Rector Major to the 146th missionary expedition at Valdocco

 By Cl. Michael Gaikwad, SDB (New missionary to Cambodia)

Valdocco, September 22, 2015 - 

We are all are missionaries of the young, and our Congregation is a missionary Congregation.

If we remove the missionary dimension the Salesian Congregation will not be the one Don Bosco wanted.

At the death of Don Bosco 20% of the Salesians were missionaries in Latin America, so now at least 3000 SDB should be missionaries. It will be very poor on the part of any Salesian if he says: I'll be a missionary in my own country. You are to incarnate the spirit of Don Bosco in the place where you are going. All the people and Salesians are anxiously waiting for you. They have the responsibility to take care of us who are going to different parts of the world.

Please stress on - take care of yourself, be open and share the differences of your own culture and the place where you are going. It will not be easy, new people, new sensitivity and new culture. Situations will be demanding and challenging. What is demanded of us, especially those working in difficult territories - is responsibility, convictions, deep faith and prudence. We don't go as missionaries just to teach and preach, we go to share the lives of the people where we are sent. We have to go with patience and humility, do good in time, don't rush

Your missionary vocation must grow mature and deeper. Your assignment was not given by lot, it was discerned and then you were assigned. You are the source of hope and gift to the Congregation. Have openess, remember we are not in a hurry, that doesn't mean that you are going to do nothing. We need availability and openness to learn the new language. We need to learn as much as we can fit those whom we are going to meet. Old missionaries were going to teach and to preach, today in 2015, in the modern theology and anthropology, we have to walk with the people. We are sent not to do but to share and live with the people.

Why five (5) Salesians are being sent to Sri Lanka in this missionary expedition?

We believe and dream that Sri Lanka has a good future, the LKC Vice-province was started only recently and it needs consolidation. New Vice-province needs a new missionaries and a new push.

If you (=Rector Major) would be sent as a missionary (to Sri Lanka) what would you do?

Do what the Rector Major just told you: to be more than do. And personally he said, - I'll live with the Salesian identity which means in search of young people, get out of the house to meet the young people. We have to show the capacity to be with young people is Sri Lanka. We have to show the complete dimensions of the face of Don Bosco in Sri Lanka. Especially with the young people who are not with us in our institutions.

About the future of the Salesian mission in Africa?

The work in Africa is like a Salesian miracle. Growth awaits us in Africa. By God's grace we are growing in Africa. There are two directions we must take: First - deepen our pastoral work with families especially the new fire new evangelization through catechism. Second - grow in the charismatic identity of our congregation, the capacity to accompany the young and the young Salesians.

Some advice for the 146th missionary expedition Salesians?

Have humility and patience. Have the capacity to see the difference and the value in that difference we will see as missionaries. We often speak about inculturation, it is very demanding, it demands a whole lifetime of the missionary. It demands me to renounce certain things. Please don't think of teaching, and preaching, we go to live and share and it is in living and sharing we work. We have a risk, we have become Salesians to do things, sometimes we say - I'm Salesian because I can do things, instead I'm a Salesian because I can live and share with people. All of us must make efforts to inculturate ourselves. Situations of war in Middle East draws the best from us, -- gave example of Salesians working there. Those who live simple and poor lives are joyful and happy Salesians, those who live the life of middle class are not the happy Salesians.

Message to us Salesians?

Salesians must be authentic and must be faithful to the charism of Don Bosco.

Message to young people in war situation?

Even in times of suffering never lose hope. Don't let ear rob you of your dreams.

How must and SDB collaborate with FMAs in the mission land, since yesterday we went to Mornese?

Salesians must always wish the FMA'S well. Work with openness, simplicity and prudence. We give witness to the world as we Salesians SDB work with lay people and the FMA Sisters. Live your life with respect to the FMA. Respect the FMA who is an FMA, who is consecrated, who is a woman. It will do great good to the Salesian to know about Mary Mazzarello. We have a common father - Don Bosco. Every Salesian should be Don Bosco, having his heart and mind of a Father.

Advice for the missionaries for Cambodia

Don't speak too much!! Not to teach, but just to share and be with the people. Your greatest contribution is to be a confrere among confreres. Build fraternal life based on the Gospel. Be builders of communion with the capacity to meet the young. They don't need us to do something but we have to be a witness of Jesus and fraternal life.

Message of the RM’s homily during the Eucharist

Today is the memory of Blessed Martyr Fr. Joseph Calasanz and companions (Spain). To begin the journey to be a missionary is not so important, than to take the journey. To vary in your heart, "Lord which is Your will for me? ". This will purify our heart, lives and intentions.