Tokyo, Japan, 9 November -- From our daily experience we know, that being born in most of the East Asian countries as a Catholic does mean to be a missionary 'inter gentes' (among the non-believers). We like or not, living as a tiny minority of Christian believers among the 99% of non Christians is a wonderful challenge for each of East Asian young people born in Catholic families.
In all of our five Salesian schools in Japan there is some kind of Catholic club or Catholic action (Catho-ken) mostly for the Catholic students or possible catechumens. However in one of these schools the spiritual animator succeed to widen the small circle of Catholic with few nice initiatives of Bible study, of volunteer service but first of all with the active missionary attitude of some high catholic students. One of them (Junior high school third year student) was happy to answer to this simple interview:
Who taught you to love Jesus, to pray to God?
Since I got infant baptism, I’ve already be accustomed to put my hands together when I reached the age of discretion.
What is your favorite prayer and/or prayer intention?
“Ave Maria” is the most favorite prayer of mine. I pray it for my family, or in the case I really implore something to be accomplished.
How did you join the Catho-ken? and why?
I was called by Father (spiritual moderator of the school) at first, and then I thought I could do something for others as a Christian, and that’s why I decided to join our Catho-ken (Catholic students club).
What makes you happy as a disciple of Jesus?
Even if I confronted great obstacles, I could see the way to proceed ahead because I have faith in myself.
How do you approach other fellow students with your missionary heart? and why?
For example, I planned with my friends, to go and help the victims of the flood as volunteers. In this way to put my faith into action. We thought we could do something, even if it would be only a small gesture, for the people in need. On the spot, a Filipino missionary sister showed us so miserable conditions that we could work for the people wholeheartedly.
Before the 11th November, anniversary of the first Salesian missionary expedition of Don Bosco, it's a good time to think about about being the missionary among our fellow non Christians in East Asia and Oceania.
