
The Salesian motto expressed in “ci vado io” (I'll go,) used by Fr Alberto Caviglia, reminds us of the passion for evangelisation, especially of young people, and the willingness to be sent where there is need. I therefore encourage young people not to be afraid and to allow themselves to be guided and accompanied. In my new role as Regional for South-East Africa, I am called to encourage the missionary vocation in solidarity with the whole Congregation: we have received missionaries, so we can in turn give missionaries.
Fr Innocent Bizimana SDB
Regional Councillor for South-East Africa
As Salesians engaged in mission ad gentes, often we find ourselves in less-developed peripheries of the society. In such contexts, we commit ourselves not only to evagelisation and education, but also to social ministry of development. The Salesian Constitutions acknowledges the validity of our commitment to total development, “Our mission is a sharing in that of the Church, which brings about the saving design of God, the coming of His Kingdom, by bringing to men the message of the Gospel, which is closely tied in with the development of the temporal order” (C.31; cf. Evangelium Nuntiandi, #31).
When engaged in development work, we are often moved by passion and compassion. We act with a sense of urgency. These situations deprive us of the time for reflection and scientific approach. While the urgency prompts immediate action, we might overlook the importance of learning local languages or understanding cultural nuances. We achieve a lot in the temporal order and then realise that our relationships with the people have suffered. On the other hand, taking time to appreciate the anthropology of local cultures gives us credibility in engaging in a dialogue that leads to a merger between our dreams for the people and their own aspirations. This dialogical approach is truly liberative, as Paulo Freire affirms. Our efforts for development are thus enhanced by our reverence for indigenous cultures.
Similarly, when we adopt a systematic approach to development, we become more sensitive to the ecological, psychosocial, and spiritual dimensions of life. We are reminded that all development is about nurturing relationships - with the marginalised people, with the rest of creation, and with the Creator Himself. In this way, we become not only builders of infrastructures and founders of institutions but also weavers of relationships, respecting life in all its forms and stages. This is the sacred rhythm of mission.
Fr Sahaya G. Selvam SDB
Executive Director, PDO, Nairobi
Father Savio, you are the coordinator of the Don Bosco Green Alliance. Can you tell us more about DBGA and its goals?
Don Bosco Green Alliance is the platform that brings together the ecological initiatives and activities across all our Salesian institutions worldwide. It seeks to promote eco-spirituality, further eco-education, and encourage eco-action, among young people in all our youth pastoral settings. Thus, the DBGA strives to respond to “the cry of the earth and the cry of the poor” (Laudato Si' 49).
How do you see the relationship between integral ecology and the missionary character of our congregation?
Education and evangelisation are the two pillars of our Salesian mission. As highlighted by GC29, “Integral ecology emerges as a privileged field of educational and pastoral work.” Supporting young people in becoming Stewards of God’s Creation is an important means of contributing towards the building up of the Kingdom of God, which is characterised by love, service, justice, and peace. Today’s young people are deeply concerned about ecological issues and are eager to engage in efforts to protect and restore the environment. This presents us a meaningful opportunity to accompany them in living out Gospel values through concrete ecological action. Environmental challenges—such as deforestation, pollution, and climate-induced migration—disproportionately affect the poor and vulnerable. By addressing these pressing concerns, we reaffirm our Salesian missionary commitment of building up the Kingdom of God.
What concrete steps can we take to protect and support life in all its stages and forms?
A first step would be to promote ecological education, so that young people gain a clear and comprehensive understanding of the environmental challenges the world is facing. Second, we should involve our youngsters in international campaigns, such as those initiated by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Laudato Si’ Movement. Finally, we need to assist young people in addressing local environmental issues such as air pollution, water contamination, improper waste disposal, loss of biodiversity, and other issues that directly affect their communities. And yes, above all, we need to look at our own lifestyle and decide what we need to personally change!
