(ANS – Rome) – The Department for theSalesian Missions has published the proceedings of the "Study Days on Salesian Mission and the first Christian proclamation in South Asia", held in Kolkata, India, 7 to 11 August 2011. The text, published in English, is at present being distributed.

This is the 61stvolume of publications sponsored by the Department for the Missions. It takes up again what was saidin 2011 in Kolkata. It is the second stage of a worldwide review of the Salesian mission and of the first announcement of the Gospel in each specific geographic and cultural region (Europe, Southeast Asia, East Asia, Oceania, America and Africa-Madagascar). The meeting in Kolkata was attended by about 50 people, including Salesians, Daughters of Mary Help of Christians, Missionary Sisters of Mary Help of Christians, the Catechist Sisters of Mary Immaculate Help of Christians and the group "Disciples.". 

“Seeing that the present missionary climate around the world has reduced the passion, the fire in people to be announcers of the message, the Salesian Family, like Don Bosco in his time, when the Church was on its back foot, came forward to support its mission by organizing the study days on initial proclamation in Kolkata” says Fr Jose Ani of the Salesian Mission department in Rome.

“Humanity in our region bleeds in many ways. Can we intervene to bring these resources together for a change in the quality of life of our people?” asks Fr Kanaga. He reminds the Salesian Family that “the Church exists for a mission. We disciples of Jesus Christ are called to share the Good News in a human community which is violently opposed to the Gospel. Salesians in South Asia come from diverse places, each with its cultural and religious marks of specificity. We are first and foremost evangelizers. We are asked to evangelize not in the old way but in new ways.”

“The faith of the people is strong, while the faith of leaders of the Church is to be re-kindled with the fire of the truth of the Gospel” said Fr. Václav Klement, the Misson Councillor of the Salesians.

This publication is meant to be a means of mission animation for the Salesian Family members as well as the Church as a whole. Anyone can use it and its contents for animation,  to put a little fire of the Gospel into his life.

Published 01/10/2013