By Fr. Alfred Maravilla, SDB
Missions Sector, Rome
Yakutsk, Russia, 9 August 2016 -- Upon the invitation of the Province of Slovakia Fr. Guillermo Basañes sent me to visit our Salesian presence in Yakutsk. Salesians from Slovakia arrived there in 1992 to respond to the invitation of the local Catholic bishop to minister to the few Catholics scattered in the vast territory. When the Vice Province of Russia was established the presence became part of it. Upon its abolition a few years back it became again part of SLK.
Yakutsk is often referred to as ‘in Siberia’. Actually it is further northeast of the Siberian territory. Novosibirsk, the capital of Siberia, is also the seat of the local diocese. Yakutsk, instead, is the capital of Yakutia (or Sakha Republic) of the Russian Federation. It is known for being the coldest region of the northern hemisphere (from +35°C during the summer to -45°C during the winter).
Although Russians are considered to be traditionally Orthodox, in reality majority of baptized Sakhans do not practice their faith while many do not believe in anything at all. There are also many indigenous peoples who continue to practice shamanism. Together with Russian as the official language, the Yakut language is very widely spoken. Geographically it is in Asia while the local mentality is very close to that of northeast Asia.
From August 3-9, 2016, together with the Province Delegate for Missionary Animation of SLK, we journeyed with the 4 confreres working there to discern God’s will regarding the significance and prospects of our presence in such isolated and harsh territory.
In Yakutsk Salesians minister to few local Catholics and foreigners (particularly Filipino women workers) in the parish (the only Catholic parish in the whole territory as big as China). They also have a youth center which could offer many possibilities for initial proclamation to 20,000 university students who come to the capital. Recently they had a good participation of young people for summer English camp. To many youth English could be a way that could stir up interest in the person of Jesus Christ. Salesians also have a chaplaincy in Aldan 500 kms away where they reach out to few Catholics scattered around the area.
During the process of community discernment through discussions, reflections and moments of personal prayer, it became clear to Salesians working in the territory that as missionaries they are sent to plant and foster the growth of the Church by strengthening the faith of the local Catholics and foster initial proclamation among those who do not know Christ especially among youth and the indigenous peoples.
They also expressed the need of strengthening our presence with reinforcement preferably Asian Salesians who could speak English. As a result of these days of community discernment they were able to draw up the Salesian Missionary Strategic Plan which they presented to the Provincial and his Council for approval.
Yakutia is certainly a very missionary setting. Although the environment is harsh it offers us Salesians the great missionary privilege of planting and building up the local Church. Perhaps it is not by chance that the only direct flights abroad from Yakutsk are to Seoul, Peking and Hong Kong. I believe Yakutks beckons our East Asian Provinces: Come help us!
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