(ANS – Tokyo) – On Saturday 17 October, the vigil of World Mission Day at the Gymnasium of the Salesian Studentate in Tokyo Chofu, thdere was a special missionary celebration.

17 young volunteers from DBGV (Don Bosco Overseas Young Volunteer Group) who last August spent three weeks in Tetere, in the Solomon Islands, shared the results of their experience as volunteers with around a hundred people, amongst whom many members of the Salesian Family.

Led by Fr Muramatsu, provincial secretary, well-known throughout the region as `Mickey`, the young volunteers made use of films, Power Points, songs, costumes. They let people know what they had seen, done and especially what they had learned over the time. The volunteer experience had truly enriched them not just humanly and culturally, but also spiritually including for those amongst them who were not Christians.

The presentation by thre young people was followed by a celebration of the Word at which the provincial, Fr Aldo Cipriani, presided. This moment of prayer based on the World Mission Day was a chance to reflect on the fact that evangelisation is not just about bringing something, but also receiving something. It is like an exchange where the light of the Gospel and cultural values of a people entwine and mutually enrich each other for the advent and building of the kingdom.

Next year the DBVG will be 20 years old

Published 19/10/2009