His presence and his encouraging meetings have awakened the missionary spirit throughout the Salesian Family.
On 12 August, Fr Maravilla arrived at the Salesian mission of Gumbo, in Juba, where he was welcomed by the Delegate and members of the community, together with the young people. The next day he went to Don Bosco Maridi, where he visited the Salesian communities and met the Sisters of the Visitation of Don Bosco. He spent the day there, sharing the life of the mission with them.
On 15 August he travelled by plane to Don Bosco Wau. After visiting the parish, the vocational training centre, the primary school and the centre for the recovery of street children (the Children Care Centre - CCC), he reached Don Bosco Tonj by car. The next day, after visiting the schools, Radio Don Bosco and the communities of the Missionary Sisters of Mary Help of Christians and the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians, he left for Kuajok by car. On the 17th he presided at the Eucharist for the children at the CCC and interacted with the street children. On the evening of the same day he spent time at Don Bosco Gumbo, Juba, and concluded his brief visit.
During his Visit, he did not fail to share with the Salesians updates on the upcoming General Chapter 29 and to explore the theme of the celebration of the 150th anniversary of the first missionary expedition: "Recognise, rethink and relaunch".
Fr Maravilla stressed the importance of being bearers of hope and of always having passion and zeal, because it is this spirit that gives birth to the missionary vocation. Finally, he recalled that we are all called to be missionaries and that it is not the place where we are missionaries, but the heart.
