austraLasia 1218
East Asia-Oceania strong source of missionary vocations for 2006
ROME: 1 August 2005 -- Of the 40 new missionaries in the Congregation for 2006, already an exceptionally high number, twelve come from the EAO Region, fifteen from South Asia, nine from Europe North Region (all from Poland), one each from Spain, Italy, Africa (Angola), South America (Ecuador). Of the dozen from EAO, ten are from Vietnam and have already arrived in Italy to learn some Italian and process visa requirements for destinations in Africa (Sudan, Gambela), Hungary, Lithuania, Mongolia, Albania.
The ten Vietnamese offer an interesting picture taken together: they range between ages 27-31, most having just completed their third year of post novitiate, one already ordained priest. They all come from large families, with as many as ten siblings, two of them have older brothers already Salesians, all have completed university studies (one as architect and engineer), and almost all of them can communicate in English thanks to the Dalat formation programme.
All of these candidates, speaking of their missionary vocation, indicate that it has been in their minds since novitiate or before. They were challenged and motivated by reading lives of missionaries and meeting missionaries. They were inspired by the Salesian martyr missionaries Versiglia and Caravario in the region, especially. These individual motivations were supported by actions in the Province - the home visit by Fr Andrew Tin from Mongolia, and a provincial gathering for interested missionaries with encouragement from the Provincial (Fr Them) to write directly to the Rector Major.
When they applied, all of them left the decision entirely open for anywhere in the world. The decision for some of them to go to a European country (Hungary, Lithuania) might have been a surprise for them, but 'Here I am, Lord, send me' seems to be the common response.
Since most of this group will be at the practical training stage, they will commence this phase after language studies for their respective destinations. The centrally-based mission course in Rome/Turin will take place from 11-25 September, at the end of which they will receive their cross and mandate.
Additionally to the ten from Vietnam there is one from ITM (East Timor) and one from Korea. A further group from India will receive their cross in February from the Rector Major at the conclusion of the centenary of Salesian presence in that country. Seven are coming into EAO from all of these missionaries, one from Poland, one from Korea (to PNG-SI), and five from India - all going to PNG-SI.
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East Asia-Oceania strong source of missionary vocations for 2006
ROME: 1 August 2005 -- Of the 40 new missionaries in the Congregation for 2006, already an exceptionally high number, twelve come from the EAO Region, fifteen from South Asia, nine from Europe North Region (all from Poland), one each from Spain, Italy, Africa (Angola), South America (Ecuador). Of the dozen from EAO, ten are from Vietnam and have already arrived in Italy to learn some Italian and process visa requirements for destinations in Africa (Sudan, Gambela), Hungary, Lithuania, Mongolia, Albania.
The ten Vietnamese offer an interesting picture taken together: they range between ages 27-31, most having just completed their third year of post novitiate, one already ordained priest. They all come from large families, with as many as ten siblings, two of them have older brothers already Salesians, all have completed university studies (one as architect and engineer), and almost all of them can communicate in English thanks to the Dalat formation programme.
All of these candidates, speaking of their missionary vocation, indicate that it has been in their minds since novitiate or before. They were challenged and motivated by reading lives of missionaries and meeting missionaries. They were inspired by the Salesian martyr missionaries Versiglia and Caravario in the region, especially. These individual motivations were supported by actions in the Province - the home visit by Fr Andrew Tin from Mongolia, and a provincial gathering for interested missionaries with encouragement from the Provincial (Fr Them) to write directly to the Rector Major.
When they applied, all of them left the decision entirely open for anywhere in the world. The decision for some of them to go to a European country (Hungary, Lithuania) might have been a surprise for them, but 'Here I am, Lord, send me' seems to be the common response.
Since most of this group will be at the practical training stage, they will commence this phase after language studies for their respective destinations. The centrally-based mission course in Rome/Turin will take place from 11-25 September, at the end of which they will receive their cross and mandate.
Additionally to the ten from Vietnam there is one from ITM (East Timor) and one from Korea. A further group from India will receive their cross in February from the Rector Major at the conclusion of the centenary of Salesian presence in that country. Seven are coming into EAO from all of these missionaries, one from Poland, one from Korea (to PNG-SI), and five from India - all going to PNG-SI.
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