The General Councilor also insisted on the correct understanding of the "missionary spirit," which is an essential element of Don Bosco's charism, for which all Salesians are called to live. "The Salesian missionary vocation," however, he underscored, "is God's call to some Salesians, which must be invoked in prayer and verified in careful accompaniment and sincere discernment."
He concluded the fraternal evening by thanking the Superior and the Salesians of the Vice-Province for supporting the work for the refugees in Palabek camp. He recalled that during their long car ride, Superior told him that Palabek is the Vice-Province's "missionary territory." "The work being done for refugees in Palabek is a concrete expression of the option for the poorest of the Vice-Province," he said. "It is an onerous commitment, but one that is very close to the heart of our beloved founder."
Over the next two days, he visited the formation communities and neighboring communities, accompanied by Vicar Fr. Raymond Bavumiragiye.
Fr. Maravilla had lively and interesting dialogues with the novices and postnovices, accompanied by their formators, on "missionary spirit" and "missionary vocation," and explained the functioning of the Missions Sector. Then he answered questions raised by them and their formation teams. Finally, he asked everyone to be good missionaries for the greater glory of God and the salvation of the world, and also had the opportunity to greet the pre-novices.
From Rwanda, the General Councilor for Missions made a one-day stop in Nairobi, Kenya, to be updated by the Provincial and Delegate on the situation of Salesians in Sudan. During his good night, he updated the brethren of the Provincial House on the missionary challenges of the Congregation, particularly the "Europe Project."
From Nairobi, Fr. Maravilla traveled to Rome and then to Turin to participate in the Team Visit to the Central and Northern Europe Region.
