Towards the 150th Salesian Missionary Expedition (2019)

By Fr. Jaroslav Vracovsky, SDB
Mongolia Delegation (VIE)

Turin, Italy, 1 October 2018 -- Maybe some of you watched on the internet streaming the 149th Salesian Missionary Expedition Eucharist celebrated at Valdocco (September 30) presided by the Rector Major. For 25 of us, new missionaries, it was the last most deeply felt moment after four weeks of preparation in Rome and Turin.

Go into the whole world - our destinations are really 'global: Argentina, Cambodia, Mongolia, Turkey, Ireland, Italy, Belgium, Ucraine, Tunisia, Gambia and South Sudan.

Last two days at Valdocco were lived with many Italian missionary group members (Harambee Feast), with prayers, talks, sharing and celebrations. For me the last month was a deep life experience with African dances, Indian songs, four-language prayer, sharing of SDB general councilors and senior missionaries, personal touch with Don Bosco holy places... all these are unforgettable memories that we will treasure for the rest of our life.

"Go out, to share Christ with all!" - This invitation of Pope Francis is not only us new SDB missionaries. It's for all, who would like to take their Christian faith seriously. For us, who received the missionary call does mean to live our native land and go with Jesus to unknown future, always with an open heart on the journey! Salesian missionary vocation a real offer of deeply happy life in our new mission, selfgiving and experience of Gospel transforming power.

Yesterday we were encouraged by our Rector Major, Fr. Angel F. Artime who gave us the missionary Cross: "For us there are no frontiers... The same Salesian spirit of Don Bosco will lead you not much into doing, doing, doing... but to embrace every day the poor young people, the humanity in our destinations with all tenderness like the early SDB and FMA missionaries in America... and to be courageous to choose always the most needed and the last!"

Five of us will continue our missionary formation through the UPS - Salesian Pontifical University course in Rome until next December, but the majority will leave almost immediately towards their destinations and the 11 FMA Sisters will continue their formation in Rome until next June 2019.

NB: Through the 149th our EAO region increased of two confreres - Fr. Jaroslav Vracovsky (CEP) was definitely transferred to Vietnam-Mongolia Province (VIE) and Cl. Harris Raymond (INK) will soon arrive to Thailand-Cambodia-Laos (THA) province. Welcome!

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