October 2012

DDeeaarr CCoonnffrreerreess,, I want to start my monthly reflection with a prayer, which perfectly introduces us in the mood of the Missionary Month. Praying for all the African catechists we entrust our personal work of Evangelization among the young and the formation of our immediate collaborators in the hands of Mary (October, month of the Rosary). I would like to highlight the availability on the net of a “special” Rosary with this intention of prayer for Young catechists in Africa. If we can fix the 15th of October for this prayer in the entire Province it would be great. Check the link http://www.sdb.org/en/Departments/Missions/Mission_SMD/Mission_Rosary_Day_2013_A

This month also marks the beginning of the Year of Faith. A concrete proposal for our missionary groups, youth

groups of formation or even study courses is to put in the hands of our youth the “Youcat”, a simple and attractive way to (re)discover and strengthen our Faith. I propose to you Question 11 of Youcat, the real basis and justification of any work we start in the field of evangelization May God bless all of us

BBrroo.. PPaaoolloo

Salesian Mission intention of prayer for the month of October

For the Young catechists of Africa

That the Young catechists of Africa may continue to grow in their faith.

In the Post-Synodal Exhortation “Africae Munus” n.127, Pope Benedict XVI urges: “Dear catechists, remember that for many communities you are the first embodiment of the zealous disciple and a model of Christian life. I encourage you to proclaim, by your example, that family life merits great esteem, that a Christian upbringing prepares young people to live in society as persons who are honest and trustworthy in their dealings with others”. Many of the catechists, both in cities and villages, who are young and usually already married, face enormous difficulties and trials in their mission. We pray that accompanied by the confreres and with a good formation they may grow in faith and service to the local Churches

11 Why do we hand on the faith?

We hand on the faith because Jesus commands us:

“Go therefore and make disciples of all

nations” (Mt 28:19).

No genuine Christian leaves the transmission of the faith exclusively to specialists (teachers, pastors, missionaries). We are Christ for others. This means that every genuine Christian would like God to come to other people, too. He says to himself, “The Lord needs me! I have been baptized and confirmed and am responsible for helping the people around me to learn about God and ‘to come to the knowledge of the truth’ (1 Tim 2:4b). Mother Teresa used a good comparison: “Often you can see power lines running alongside the street. Unless current is flowing through them, there is no light. The power line is you and I! The current is God! We have the power to allow the current to flow through us and thus to generate the light of the world: Jesus—or to refuse to be used and, thus, allow the darkness to spread.”

Missionary group in Sierra Leone! Fr. Uba sent me an email to

inform about the existence of a missionary group in Freetown since three years. He will share with us some good material ready for use (no copyright!). Thank you so much and have a good missionary work.

And now some news…

143rd Missionary expedition! Our confrere Joseph Kunle Ogundana has completed the preparatory course for Missionaries “ad gentes” and received the Missionary Cross in the cradle of the Salesian Congregation, the shrine of Mary Help of Christians in Valdocco, Turin. Here you can see a picture group of the people witnessing the event and excerpts of a sharing of the rector Major with our confrere.

I would like to remind the celebration of the Salesian Missionary Day in the month of October or November (see previous issue of AFW Mission).

Isaac Okoh,

practical training in South Sudan sent a

nice article and a picture witnessing

his missionary work. Because of space I

post only the picture leaving the

article for next month issue. Dear Isaac, keep it up!

We are close to you in prayer!

Question from Joseph Kunle, AFW

missionary to Bangladesh

You highlighted not to be social workers. Its difficult to make a distinction. We need to help the poor people. Empty stomach is to be fed, only then we can proclaim. HOW to strike balance of these two?

RM - The grace of unity between to BE consecrated people completely donated to God and apostles totally dedicated for the people we are sent for. Temptation is about - what mission is and some activities are. There are many teachers. But as SDB teacher i will try to be Salesian teacher. Being a mystic means to be absent from the urgent needs of the people. DB - provided first with material needs and education, but DID not as a philanthropist I do is as a priest or consecrated. What does matter, .... There are many lay people who work in our schools, they are not consecrated people... In Bangladesh you will meet already 1 novice, some pre-novices and aspirants.. Fr. Francis is not only hard working Salesian, but also a mystic, prayerful man of vision.

P.S.: Would you like to share some experiences or pictures of the Missionary group in your house? (email it to paolo@sdbsunyani.org)

Thanks