Péliföldszentkereszt: 10 March 2013 --During
the Austria-Bulgaria-Hungary Project Europe missionaries
encounter in
Péliföldszentkereszt (Hungary, March 1-3) four of
the EAO missionaries
in Europe took part.
Fr Ference (VIE): "I'm
very happy:
eight years ago I could not imagine what we could contribute
to the
Salesian presence in Hungary. But just as Jesus didn't
remain at the
14th station of the Way of the Cross, we too passed slowly
to the
Resurrection. Now I feel very useful, feel trusted (as
Rector,
Provincial Councillor) and well accepted by the Hungarian
youth, lay
mission partners and fellow Salesians. Now I'm busy with the
animation
of the Provincial house community, one Oratory and one
public Church.
So far I haven't picked up all of Hungarian Salesian
history, but our
present Salesian Centenary year in Hungary (1913-2013) is a
good
chance for this."
During the sharing about each one's personal
contribution to Project Europe one EAO Salesian shared as
follows: "In
each Oratory in our province there is one missionary in
charge! We are
happy to be here to serve European youth! There is not much
substantial
difference when Salesian life is fully lived in Asia or
in Europe!
Young Gypsies 'were our salvation'. In the first year we
were dedicated
to intense learning of the local language, but next year I
was already
at work as a priest. The Hungarian situation was easier due
to the
generation gap (40 years without new vocations) and the
first group of
missionaries really offered new hope to the future of
Salesian life
here! Since vocations in Hungary are few, a few years
ago we organized
regular monthly vocation meetings. We invite our leaders or
university
students to join Don Bosco, make him known or pray together.
The
current two novices in Hungary are as a result of these
gatherings.
This year we started a weekly meeting of university students
who also
take part in our community life and mission."
At present there are 17 EAO confreres presently working in
European
provinces (out of a total of 63 SDB missionaries now in 11
European
provinces): France - 3 students of theology; Belgium North -
Netherlands - 1 student of theology and 1 practical trainee;
Ireland -
2 practical trainees, Great Britain - 2 practical trainees;
Hungary - 1
priest and 3 students of theology, Lithuania - 2 priests and
Albania -
2 priests.
Apart from numerous EAO students in Italy there are 4 more
practical
trainees and 2 perpetually professed confreres working in
Portugal
(agreement between the two provinces - ITM/POR).