Can you introduce yourself?
I am Fr Jean Marie Karam, I am 63 years old, I have been a Salesian since 2013 and a priest since 2021. Currently my Province is East Africa, and I have been a missionary for two years in Sudan, although, due to the war, we have now left for South Sudan.
What prompted you to make this choice to become a missionary?
My choice to become a missionary is the result of a path of careful discernment, carried out in accompaniment and prayer. At the same time, I can say that the spark was lit by a woman's testimony, mother of a family, who introduced us to her missionary experience in Brazil when I was still in the novitiate. Her way of telling us what she had experienced touched my heart.
Are you happy with where you are going? Do you have any fears or concerns about the new place, culture and people?
Yes, I am happy. As I matured in my decisions and prayed for a missionary vocation, I felt happiness arise within me. Obviously, this did not prevent some doubts, but then when you arrive at your destination and take possession of your new land, at that moment you feel filled with God's grace and feel that you can overcome all difficulties.
How did family, friends, and confreres react when you told them about your missionary vocation?
I must say that everyone, family, friends and confreres supported and encouraged me in this choice.
What are your plans and dreams for your missionary life?
My dream is simply to bring and share the Gospel of the Lord with the Salesian style and charism, in order to save my soul together with all the people that the Lord will have me meet.
Do you have in mind some model of a great missionary whose style and life you want to follow?
I don't know if there is a model of a great missionary... Because every missionary has his own characteristics, but we all follow the path of the Good Shepherd, who is Christ.
What is your message to young people about missionary choice and vocation?
To all young people, religious and non-religious, who would like to have a missionary experience, I want to say do not hesitate, because this experience completely transforms you as a person, changing all the patterns in your mind and heart, and gives you the grace to name life’s values.
