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UPACTION NETWORK IN MISSIONARY ANIMATION
BICENTENARY COLUMN
Anima is happy to introduce this special column for the Bicentenary of the birth of Don Bosco. This column will present some of the missionary writings of the Saint.
Fr. John Bosco writes...!
WE DO NOT GO TO
HEAVEN BY CARRIAGE
Circular Letter of Don Bosco to the
Salesians and to the Daughters of
Mary Help of Christians.
Turin, January 6, 1884
My dear and beloved sons,
Your words of esteem and affection are a source of great comfort to me, but the Loving messages you expressed in your letters or personally by wishing me Blessed Holy Days and a Happy New Year call for special thanks in response to the filiaLsentiments you have shown me.
I must say that' am very happy with all of you, for the trouble you take to perform any kind of task, leaving nothing undone to further the greater glory of God in our communities and among those boys whom Divine Providence daily entrusts to our care, that we may lead them on the path of virtueand honour straightto Heaven.
In so many ways and with so many different means you have thanked me for what I have done for you. You have promised to work steadfastly with me, to share my efforts to promote God's honour and glory on earth in order to obtain the great reward God keeps prepared for all in Heaven. You have also assured methatyou are satisfied with what I judge to be right for you, and that you will unconditionally accept and practise it. I rejoice in your precious words, and as a father I simply answer that I thank you with all my heart, and I wish to add that you will do me the greatest favour if you help me save your soul [These words were underlined in the autograph by Don Bosco himself].
You know verywell, my beloved sons, that' have accepted you into the Congregation and that I have spared no effort to make sure of your eternal salvation. Therefore, if you help me with this greattask, you are doing what my fatherly heart is expecting of you. You may guess what you will have to practise in order to achieve this great goat: Observe our rules; they are the rules which Holy Mother Church approved for our guidance, for the salvation of our souls, and for the spiritual and temporal advantage of our beloved boys. We have read and studied them, and now they have become the object of our promises and of our vows that have bound us to the Lord. Also, and I am saying this with all my heart, let no one utter words of discontent or, worse, regret for having consecrated himself to the Lord. This would be an act of black ingratitude. ALL we have, whether material possessions or spiritual values, belong to God, and when we consecrate ourselves to Him through our religious profession, we are only offering to God what He Himself has lent us, but which remains His property nevertheless. If we are not firm in observing our vows we are stealing from the Lord; in His eyes we take back, trample upon, and profane what we have offered and placedin His holy hands.
Someone might saythatthe observance of our rules demands sacrifice! True, the observance of the rules is hard for one who does not keep them wholeheartedly, who is negligent. But for those who are persevering, who Love the salvation of their souls, this observance becomes a sweet yoke and a Light burden. As our divine Saviour says: "jugurn meum suave estetonus meum leve" (My yoke is easy and my burden light, Mt 11:30).
My dear sons, do we perhaps intend to go to Heaven by carriage? We have become religious not to seek comfort, but to suffer in obtaining merits for the other Life. We have consecrated ourselves to God notto command, butto obey; notto attach ourselves to people, butto practice charity toward our neighbour for the love of God; not to live in comfort and ease, but to be poor with Jesus Christ, to suffer with Him on earth, and to become worthy of His gloryin Heaven.
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"Si delectat magnitudo praemiorum non deterrent certamen laborum". ("If the magnitude of the rewards attract us, let not the struggle of the endeavours deter us". St. Gregory the Great).
I would like to say one more thing: Confreres write to me from everywhere, and although I would be very glad to answer each Letter personally, this is no longer possible. ButIwilltry to write more frequently. My letters will give me a chanceto open my heart to you. They will also serve as answer or, better, as guidance for those who live in faraway countries for holy purposes and cannot hear thevoice of the father who loves them so much in Jesus Christ.
Maythe grace of God and the protection of the Blessed Virgin Mary always be with us and help us persevere in the divine service to the last moments of our lives, Amen (Epist. IV. 248-50).
Your most loving friend,
Fr. John Bosco
For Reflection & Study
Editorial
Where are the Bicentenary Missionaries?
The passion of St. Paul 'to know Christ' and his delight to make Him known' found a fitting place in the Constitutions of the Salesians of Don Bosco: Our highest knowledgethereforeis to knowJesus Christ and our greatest delight is to reveal to all people the unfathomable riches of His mystery' (Constitutions,Art. 34).
"People still awaiting the gospel message were the special object of Don Bosco's concern and apostolic effort. They continue to stimulate our zeal and keep ita live. We Look upon missionary work as an essentialfeature ofour Congregation" (Constitutions, Art. 30).
The Salesian vocation places us at the heart of the Church. Being "evangelizers of the young, "educators of the faith", and l'proclaimers of the Gospel to those who have notyet received it", "we contributeto building up the Church as the Body of Christ, so that also through us she may appear to the world as the universal sacrament of salvation" (Constitutions, Art. 30). Pope John Paul II in the encyclical Redemptoris Missio affirms: "The Church is missionary by its very nature, for Christ's mandate is not something contingent or external, but reaches the very heart of the
Church. It thattheuniversalChurch
and each individual church is sent forth to thenations" (RM 62).
For Don Bosco, the "missionary sending" was an essential aspect of his apostolic initiatives. He sent the first group of Salesians to Patagonia under the leadership of Fr. Cagliero on November 11, 1875. This sending pavedtheway for manya missionary expedition, which the Congregation faith fu ly co nti n u es even today.
Bt. Michael Rua fulfilled Don Bosco's Barcelona "Missionary Dream" (1886), when he sent 'the Six' to Tanjore (India) under the Leadership of Fr. Tomatis. Bt. Philip Rinaldi sent 'the Intrepid Eleven' under Fr. Louis Mathias to Assam (India). Since then, the South Asia region became a recipient of missionaries from far and wide.
The Salesian Region of South Asia today prides itself on having 11 provinces and a Vice- Province, with a strength of 2781 Salesiansinvolved in a wide variety of forms of apostolate. Numerically, it is the second largest region in the Congregation. This immense growth of the region within a short span of 109 years is the fruit of the missionary commitment of many self-sacrificing missionaries who Left their homelands in at least 25 countries and came to the region with the Good News of Jesus and the Salesian charism. We are immenselyindebtedto them all.
During the Centenary year of the Salesian presence in India, Salesian India offered to the Rector Major 24 missionaries for the mission ad gentes. On the day of the celebrations, Fr. Joaquim D'Souza the then Regional Councillor said: In this way we repay, to some extent, theimmense debtwe oweto the 460 or so missionaries who came to India from Europe and the Americas during the past 100 years".
Fr. PascuaL Chavez, the then Rector Major, shared his dream for India on the occasion of the centenary of the Salesian presence in India in 2005: "I dream of a Salesian India which is decisively missionary, within the country and in the mission ad gentes, in the same way other countries have done in the past when they experienced strong vocational growth." Fr. Chavez reminded the Salesians of the region of "a historic responsibility" to give back to the world whatit had received from others.
Fr. Angel Fernandez Artime, our Rector Major, in his letter invited Salesians for the mission ad gentes enumerating "fields of pastoral mission where at the present moment we are very necessary" (AGC 419; SeeAnima Oct-Dec 2014, p.5).
Fr. Guillermo Basaries, the General Councillor for the Missions, during his maiden visit to the region in August 2014 told the Salesians: We need to think of other regions too in the Congregation and send out the best ones to the missions." (Message at Don Bosco Provincial House, Guwahati). Speaking to the students of Theology in Shillong, he presented Marythe Mother of God who carriediesus in herwomb and rushed out to share Him with others as the bestexa m ple for missionaries.
And yet, the 146th Missionary Expedition, which is the Bicentenary Expedition, does not have a single Salesian from the region of South Asia. The Bicentenary Expedition will leave in November 2015 with no Salesians from the "vibrant" South Asian Region !This make us pause and introspect:
Pope Francis asserts: "At a time when we most need a missionary dynamism which will bring salt and light to the world...., some resist giving themselves over completely to mission and thus end up in a state of paralysis and acedia". (EC 81) The Pope challenges aLl to overcome "pastoral acedia", "small mindedness" and "the tomb psychology" (EG83).
Fr. (Dr.) T.C. George
SDB - Editor,
South Asian Delegate for MissionaryAnimation
Towards a Holistic Understanding of Mission
As Providence ordained, I am a Salesian priest who has spent practically his entire religious life hitherto, in Formation Houses, lecturing either in Philosophy (in The Retreat - Yercaud), or in Theology (in Kristu Jyoti College - Bangalore). Consequently, any discourse on Mission by people like me runs the risk of being a purely theoretical input. Nevertheless, on further reflection, it struck me that "Mission" is not a special "optional" veneer for a Catholic, to be manifested on special occasions, but part of the core identity of being Catholic. That set me thinking about how the reality of Mission could be understood and applied in the case of each and every memberofthe Faithful.
In this regard, my mind goes back to a religious event which I once attended - it was the First Religious Profession of a group of novices. After the function, one of the newly-professed gave the Vote of Thanks. He thanked the superior who had received their profession and, (with the characteristic enthusiasm of novices), said words to this effect: "I only wish thatI could die now and go immediately to heaven". Poor boy! Perhaps he expected a "Bravo" ora "Welk do for this pious wish. But to our surprise, the Superior had strong words for him: "What do you mean die now and go to heaven! Is thatwhy you made your Religious Profession? First, work for fifty or sixty years and then you can go to heaven". The entire audience burstinto peals of Laughter. But the point was well made and the question well raised, viz.? Are we on a straight trip (a one-way ticket) to heaven? If so, what is the significance of this life?
Theaboveincidenthightights one fact: In order to understand Mission, we need to understand the significance of this earthly Life. Does it have any value at all? I remember a saying of St. Aloysius Gonzaga which my novice master (Fr. Egidio Sala) often used to repeat: Quid hoc ad aeternitatern? What is the use of all this for eternity? Without in any way downplaying the importance of eternal Life, the question remains: Whatis the sig nificance ofthis present life?These dimensions, as it were, etch the profile of an Emerging Spirituality which is holistic. Catholic Spirituality can be generally described as the ecclesial lifestyle of the believing and committed Catholic disciple. It is the way the Catholic faithful lives in a specific historical situation in the light of the Church's self-understanding.
In this regard, theologians speak of two basic types of spirituality that are an integral part of the Catholic heritage. The first, comparable to "the peeling of an onion", has a mystical overtone, expressed in the adage: "Discern and Discover your Authentic Self'. The second can be likened to "the carving of a statue". Its watchword, instead, tends to be: "Become what you are called to be"; it stresses effort, involvement etc.
Applying both these paradigms to the issue under consideration; on the one hand, each of the Faithful is called upon BOTH to retrieve the Missionary Dimension of his/her Catholic Identity, assimilate it AND to proclaim it and live it anew with Authority. In a word, the Catholic is called upon to see him/herself as NOT MERELY HAVING A MISSION, but as BEING MISSION!
"Lord Send Me:" Missionary Week celebrated at Divyadaan Nashik
Divyadaan, Nashik celebrated the 'Missionary Week' from 17" - 22" November 2014, on the theme, "Lord Send Me". Fr. Robert Pen, the Rector, inaugurated the Missionary Week and emphasized the missionary dimension of each Salesian and of the whole congregation.
Fr. Tony D'Souza, a veteran Salesian missionary, gave a conferencetothe community on the scope ofthe missionary vocation based on Chapter Documents, as the theme of the missionary week focused on the missionary vocation. "Lord Send Me", a video prepared by the Missionary Department of the Congregation was screened.
The missionary week was enriched with the cultural day programme organized by the Divyadaan AcademicCounciland a drawing competition. The programme concluded with the movie on the LifeofBL. Stephen Sa ndorSDB. The weeklong eventorga nized by the Divyadaan Missionary Group was informative as well as inspiring.
By Christopher Xavier
logothon
Prayer opens the Door of Faith
The Role of Prayer in the Nascent Church
Missionary work is not carried out in the same degree and same manner by everyone. However there is onething that everyone ought to do in an intense way, namely, praying for the effectiveness of the missionary endeavours of others. We look into the Scriptures to endorse what we are reminding our readersin thisissue ofAnima.
Jesus spent several nights in prayer when He chose his to-be Gospel heralds (Lk 6:12). Shall we rightly presume that Apostle Peter remembered this? For sure, yes! In fact, when Mathias was chosen to replace the one who had gone astray, it was done in an ambience of prayer (Acts 1:15-26). The seven deacons were chosen not only to distribute bread but also to be involved in evangelization as is evinced from the ministry ofStephen and Philip (Acts 6-8). Theearly community feltthe need forprayerwhen selecting those men (Acts 6:1-6).
Thefirst missionaryjourney of Barnabas and Pautis a watershed in the history of the early Church. The Holy Spirit himself intervened in Antioch when teachers and prophets were in prayer along with the believers. The Church was attuned to the voice of the Spirit and in answer to Him sent them forth to announce the Gospel. However, before they launched their mission, the community fasted, prayed, and laid their hands on them (Acts 13:1-3).
The same procedure was repeated when there was the second missionary expedition. The community at Antioch entrusted to the Lord the mission of Barnabas and Mark as welt as that of Pauland Silas (see Acts 15:36-41). Prayer-this was the manner in which the Church was endorsing, encouraging, supporting and sustaining the missionaryteams.
During the third missionary journey Paul prayed for the Gospel heralds, namely for the elders of Ephesus. He entrusted them to God and to the Word of God (Acts 20:32). Before taking leave of them, he knelt down and prayed with them all (Acts 20:36). Paul wanted that their missionary endeavour would be fecund. Prayer was the means forthis goal.
The early community believed that it is God who opens the door of faith (see Acts 14:27). Paul, among the most effective of the Gospel Heralds, discerned God's role and perceived the need for prayer to open the door of faith for Gentiles and Jewsau ke to accept the Gospel (see 1 Car 16:9; 2 Car 2:12 and Col 4:3). He invited the Thessalonians saying, "Finally, brethren, pray for us, that
the word of the Lord may speed on in
triumph, as itdid among you" (2 Thess 3:1).
Fr. (Dr.) Jose Varickasseril, SDB
THEY ispire us!
FR. ELIGIO CINATO
(1898-1964)
411. Provincial "in vinculis"
Born at St. Ambrogio (Turin), after his studies, Eligio chipped in at home as a carpenter. In 1920, after his military service, he gave up his work to join the Salesians. Three years later, he set foot in India at the age of 25 and entered the novitiate in Shillong (1923-24). His first appointment after ordination was as Rector at Raliang, (Meghalaya). Two years Later, he was sent to South India as delegate of the new province of which be was subsequently elected provincial in 1934. He was just 36 years old then. The new South India Province, under the leadership of Fr. Cinato, had 49 professed members and seventeen Salesian presences. The provincial proved himself to be a man of high vision and daring action as the leader of the fledgling province. At the end of his term as the first provincial, the superiors in Turin consulted Mgr. Louis Mathias and appointed Fr. Cinato for a second term in 1939. The World War II (1939-46) put a brake on the rapid growth of Salesian work in India. Fr. Cinato issued a circular to the confreres, advising them to avoid all issues of politics and nationalities, in order to keep the confreres together. After World War II, he worked in Krishnagar, Handel, Raliang and finally in Cherrapunjee. Fr. Cinato died in Cherrapunjee on January 14,1964.
It is highly significant that one of the Last acts of Fr. Cinato was a house visit to a bereaved family. His life had aLways been characterized by boundless sacrifice and selfless charity. As provincial of the new province of South India, he did yeoman's service in works of consolidation, expansion and spiritual animation. In the Concentration Camp at Dehra Dun as provincial "in vinculis" he spared no efforts to organize activities as best as possible. His willingness to work also as Assistant Parish Priest speaks volumes for his religious faith. Known for his extraordinary capacities, Fr. Cinato was at the same time a religious of unassuming humility.
Urgent Prayer Request !
of For our brothers and sisters facing the stark reality
of religious persecution in the Middle East,
in Pakistan, in India and elsewhere.
,kir For the protection of religious freedom, minorities,
civilians especially those who are marginalised.
A prayer
Lord, make us masters of ourselves
that we may be servants of others.
Amen.
FAMILY AS THE NUCLEUS OF EVANGELIZATION
The Salesian Provincial Delegates for Missionary Animation (PDMAs), representatives of the provinces and those of the Salesian Family (FMA, MSMHC, SMI, VDB, Disciples), gathered together with the Delegate Provincial for Missionary Animation in the South Asian Region, Fr. Nestor Guria SOB and the Regional Delegate for Missionary Animation (ROMA) Fr. T.C. George SDB, to study the theme, "Family as the Nucleus of Evangelization". The three-day seminar cure synergy-building was held from November 9-11, 2014 at Don Bosco Provincial House, Chennai.
Fr. Francis Ka racket delivered the keynote address. Fr. Jerome Vallaba raj presented the Instrumentum taboris of the Extraordinary Synod of the Bishops on Family. Br. Edmund Ante o and his Team of the Crusaders for Christ with Mary, a Lay group from Goa, charted the way for a meaningful apostolate in families. Fr. Jayapalan, the Salesian Provincial of Chennai addressed the participants. The group made a pilgrimage to the tomb of St. Thomas, the Apostle to India, where Fr. Maria Arokiam, the Regional Councillor for South Asia, presided over the Eucharist. His Grace Most Rev.
M. Chinnappa, Archbishop Emeritus of Madras-Mylapore, celebrated the concluding Eucharist on November 11, the last day. Fr. Nestor Guile 5D13, concluded the seminar, inviting everyone to be filled with missionary enthusiasm, with special attention to the families. A Pilgrimage to Our Lady of Vela n ka n ni too was organized.
Among the 46 participants were Sr. Christine Mynsong MSMHC, General Councillor for Evangelization, Sr. Jaisy Varickamthottyil SMI, General Councillor for Prime Apostotate and Provincial Councillors for Mission and Evangelization in their respective provinces.
Theseminar participants shared their conviction that:
Reaffirming the Salesian Family as a Missionary Family, the participants pledged to work together for the Lord's mission (Mt 28:19), and thus striveto grow into an effective movement of Evangelization in the Church.
Each group of the Salesian Family drew up plans for implementation for its respective Congregation/Institute. Among the Actions Plans drawn up for promoting networking and collaboration in the Salesian Family figure the following:
The 46 enthusiastic participants from all over the region had a "family" experience of reflection, prayer, sharing of experiences and synergy building. Fr. Pathiaraj coordinated theseminar.
Chennai Province Celebrates Mission Day
Salesian Mission Day 2014 was celebrated by the INM (Chennai Province) at Don Bosco Missionary Aspirantate, Perambur, on 23'' November 2014. One hundred and ninety Salesians and members of Missionary Groups from the various communities of the province gathered together for the occasion which had forits theme: Sharing Christ's Love with Migrants, Fr. (Dr.) Antonyraj Chinnappan SDB brought to our notice that migrants belong to various categories such as those displaced for political reasons, for studies, for better job prospects, within the country as well as beyond the borders of the country. He presented the situation of migrants in India with special reference to Tamil Nadu from many scholarly researches on the issue and impressed upon the participants the untold sufferings that they are forced to endurein silence.
The participants also listened to missionaries from INM province (Bro. Arulappa Sellam, Fr. Johnson Paulraj, Fr. Solomon kolandalswamy, Bro. Antony Sigamani and Fr. Augustine Kariamadam) about the Salesian intervention on behalf ofthe migrantsin various countries such as Uganda, Sudan, Sri Lanka, Ta nzania and Papua New Guinea. The culturaliterns staged by the missionary groupsfrom our formation houses showcased graphically the migrantsituation and its cry for our urgentintervention. The Missionary Day celebration came to a climax with the Eucharistic Celebration presided over by Rev. Fr. Deva pragasa m J oseph 5 D B , the Vice-Provincial.
The reflections of the day were converted into fervent prayer as we placed before Christthe King, the migrants allover the world and Salesian efforts atbettering their plight. The participants leftthe venue with the resolve to getto know moreaboutthemigrantsituation and do something in orderto Lighten theirgrirn situation. MaytheSaLesian missionary heartimpelus!
Basaries' Second Visit to the Region
Rev, Fr. Guillermo Basaries SDB, the General Councillor for the Missions, visits the Tiruchy and Chennai Provinces in April 2015. Tiruchy :April 26 - 28, Chennai :April 29 - May 01.
Missionaries needed in the Region
| Province - Country | Languages Needed | Features of the Location & Qualities required of the Missionaries |
| INC- Kalkata, India | Nepal: Nepali, English | A young mission, social and educational work |
| Bangladesh: Bengali, English | Partoral and education ministry | |
| LKC - Sri Lanka | English, Sinhalese, Tamil | Country has been affected by civil war, great opportunities for Salesian Mission |
| INN - New Delhi, India | Jamshedpur Diocese: Hindi, Bengali, Santali | Parish, School, Outreach apostolate |
| Sambalpur & Rourkela Dioceses: Oriya, Hindi/Sadri, English | Parish, School, Youth Ministry, Young at Risk | |
| ING - Guwahati, India | English | Need practical trainee and formation personnel for the missionary aspirantate in Sirajuli |
"May the Holy Spirit help you to recognise the hopes dreams and challenges of our time, especially of the young, and interpret them in the light of the Gospel and your charism... The Evangelisation of the young is the mission that the Holy Spirit has entrusted to you within the Church. It is strictly hound up with their education: the journey of Faith happens as part of growing up and the Gospel also enriches this human growth. We need to prepare young people to work in society in accordance with the spirit of ihe Gospel, as workers fir justice and peace, and to live as people who are active in the Church."
(From the Address of His Holiness Pope Francis at the Audience for the Gencral Chapter Members on 31 March 2014)
"The best pages of Salesian history are those written' by Salesian missionariesand the great missionaries of - INV
the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians.They helpus to understand, much better than any documents on
missionary spirituality, the basic elements that qualify as a missionary, any Salesian, Daughter of Mary Help of Christians, committed lay person or volunteer, man or woman guided by the Holy Spirit, and enable them to become preachers of the gospel and of the joy of humanity inspired by thevaluesofthe Gospel."
. (From the letter of Fr.Angel Fernandez Anime,the Rector Major,for the Salesian Mission Day 2015].
Year of
Consecrated
WAKE UP THE WORLD Life Special
2015 Year of Consecrated Life
"I want to say one word to you and this word is joy.
Wherever consecrated people are, there is always joy!"
(Pope Francis)
Here is an opportunity for you to share your joy in being a consecrated person.
Speak out! What gives you joy as a consecrated religious? Share your joy in religious life and become an inspiration for others.
Send your sharing to us via: joyfullyinjesus2015@gmail.com ; OR Post your sharing to the address on the last page; OR Join the Facebook group "JOYFULLY in JESUS" and post your sharing directly. This group will be available for the religious only, and will not be open to the public.
Your sharing (maximum 200 words) will be posted in Facebook with your name only. The aim of this campaign is to share the joy of Religious Life, to show the true face of Religious Life, to inspire, to strengthen and to promote joyful discipleship in Jesus. Join this Joy-Share Campaign!
LAUGH CORNER
Three Missionaries
Three Missionaries were having lunch together. One said, "Va know, since summer started I'm having trouble with rats in my loft and attic at church. I've tried everything -noise, spray, cats -- nothing seems to scare them away.
Another said, "Ya, me too. I've got hundreds of them living in my belfry and in the attic. I've even had the place fumigated, and they won't go away."
The third said, "1 baptized all mine, and made them members of the church... Haven'tseen one back since?!"
Brainstorming
Responses to the Question in the previous issue:
Q How can we transform the families into evangelizing families today?
Question 3:
What should be the Christian
response to the increasing
attack against
the Christian community
across India and elsewhere?
Email your reflection to the editor in
one paragraph (maximum of 100 words).
Selected reflections will be published.
You could also post your questions for reflection,
In focus
Don Bosco Missionary Aspirantate, Perambur
Don Bosco was a great missionary at heart. He wanted to be a missionary, but God had other plans for him: he was to send missionaries! He manifested great Love the missions by sending his best sons to the missions. Learning from their father and founder, the Salesians always considered missionary work to be part and parcel. of their being Salesians. The Missionary Aspirantate of Ivrea, (Italy), formed and sent thousands of missionaries to the four corn ers of the world. India itself received over four hundred foreign Salesian missionaries.
The Salesian Province of Chennai took a great step forward and launched the Missionary Aspirantate at Peram bur modelled on the one at Ivrea. The Missionary Aspirantate is our way of thanking God as weLLas of contributing to Holy Mother the Church labourers to gather in His harvest. A survey shows that Indian missionaries are present in more than 160 countries in the world today! For a relatively small Indian Church, with only 1.7% of the population being Catholic, this is no mean achievement! And Salesian India has already sent numerous missionaries especially to Africa and Europe.
Don Bosco Missionary Aspirantate, Perambur, was inaugurated on 29th June 2012, the feast of the great missionaries Sts. Peter and Paul. Situated near Chen nai, Ta mil Nadu, it serves the provinces of Hyderabad, Bangalore, Trichy, Ch en nai and Sri Lanka. Actually the Aspirantate is located in the erstwhile boarding at Perambur attached to a 50-year old Higher Secondary School and a thirty-year old Primary School with a total of 2,700 students. The aspirants frequent this school.
The Salesian Community consists of ten Salesians. There are thi rty (30) aspirants in four groups: Post-Matric students, XI, XII and Post-Higher Secondary students. Post-Matric and Post-Higher Secondary students do a year of orientation (coaching in English, introduction to Hindi, introduction to Italian, basic human skills, basic catechism, Salesianity) before th ey begin their XI or proceed to the Pre-novitiate.
The specific missionary training that is offered in the Aspirantate are the following: Goodnights, Conferences & homilies with a missionaryslant; A strong missionarysection in the library; A month-Long missionary experience in the mission field; Monthly Commemoration of the First Missionary Expedition with Prayer Service & Mass; Preparing notice-boards on missionaries; Missionary Month (like the Marian month) with talks, competitions, etc. from October 11 to November 11; Organization and participation in the Salesian Mission Day of the province; Conferences by the visiting missionaries (missionaries on home holidays); Classes on world (mission lands) history, geography & culture; Daily prayers for the missionaries and for missionary vocations; Missionary Sodalities; Teaching of languages especially Hindi, Italian in addition to English; Preparation of Prayer Services for the commemoration of the Monthly Missionary Day in Tamil & English for the communities of the province; and writing in the Salesian Bulletin on missionarythernes.
First fruits: The Perambur aspirantate has sent four novices to Shillong and Zubza, and three pre-novices to Si raju li. Many more would follow their footsteps. It gives the Salesians much joy and satisfaction to see the aspirants make a steady progress in human, intellectual, spiritual and pastoral field. Soon we should be having a regular flowofrnissionaries!
(Interested candidates may contact Fr. Pathiaraj, Rectorat:pathiaraj@rediffmait.com)
Fr. Pathiaraj SDB
Join our PRAYER MISSION Prayer intentions
JANUARY
For all Salesians of Don Bosco,
that as a Congregation which goes forth
in a Church without borders,
may the Salesian Mission
Day 2015 inspire every Salesian to have the
missionary audacity to go out to the peripheries.
FEBRUARY
For the Pastoral Care of Families in
Inter-America, that the Provinces may have
the courage to launch new initiatives,
especially for young people who
come from broken and dysfunctional homes.
MARCH
For the Formation of Lay People in East Asia,
that Salesians of the East Asia-Oceania Region invest more time and energy in a systematic way in the formation of our lay mission partners both in educating to the faith and in the Preventive System
of education of Don Bosco.
APRIL
For Young Christians in the Middle East and
North Africa who suffer for their Faith, that young
people who suffer various forms of persecution
and marginalisation may always remain steadfast
in their Faith in Jesus Christ.
MAY
For Initial Proclamation in the Region of Central and North Europe, that Salesians in Central and North Europe foster initial proclamation in a secularised context by living up to the values of the Gospel.
BOOK YOUR
SEATS FOR THE
MISSIONARY COURSE 2015
in Shillong, the Scotland of the East
Place: Sacred Heart College, Shillong
Duration: August 2o15
Contact person: Fr. James Poonthuruthil
'arlicipants: Members of the Salesian Family
Limited seats only
Editor: Fr. (Dr.) T.C. George SDB South Asian Delegate for Missionary Animation Don Bosco Renewal Centre, SOS Post. Bannerghatta Road. Bangalore- 560 076, India. Phone; 09448815694; Email: togsdb@yahoo.corn
