(ANS - Campo Grande)- "The Salesian Congregation is not a missionary Institute, in the canonical sense of the term. But Don Bosco taught us that the missionary dimension is an essential part of our charism. In the case of the Province of Brazil-Campo Grande, it is a fundamental issue. It has been a missionary Province since its inception and it can be said that, in missionary terms, Don Bosco has been present in three different ways. "

by Fr Eloir Inácio de Oliveira, SDB

The first way was in his dreams. Don Bosco saw the land of Brazil, and in particular Mato Grosso, in a dream where he saw the exuberance of nature and the indigenous people who would benefit from the new Salesian mission which he himself would not live to see. Relying on his dreams, he left us in writing two secrets for the success of the work: water and blood, sweat and martyrdom, and indeed this was verified through the tireless missionary work and martyrdom of three Salesian priests Frs Thannuber, Fuchs, and Rodolfo Sacilotti . (...)

The second way was with the arrival of the first Salesians in America, first in Patagonia and then in Brazil. (...) Don Bosco became known and loved by countless generations who were amazed at his life and his Christian educational project. The Bororo and Xavante people found in the Salesian missions a friendly presence, the strengthening of their spirituality, security and the protection of their material goods, mainly through their ownership of the land being legalized.

The third way was in 2010, when Don Bosco visited the region with the pilgrimage of his relics. He passed through our land again and saw his dreams realized. The Salesians, and the Bororo and Xavantes welcomed him with festivities and celebrations of affection, and he was able to see the result of the efforts of generations of Salesians who worked for evangelization and the inculturation of the Gospel.

Today Don Bosco is alive in the indigenous communities and you can see the continuation of the Salesian charism among the Bororo and Xavantes, especially among their leaders like the many pastoral workers both young and the old and the vocation of Fr Aquilino, a Xavante priest.

We see then that the Salesian Mission of Mato Grosso has a great history of constant presence and a strong relationship with the indigenous people. (...) Now at a time in history when the indigenous people are growing demographically and organizing themselves to fight for their sacred rights, we see the need to act in harmony with them. (...) We also see the importance of Christian formation and the need for training for citizenship. (...)

With their rich cultural tradition the Bororo and Xavantes see life flourishing in many villages. The new age of information and many possibilities also brings, unfortunately, many dangers, contradictions and risks. We want them to build their history in the face of these challenges. And we want to continue to be a presence at their side, to support and fight for a society of diversity, as God has always wanted.

Published  23/06/2015