Introduce yourself?

I am Br. Kerwin P. Valeroso, SDB a Salesian Brother. I am from the beautiful archipelago of the Philippines which is composed of a group of over 7,100 islands,

in South East Asia between the West Philippine Sea and the Pacific Ocean. I am from the Salesian Province of Philippines North (FIN) which is composed of 182 confreres who are assigned to 25 Salesian communities, 44 of whom are students from other Salesian provinces. I will be going to the new Circumpscription of North Africa (CNA).

What inspired you to make this choice to become a missionary?

When I was walking down the hallowed corridor of Don Bosco Makati, I could not but notice the columns where there are the photos of the first three missionary expeditions are hung. I was simply amazed seeing those Salesians who were sent to the mission land and mission territories.  Thinking about the places where they reached, the works they built, the hearts they have touched, and the souls they have saved, I felt that this was my vocation. Missionaries are like the lifeblood of our congregation and it they who brough Don Bosco to our land, and it is they who keep our charism alive and vibrant. God invites me today to give back to the congregation and to the missions as one of the missionaries for this 154th missionary expedition.

Are you happy about the new place where you are going? Have you any fears and inhibitions of the place, culture and place?

To say that I am not afraid or do not feel any anxiety would be a lie, and I believe that it is just natural to feel a little bit of fear, anxiety, doubt, and inhibition when you are going to a place without any prior knowledge or experience of the language, culture, or people. To this place where I will be assigned, I only have one simple prayer in my heart, “Lord you know what is best for me, and you send where you want, to whatever situation it be, because you know me and my capacities”.

How did your family members, friends and confreres react when you told them about your missionary vocation.

More than the surprised reaction from my family and confreres, what I felt most was their support, prayers, and well wishes. This decision of ‘Yes’ was not mine alone. This ‘Yes’ is inspired by our mother Mary, and this ‘yes’ is not only my own it is likewise a generous yes from my mother and from my family. This yes is likewise a yes of the province that despite the multitude of work in the apostolate is generous to the missions works of our congregation. This ‘yes’ is not only centered on me but also a yes from my formators, mentors, and friends who co-journeyed with me to purify and strengthen this missionary calling.

What are your plans and dreams about your missionary life?

My clear plan and dream about my missionary journey is to go and understand God’s plan and share his love and mercy to the people that I will be sent to. After all the core of being a missionary is a life of wholeness and holiness. To do wonderful things afterward is but only an effect of that personal relationship with God who is the source of missionary vocation, and who will make fruitful all our efforts.

Have you in mind some great model of missionaries whose style and life you want to follow?

Back in my years in the practical training stage in Don Bosco Mandaluyong when I first met Fr. John Andreu, SDB, a Spanish Salesian missionary priest in the Philippines. Out of curiosity I asked him if he could speak our language ‘Filipino’ and his whimsical response was: “Hindi pa pinapanganak ang mga magulang mo, nandito na ako” (Before your parents were born, I was already here in your  country). His roots were very deep even if he was not a native of the place yet he dedicated his whole life to immerse himself in our context. Furthermore, besides the length of his stay what I admired most was his serenity; and his Salesian fidelity in his old age, as a happy and graceful Salesian. He impressed me most.

What is your message for young people about missionary choice and vocation?

I believe that the young generation today seeks meaningful and deep relations. They seek meaning in one’s existence, it is very much evident seeing the time they consume to make themselves present and felt in the online reality. I feel, to answer this longing for genuine relationships and meaning of one’s existence, it can be possibly be found in being a missionary by going out of one’s comfort zone. Even if it is not for ‘mission ad gentes’, they can be missionaries by going out of one’s comfort zone and reaching out to another young individual, especially those in need.

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