"A Church Going Forth"

Dear Confreres,

Happy Feast of St. Patrick, the great missionary!

At the Angelus on Sunday, January 30, Pope Francis greeted the Salesians. He said St. John Bosco “did not shut himself up in the sacristy; he did not close himself off in his own things. He went out into the streets to look for young people with the creativity that was his hallmark.” It was an honor for the spiritual sons and daughters of Don Bosco to be greeted by the Holy Father, who knows and loves our founder. Notice how, in these few words, he challenges us to "revive the gift we have received," to be zealous apostles to the young.

Two weeks ago in Salesian News, I commented on prayer, especially during Lent.  Last week, we had some news from Br. Robert Malusa, missionary in Zambia. This week, I would like to compliment those comments with some reflection on mission.

The theme for the last talk on the retreat with the Rector Major in February was "Raised up by the Spirit for the young, especially the poorest and most abandoned of them." Unfortunately, we ran out of time. The Rector Major couldn’t give the entire talk in the morning or respond to questions in the afternoon. However, we were given the written text. In line with the Pope’s challenge to "get out of the sacristy," Fr. Ángel says the priority of priorities for a province is to be converted in its choice for the poorest youth, the most vulnerable, those most in need of us, and the discarded. It’s good for us to hear these words again during Lent and as we prepare for the provincial chapter. At this time of year, plans are already being made for the next academic year. We can let our convictions and choices more clearly reflect the convictions and choices of Don Bosco. The Rector Major emphatically states that the economy does not define what mission we carry out, nor does the provincial treasurer.

The strong words of Fr. Ángel can be something of an examination of conscience for us, as individual SDBs, and as leaders in the mission with our colleagues. Where do we retreat in comfort zones rather than share the sometimes uncomfortable lives of the young? Do we share the pain and suffering of the young people that Divine Providence has entrusted to us? Are we motivated by love as was Don Bosco?

We find the theme of "a Church going forth," of Salesians getting out of their comfort zones to encounter the young, also in the 2022 Strenna, "Do all through love, nothing through constraint." Fr. Ángel presents the two giants of sanctity, St. Francis de Sales and St. John Bosco, as examples of pastoral zeal. He writes, "… it was always Francis de Sales' intention to reach out to everyone and proclaim the salvation and liberation that God’s love offers. This became a reality in the particular and amiable way he practiced pastoral zeal, going out to visit, meet, seek, and encourage people in various ways. The founding of the Order of the Visitation together with Jane de Chantal speaks to us, in the language of our time, of this 'Church going forth' proposed by Pope Francis, a Church which goes out to meet anyone who wants to hear the message of Jesus. The image of Don Bosco visiting the boys during the week in their places of work, the image of Francis de Sales visiting his parishioners and leaving a message of faith and love for God under the doors of their homes, and the inspiring image of the Virgin Mary visiting her relative, Elizabeth, should encourage and enthuse us and, likewise, be a challenge to us."

May we take advantage of this season of Lent to continue our personal and community conversion, being refashioned into the image of Christ the Good Shepherd who went out to seek the lost and those on the periphery.

A blessed Solemnity of St. Joseph, husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary, to you all.

Fr. Tim Zak