(ANS - Rome) - "For me, becoming a Salesian missionary is a desire that goes back to my childhood. I was born in a non-Christian family, but converted to Christianity. I grew up in the missionary parish of Nyakasanza of Ituri-Bunia, in the Northeast of my country, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and there I was baptized and confirmed in 2002. Since my novitiate, which began in 2017, I had expressed to my Novice Master my aspiration to be a missionary." This is how young Dieudonné Ramazani Lukundula, a Congolese Salesian, introduces himself to ANS readers. Last Sunday, November 21, he received the Missionary Cross of the 152nd Salesian Missionary Expedition from the Rector Major, Fr Ángel Fernández Artime.

(ANS - Rome) - Among the participants in the 152 Salesian Missionary Expedition is one of the oldest, with his 47 years; but the zeal that animates him is that of the youngest. We are talking about Fr Barnabé Gbodonoumèto Noudéviwa, originally from Benin, destined for Argentina. Speaking of how his missionary vocation was born, he says: "Our Congregation is missionary by charism and the first Salesians I knew were Spanish missionaries who bore witness to their love for God, Don Bosco and young people. Moreover, salesianly I grew up in the Vice Province of Francophone West Africa (AFO), which includes seven countries, so I have always been available to 'depart', to leave my country and my culture, to work in any country of the Vice Province."

(ANS - Rome) - "What prompted me to make the missionary choice is none other than love, the will to give myself to others and to serve Christ as a missionary ad gentes." Thus says, with the serene determination the young missionary Cito Christophe Kasavubu, a 27-year-old Congolese Salesian, who will receive the Missionary Crucifix in Turin next Sunday, 21 November, to then leave for his final destination. He is one of those who have made a long discernment before making a fundamental decision for their lives. He is assigned to the Salesian missions on the island of Cape Verde, belonging to the Province of Portugal (POR).