austraLasia #3200
HCM: 5 March 2013 -- The General Councillor for the Missions, Fr Klement, has once again been able to visit Vietnam; it is some time since he has had the opportunity to see for himself the processes of discernment, encouragement Salesians are given to be mission-minded in this nation where the Salesian charism has grown so much over recent decades.
There are a total of 84 Vietnamese Salesian missionaries 'ad gentes' who have been formally missioned from Turin in the more recent annual Missionary Expeditions. Of these 84, by far the greater number are of the 'student' category, i.e. they continue their initial formation in their place of mission. Salesian Brothers feature quite prominently amongst these numbers.
In this regard it is interesting to note that Sunday's L'Osservatore Romano carried the official appointment of Bro Dominic Ngyuen Duc Nam as Technical Director of L'Osservatore Romano, replacing the Italian Salesian who has held that post for the past 30 or so years. Bro Dominic has been in Italy since 2006.
Fr Klement spent 5 days in the province visiting, besides the Provincial House, obviously, Dalat, and a quick visit to K'Long retreat House. At the Don Rua community in Dalat he spent time with the postnovices and met with the local council which also includes members of the province mission commission.
Given its significant missionary contribution, Vietnam Province has a well-articulated mission plan which, besides its 'ad gentes' focus, is no less involved in local mission, recognising that some 84% of Vietnamese have not yet had the opportunity to know Jesus and his Gospel. As the plan (2010) put it: "The Province keeps on spurring the mission ad gentes amongst the young confreres. At the same time, a more planned commitment to bring the Gospel to non-Christians in the country is needed. In the 3 coming years, a systematic effort to inspire missionary spirit in those in initial formation (aspirants, prenovices, novices, postnovices and practical trainees) should be done. In this way, the Province tries to encourage the Salesian Brothers and Priests working for the non-Christians. The Province will be attentive to the signs of the time and opportunities to foster the Missions. A closer cooperation with the other provincial commissions for the greater effectiveness of the Mission should be done".
Fr Klement, speaking with the postnovices, pointed out the urgent needs of certain places for missionaries. He explained that missionaries do not bring God to people so much through words, but with loving hearts and their lives. He also pointed out the difficulties in the mission area, requiring a deep inner life with God. Besides, the missionaries also have to put all their faith and trust in Him knowing that their work is in His hands.
Fr Klement also took time to meet and share with 10 new candidates who have put their names forward for the missions this year.
Vietnam Province and mission contribution
There are a total of 84 Vietnamese Salesian missionaries 'ad gentes' who have been formally missioned from Turin in the more recent annual Missionary Expeditions. Of these 84, by far the greater number are of the 'student' category, i.e. they continue their initial formation in their place of mission. Salesian Brothers feature quite prominently amongst these numbers.
In this regard it is interesting to note that Sunday's L'Osservatore Romano carried the official appointment of Bro Dominic Ngyuen Duc Nam as Technical Director of L'Osservatore Romano, replacing the Italian Salesian who has held that post for the past 30 or so years. Bro Dominic has been in Italy since 2006.
Fr Klement spent 5 days in the province visiting, besides the Provincial House, obviously, Dalat, and a quick visit to K'Long retreat House. At the Don Rua community in Dalat he spent time with the postnovices and met with the local council which also includes members of the province mission commission.
Given its significant missionary contribution, Vietnam Province has a well-articulated mission plan which, besides its 'ad gentes' focus, is no less involved in local mission, recognising that some 84% of Vietnamese have not yet had the opportunity to know Jesus and his Gospel. As the plan (2010) put it: "The Province keeps on spurring the mission ad gentes amongst the young confreres. At the same time, a more planned commitment to bring the Gospel to non-Christians in the country is needed. In the 3 coming years, a systematic effort to inspire missionary spirit in those in initial formation (aspirants, prenovices, novices, postnovices and practical trainees) should be done. In this way, the Province tries to encourage the Salesian Brothers and Priests working for the non-Christians. The Province will be attentive to the signs of the time and opportunities to foster the Missions. A closer cooperation with the other provincial commissions for the greater effectiveness of the Mission should be done".
Fr Klement, speaking with the postnovices, pointed out the urgent needs of certain places for missionaries. He explained that missionaries do not bring God to people so much through words, but with loving hearts and their lives. He also pointed out the difficulties in the mission area, requiring a deep inner life with God. Besides, the missionaries also have to put all their faith and trust in Him knowing that their work is in His hands.
Fr Klement also took time to meet and share with 10 new candidates who have put their names forward for the missions this year.
