austraLasia #3203
Péliföldszentkereszt: 10 March 2013 -- During the Austria-Bulgaria-Hungary Project Europe missionaries encounter in Péliföldszentkereszt (Hungary, March 1-3) four of the EAO missionaries in Europe took part.
Fr Ference (VIE): "I'm very happy: eight years ago I could not imagine what we could contribute to the Salesian presence in Hungary. But just as Jesus didn't remain at the 14th station of the Way of the Cross, we too passed slowly to the Resurrection. Now I feel very useful, feel trusted (as Rector, Provincial Councillor) and well accepted by the Hungarian youth, lay mission partners and fellow Salesians. Now I'm busy with the animation of the Provincial house community, one Oratory and one public Church. So far I haven't picked up all of Hungarian Salesian history, but our present Salesian Centenary year in Hungary (1913-2013) is a good chance for this."
During the sharing about each one's personal contribution to Project Europe one EAO Salesian shared as follows: "In each Oratory in our province there is one missionary in charge! We are happy to be here to serve European youth! There is not much substantial difference when Salesian life is fully lived in Asia or in Europe! Young Gypsies 'were our salvation'. In the first year we were dedicated to intense learning of the local language, but next year I was already at work as a priest. The Hungarian situation was easier due to the generation gap (40 years without new vocations) and the first group of missionaries really offered new hope to the future of Salesian life here! Since vocations in Hungary are few, a few years ago we organized regular monthly vocation meetings. We invite our leaders or university students to join Don Bosco, make him known or pray together. The current two novices in Hungary are as a result of these gatherings. This year we started a weekly meeting of university students who also take part in our community life and mission."
At present there are 17 EAO confreres presently working in European provinces (out of a total of 63 SDB missionaries now in 11 European provinces): France - 3 students of theology; Belgium North - Netherlands - 1 student of theology and 1 practical trainee; Ireland - 2 practical trainees, Great Britain - 2 practical trainees; Hungary - 1 priest and 3 students of theology, Lithuania - 2 priests and Albania - 2 priests.
Apart from numerous EAO students in Italy there are 4 more practical trainees and 2 perpetually professed confreres working in Portugal (agreement between the two provinces - ITM/POR).
EAO contribution to PE: focus on Hungary
Fr Ference (VIE): "I'm very happy: eight years ago I could not imagine what we could contribute to the Salesian presence in Hungary. But just as Jesus didn't remain at the 14th station of the Way of the Cross, we too passed slowly to the Resurrection. Now I feel very useful, feel trusted (as Rector, Provincial Councillor) and well accepted by the Hungarian youth, lay mission partners and fellow Salesians. Now I'm busy with the animation of the Provincial house community, one Oratory and one public Church. So far I haven't picked up all of Hungarian Salesian history, but our present Salesian Centenary year in Hungary (1913-2013) is a good chance for this."
During the sharing about each one's personal contribution to Project Europe one EAO Salesian shared as follows: "In each Oratory in our province there is one missionary in charge! We are happy to be here to serve European youth! There is not much substantial difference when Salesian life is fully lived in Asia or in Europe! Young Gypsies 'were our salvation'. In the first year we were dedicated to intense learning of the local language, but next year I was already at work as a priest. The Hungarian situation was easier due to the generation gap (40 years without new vocations) and the first group of missionaries really offered new hope to the future of Salesian life here! Since vocations in Hungary are few, a few years ago we organized regular monthly vocation meetings. We invite our leaders or university students to join Don Bosco, make him known or pray together. The current two novices in Hungary are as a result of these gatherings. This year we started a weekly meeting of university students who also take part in our community life and mission."
At present there are 17 EAO confreres presently working in European provinces (out of a total of 63 SDB missionaries now in 11 European provinces): France - 3 students of theology; Belgium North - Netherlands - 1 student of theology and 1 practical trainee; Ireland - 2 practical trainees, Great Britain - 2 practical trainees; Hungary - 1 priest and 3 students of theology, Lithuania - 2 priests and Albania - 2 priests.
Apart from numerous EAO students in Italy there are 4 more practical trainees and 2 perpetually professed confreres working in Portugal (agreement between the two provinces - ITM/POR).
