Turin, Italy, 24 September 2016 -- I am Bro. Jomar, a Salesian Coadjutor, from Philippines North (FIN) bound to Manaus, Brazil (BMA). I had a chance to interview Fr. Alfred about the Orientation Course for New Missionaries. For us, new missionaries, this course is very enriching and energizing. The experiences has given us great confidence and courage. But most of all to PUT GOD FIRST in everything we do.
Interview with Fr. Alfred Maravilla, originally from FIN Province, missionary in Papua New Guinea for 21 years and for the past 7 years coordinator of the Orientation Course for New Missionaries of the Missions Sector.
How is this formation program for missionaries similar to what Don Bosco started when he sent the first missionaries to south america?
When Don Bosco sent his first missionaries, he sent them first for some months to study Spanish. So were the succeeding missionary expeditions. But basically that was all. They were expected to learn the languageand culture in their mission.
During the time of Blessed Philip Rinaldi he decided to establish the missionary aspirantates in Italy, like Ivreawhere many missionaries to East Asia were formed.(Later missionary aspirantates were established also in Spain, France, England, etc.). His idea was that missionaries were to be sent after the aspirantate to the missions where they will make their novitiate. Hence,there was no need of preparing them before the send off because their missionary formation goes hand in hand with their initial Salesian formation.
When did this program start?
After Vatican II there was a greater sensitivity for inculturation so there were different types of preparation varying in duration. Until 20 years ago when Fr. Luciano Odorico was the Councillor for missions there was a weeklong formation partly in Rome and partly in Turin. Under Fr. Francis Allencherry this was extended to 10 days. Since 2009, under Fr. Václav Klement the course was reorganized following this 25 days programwhich starts in Rome and the last 8 days are spent in Piedmont.
Can you give us important/interesting highlights of the course?
The Orientation Course for New Missionaries is intended to provide departing missionaries the necessary tools to encounter a new people and culture and take on the personal attitude of openness, which is respectful and trusting in order to foster a pleasant, efficient, humble and discreet missionary presence. Hence, this course is primarily formation (foster values and attitudes necessary for a missionary) not information(acquisition of new knowledge or skills).
Can you share to us some inspiring insights from the participants?
The course has 3 nuclei: anthropological, missiological and Salesian. We often receive letters from missionaries expressing their appreciation particularly the module which helped them to deal with culture shock and the possibility to reflect on the charismatic elements in the life and experience of Don Bosco in loco.
If you are scouting for missionaries, what are the three important characteristics that you are looking for? Please explain?
We do not ‘scout’ for missionaries! The Salesian missionary vocation is a call within our common Salesian vocation. Therefore, it is important that every Salesian discerns with his spiritual director if he has this call. Some indications (among others) are: living his own Salesian life now with missionary zeal; openness to a new culture; adaptability; ability to learn a new language; and capacity to work as a team with Salesians, sisters and lay people. A confrere who has difficulty in integrating in the ordinary life of his community is not meant to be a missionary because the new and more challenging environment in the missions could even aggravate this difficulty.
A final word to our EAO confreres?
Our region has received so much from the missionaries. All our Provinces still need missionaries to help us inculturate the Salesian charism. Similarly all our Provinces can give much more for the whole Congregation. When we receive and give even more we not only enrich other Provinces but we become even more enriched!
This Sunday, September 25 the Rector Major will give the missionary cross to the 18 members of the 147thmissionary expedition during the solemn Eucharist in the Basilica of Mary Help of Christians, Valdocco at 12.00 noon Italian time. The event could be followed by streaming video at ANS website.
