November 2012

DDeeaarr CCoonnffrreerreess,, 11th of November 1875! The beginning of the Salesian

Missionary expeditions! A day marked by solemn ceremonies in the Church of Mary Help of Christians in Turin and by a precise program of missionary work set up by Don Bosco himself: pastoral care of Italian immigrants in Argentina and after a process of consolidation, the evangelization of Patagonia. “We are at the beginning of a mighty enterprise, not because we have pretensions, nor because we believe we can convert the whole world in a few days… but who knows? This departure for the Missions, this humble beginning may be the seed that will grow into a mighty tree. It may be the tiny grain of mustard that will grow to accomplish great things” (Don Bosco). Clear ideas and a lot of courage supported by the prophetic dreams of Don Bosco and by a strong faith in the Divine Providence.

The Universal Church has witnessed a remarkable event, the just concluded synod of the Bishops on the New Evangelization for the Transmission of the Christian Faith. It is a synod which gives clear guidelines for this new evangelization and good to put the suggestions that come from it into practice.

Let us tune our prayer for the Missionary intention of the Month, which comprises the urgency of new evangelisation and attention to young migrants.

God bless all of us

BBrroo.. PPaaoolloo

A synthesis of the Holy Father during the

homily of the closing celebration: “I would like here to highlight three pastoral themes that have emerged from the Synod. The first concerns the sacraments of Christian initiation. It has been reaffirmed that appropriate catechesis must accompany preparation for Baptism, Confirmation

and Eucharist. The importance of Confession, the sacrament of God’s mercy, has also been emphasized. This sacramental journey is where we encounter the Lord’s call to holiness, addressed to

all Christians. In fact it has often been said that the real protagonists of the new evangelization are the saints: they speak a language intelligible to all

through the example of their lives and their works of charity.

Secondly, the new evangelization is essentially linked to the Missio ad Gentes. The Church’s task is to evangelize, to proclaim the message of salvation to those who do not yet know Jesus Christ. During the Synod, it was emphasized that there are still

many regions in Africa, Asia and Oceania whose inhabitants await with lively expectation, sometimes without being fully aware of it, the first proclamation of the Gospel. So we must ask the

Holy Spirit to arouse in the Church a new missionary dynamism, whose protagonists are, in particular,

pastoral workers and the lay faithful. Globalization has led to a remarkable migration of peoples. So the first proclamation is needed even in countries that were evangelized long ago. All people have a right to know Jesus Christ and his Gospel: and Christians, all Christians – priests, religious and lay faithful – have a corresponding duty to proclaim the

Good News.

A third aspect concerns the baptized whose lives do not reflect the demands of Baptism. During the Synod, it was emphasized that such people are found in all continents, especially in the most secularized countries. The Church is particularly

concerned that they should encounter Jesus Christ

anew, rediscover the joy of faith and return to religious practice in the community of the faithful.

Salesian Mission intention of prayer for the month of November

The animation of the Project Europe in all 28 Provinces of Europe

That Project Europe may open new horizons and stir up new hopes to foster the endogenous revitalisation of the Salesian charism in the continent.

In the last five years all the Provinces of Europe began the process to revitalise the Salesian charism in Europe from within. Thus new horizons were opened for 6,300 confreres present in the continent. The Committee for Project Europe which meets every six months and the Assembly of the Provincials of Europe which meets every two years - have identified two specific topics of this process. Besides the Salesian contribution for the new evangelisation of young people it aims at more focused commitment for young migrants and their families in Europe. There are about 40 million migrants in Europe (20 million came to Europe from other continents, 10 million moved within the continent and about 10 million Gypsies - Roma) most of them are Christians.

Last issue of AFW mission showed a pictu re of Isaac Okoh in Sudan. Now the letter he attached to it:

“Dear confreres, greetings from South Sudan. I am pleased for the invitation to share my experience with you. I have been transferred from Wau to Juba since August 2012. I have already settled down with the people and with my duties—though I need a bit more time to gain complete friendship and initiation with the mosquitoes. So far they have refused me free movement without ‘taxing some due of blood’. But the experience is really exciting. My mission here includes: Pre-novitiate, youth centre (in-charge), and parish.

MY DREAMS: To be able to offer a response of love, consolation and renewal to young people who

are still bearing the scars and traumas caused by war. Many are ex-soldiers others are orphans with hardly any reason to live for. A lot of them need answers to their list of whys??? My only response so far has been silence and prayer. I am counting on God to answer them in whatever way He deems best.

I dream of a world young people who are bonded in peace and unity. I dream of a situation of youth free from tribal and regional oblivion. I dream of a young people zealous for Christ! RESPONSE FROM THE PEOPLE I find the people very welcoming, open and cordial especially with the church’s ministers. Some are however meticulous about what is said and done—to whom, why, when and how? Certain indications suggest that the services rendered by the church during the time of war might have been mistaken for what the church essentially is. Much has to be done to renew the primary identity of the church as bearer of the Good News of Christ. The people have a strong capacity for change and are able to make their situation better. They are also very eager to learn more and deepen their Christian faith. They are a constant reminder of my vow of poverty. May God bless the people of

South Sudan.