(ANS – Kenitra) – The Salesian school in Kenitra, Morocco offers its students an all-round education, without consideration of differences of religious belief. Fr Isidore Mbokolo has been working there for about  a month after being part of the 142nd Missionary Expedition. He intends to make his contribution to the young people through his friendship and trust.

Originally from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, in  Kenitra Fr Mbokolo, has already begun working along side two Salesians with and for the youngsters in the Vocational Training School in Electricity (JUK SPEL). It already has an excellent reputation: “We are known and appreciated for the serious approach to work, for the bilingual French-Arabic education and the various projects” However the community has more ambitious aims: “To open the way for those who will come after us, so that they will find people who are friendly and trusting” Fr Mbokolo says.

In order to do this in a country which is officially Muslim  and where Christianity is allowed but where explicit evangelisation is forbidden  it is  fundamental to create relationships of friendship and goodwill: “We have to become accepted by the Muslims, becoming their good friends to whom they go when they have problems or  difficulties, with the wisdom and the justice they can rely on. Only when we achieve that will we be able to good for their souls.”

“First of all we have to inspire in them total confidence that we are genuine, honest people and provide a good education in the schools of Don Bosco. We have to give them some idea of our religion through our kindness and goodness, and create relationships as close as possible, with the Muslims of the Christians, the local people or the French …”.

As the model to inspire  his mission he has chosen Blessed Charles de Foucauld and obviously Don Bosco. He hopes that what Charles de Foucauld wanted for his Fraternity will apply to Kenitra: “That everyone everywhere will know that it is a house of God, where all the poor, all the sick, are always invited called, desired and welcomed with joy and gratitude by their brothers, who love them, take care of them and who see in their presence under the same roof a treasure: and they really are the treasure of treasures: Jesus Himself.”

From Don Bosco the missionary has learned how to express this love. “It is the loving kindness in the motto of the Congregation ‘Da mihi animas cetera tolle’ and in the words ‘It is enough that you are young for me to love you very much.’”

Published 27/10/2011