The missionaries arrived from India, Congo, Cambodia, Argentina, Syria, the United Kingdom, Italy, Spain, the Philippines and Brazil. Some were part of the 150th Salesian Missionary Expedition and thus received the Missionary Cross on September 29 last, in the Basilica of Mary Help of Christians. In one way or another, these months of reflection and deepening served to keep alive the words of Pope Francis: "We are missionaries of an outgoing Church ... In fact we are mission, as the Church is mission."
The three-month formation course held at the Salesian Pontifical University (UPS) in Rome began with the study of the sources of the Salesian charism at Valdocco and Mornese.
It was not just an experience of deepening missionary, theological, pastoral and ecclesial themes, but "an experience of profound spirituality with the Spiritual Exercises in the Fraternal Domus of Sacrofano that spontaneously invited us to prayer and depth," declared Sister Liliane Kaputo, FMA, who attended the course.
During the various weeks, the participants had the opportunity to go as pilgrims to Rome and to some important places where great spiritual figures were born and lived, such as Assisi (St Frances), Siena (St Caterina) and Subiaco (St Benedict). "The pilgrimage not only motivated us, but also invited us to enter into communion with these great saints of the Church. Visiting the Catacombs of San Callisto, walking in the footsteps of St. Paul and visiting the excavations of the Tomb of St. Peter in the Vatican have allowed us to enter into harmony with a Church of martyrs, a minority Church, an outgoing Church," continues the religious.
The course participants were also close to Pope Francis in a Wednesday hearing. "We could feel him so closely, feel ourselves in deep communion with him and feel obliged, solicited and even sent forth as missionaries."
All the participants confirm that it was a moment of spiritual richness and missionary renewal, thanks to over 200 hours of formation, with the participation of experts from various important topics for missionary commitment.
"There are still many challenges, but we are sure that after this time of formation, reflection and prayer, we will be able to leave with more enthusiasm and trust in God. All of us are mission," concludes Sister Kaputo.
