(ANS - Rome) – 11 November 1875 – 11 November 2013: for 138 years the Salesian Congregation has faithfully carried out its evangelizing mission of the behalf of the Church and in fidelity to the wishes of Don Bosco. There have been 144 Expeditions Missionaries, the last of them a month and a half ago from Turin. But the harvest is great and missionaries "ad gentes" are always needed. Here is the appeal to the provinces for the 145th Missionary Expedition:

"In 2008, the 26th General Chapter asked every province to promote the missionary spirit, to be generous in putting at the disposal of the Rector Major Salesian personnel for the mission ad gentes, and at the same time to foster missionary vocations among lay people and families. I thank the fifty-six provinces that have responded to this call of the General Chapter during these past six years," writes Fr Václav Klement, Councillor General for the Missions in his appeal to the Provincials.

With just a few months to go to the 27^th General Chapter, which calls on us to be authentic "Witnesses of Gospel radicalism" in everything, the missionary challenge is presented as a fundamental perspective to be considered. In this regard, Fr Klement cites a note from the diary of a great Salesian missionary, Father Louis Bolla: "When the ship was leaving the port of Genoa, I experienced one of the most beautiful moments of my life. It seemed to me that everything was dying - friends, homeland, the mountains I loved.  I think this is the feeling of all missionaries. I said to the Lord, 'I have lost everything. Now you alone are left, because in this new world I know nothing.'  And the Lord answered, 'I am all and I am just for you!' That was a moment of infinite joy."

Recalling the example of Don Bosco, who by the time of his death had sent 20 % of all his Salesians on the missions, Fr Klement challenged the Provincials to reach the same ambitious proportion: "This is truly “a charismatic percentage” that challenges us today - a fifth of all the Province for the missions!"

The letter continues with practical guidelines to help Salesians discerning their missionary vocation, and recalls the procedural steps to be taken in the Provinces for those who feel called to missionary service.

For those who respond positively, the date is fixed for the beginning of the Orientataion Course for the 145th Missionary Expeditionin Rome on 3 September 2014.

Published 11/11/2013