By Sr. Teresa Joseph, FMA –
Pope Francis with his prophetic words: “The missionary mandate touches us personally: I am a Mission, always; you are a mission; always; every baptized man and woman is a mission” invites us — the entire Church to dance into the Extraordinary Missionary Month October 2019 with renewed passion and commitment.
Prompted by our Father and Founder St. John Bosco’s powerful teaching: “We must love the Popes, regardless of when or where they are. Their counsels and even their wishes must be a command for us.”
Fr. George Menamparampil, Mission Sector, Generalate of the Salesians of Don Bosco – Rome, hearkened to the invitation of Pope Francis for celebration of an Extraordinary Missionary Month in October 2019 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the apostolic letter of His Holiness Pope Benedict XV in 1919. He has come up with animation material to facilitate study, reflection, prayer and action on the key elements in Maximum Illud.
Fr. George was gracious to share the fruit of his work with many of us. As I received it, my eyes fell on: “You are welcome even to share with other congregations, dioceses, publications houses. They could change or leave out the part “Salesian Thought” and adapt the “something to think about …” and then print it out. Salesians are not really interested in any “copyright” or “royalties” …… They would like good animation. Of course, an acknowledgement that the adaptation is from the booklet prepared by the Missions Sector at the Generalate of the Salesians of Don Bosco would be appreciated, though not compulsory!”
Swiftly, I clicked the mouse and forwarded the animation material to [email protected] and editor of indiancatholicmatters.org. With the missionary ardour that is second nature to many of us, they in haste went to the heart of the matter: Fr. Joby and his team brought out the book: Baptized and sent The Church of Christ on the Mission in the World and Mr. Verghese Joseph the editor of Indian Catholic Matters has made the material available at: SDB Mission Sector Booklet for October Month Launched
The Table of Contents of this cherished book – Baptized and Sent – opens with a presentation by Fr. George Menamparampil, Mission Sector, Generalate of the Salesians of Don Bosco Rome, continues with the Letter of His Holiness Pope Francis for the centenary of the promulgation of the apostolic Letter “Maximum Illud” on the activity of missionaries in the world, Message of His Holiness Pope Francis for World Mission Day 2019, Apostolic Letter Maximum Illud of the Supreme Pontiff Benedict XV and concludes with Animation material for each day of October 2019 originally prepared by Fr. George Menamparampil and adapted for India by Ms Adele Pereira, a lay missionary, Mumbai.
The book is indeed a welcome treasure to live fruitfully the Extraordinary Missionary Month October 2019 as persons, as families and as communities.
The powerful words of Pope Francis is creating positive vibes across the world: “As a Salesian Family, you are called to let the creativity typical of your charism flourish once more in and beyond your educational institutions, as you take your place with apostolic dedication among young people, especially those on the peripheries” – From the Vatican, June 24, 2015 to the solemnity of the birth of St. John the Baptist; Letter from Pope Francis to The Salesians in celebration of the Bicentennial of Don Bosco’s Birth. The Animation material planned by Fr. George is now making its journey through the world.
The book was officially launched by the Rector Major of the Salesiansm, Fr. Ángel Fernández Artime on Pentecost Sunday, 9 June 2019 at the Generalate of the SDB with a foreword by Fr. Guillermo Basañes, General Councillor for the Missions. In the Philippines, a group of youngsters have completed the presentation of each day’s theme through animation.
In India, the St. Paul’s through Better Yourself Books and Media Pvt.Ltd has surprised us with a full volume with necessary Papal documents and adding an Indian touch to the animation material. If you prefer to have access to this little treasure at the click of a mouse, then click SDB Mission Sector Booklet for October Month Launched
May Jesus the Missionary of the Father accompany us on our mission.