By Bro. Jomar Castillo, SDB

UPS, Rome, 1 October 2016 -- On the Feast of St. Therese of the Child Jesus, the Little Flower, we would like to give you some updates on the 20th On-Going Formation Course for Missionaries in Rome:

The Course for On-Going Formation for Missions Ministry opened last 26 September 2016 at the Università Pontificia Salesian, Rome. On it's 20th edition, it aims to renew the understanding of various experiences of mission as the reality of faith and salvation accordingly, to an enriching sharing and moments of identity and openness. It is a goal that brings attention to the missionary concerns not in a self-sense, but always referenced to God.

The participants are composed of long-time missionaries, missionary animators and, this time around, some new missionaries from the recent expedition. They come from different provinces. There were alo some participants from other religious congregations. The biggest delegation come from South America.

The course was a collaboration between the Salesians of Don Bosco (SDB) and the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians (FMA) Missions Departments, and the Università Pontificia Salesian organized by Fr. Martin Lasarte, SDB, Sr. Blanca Sanchez, FMA and Fr. Antonio Escudero, SDB (UPS).

Fr. Guillermo Basañes, SDB, councillor for the missions of the SDB's welcomed the participants on the first day. He encouraged the missionaries to undergo the process well to have a renewed missionary spirit living the missionary charism of Don Bosco (and other charisms) and the call of the Church. The course has three movements: the contexts, the message and the missionary process. Professors from the Salesian University and other resource persons were invited to enrich the course through their expertise. Aside from the various lessons offered, the course will have some highlights like a week of spiritual exercises and a pilgrimage to the Holy Land towards the end of the course in December among others.

Let us pray for the fruitful outcome of this program.

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