Hi, Nelson! Could you please introduce yourself…
My name is Nelson Alves Cabral, I am 26 years old and I am the third son of nine brothers. I have been a Salesian cleric with temporary vows for four years. I made my vows as a Salesian religious on 8 December 2020, in Fatumaca.
What inspired you to choose to become a missionary?
I wanted to be a missionary when I began my formation as Salesian aspirant. At that time we had a missionary, Fr Manuel Faile, SDB, who told us about the life and mission of the venerable Fr Vicenzo Cimatti in Japan. His life, his mission and his virtues drew my attention. One of his virtues that I liked the most was "charity", which was the foundation of his mission as a priest and missionary, especially during the period he spent in Japan, where he dedicated his life to serving others. So I began to think that one day I would want to be a missionary.
Are you happy with where you are going? Do you have any fears or concerns about the new place, culture and people?
When I wrote my letter for the missions, I declared that I would go wherever the Rector Major and his councillors sent me. This means that I would be ready to face all the challenges I would encounter in my life on the mission field. I believe that it is not easy to be a missionary and carry out God's mission in a new place, in a new culture and meet new people; but I also believe that God will not abandon me; on the contrary, I am sure that God will always be with me. Through the experiences of the Salesian missionaries I heard and saw, for example, Fr Vicenzo Cimatti and the priests or brothers in Timor-Leste, I discovered that God has always been with them.
How did your family members, friends and confreres react when you told them about your missionary vocation?
I communicated my missionary vocation to my mother, brothers and sisters when I was in postnovitiate formation, during the holidays. They were very surprised, especially my mother. She didn't support me and he didn't accept me becoming a missionary. For two years, when I was on vacation at home, I kept saying it, but she didn't want to know. She said: "Being a missionary is not nice", and she wanted me to be a priest in Timor, not a missionary.
Although my mother did not me want to, I kept this desire in my heart. During the Christmas holidays of 2023, I tried to talk to her again, I explained the missionary vocation to her better and at the end she said: "All right... This is your choice, as a mother I always pray for your vocation."
What are your plans and dreams for your missionary life?
As for my project, I am not sure, because I have not yet arrived in the mission field. However, what I think and what my Spiritual Director told me is that to adapt quickly to a new environment, you must always be “open”. Another plan I have now is that, once I arrive in my mission land, I will be able to create good relationships with Salesian confreres and young people. This is the most important thing. Because it is also a way to adapt quickly to a new environment.
Do you have some great missionary role models in mind whose lifestyle you want to follow?
Yes, Fr Vincenzo Cimatti is the most important model of my life. His life, his mission and his virtues attracted me and made me want to be a missionary. In addition, the missionaries in Timor-Leste, their life and mission experience have also helped me a lot, teaching me, in particular, how to be continuously faithful to the Salesian vocation.
What is your message to young people about missionary choice and vocation?
There are four things I would like to say to them:
– Listen to your heart: because your heart can give the answer that makes you feel good in your vocation.
– Seek guidance: Talk to your spiritual director and others who can help you discern your missionary vocation.
– Be open: welcome new experiences and opportunities that come your way.
– Trust in the journey: believe in the fact that God has a plan for you and enjoy the journey.
