Azerbaijan - The Salesians in Baku are preparing to welcome the Pope with joy
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30 September 2016

(ANS - Baku) - The Salesian community in Baku is ready to welcome Pope Francis on Sunday 2 October during his visit to Azerbaijan. In the capital of the country some have already arrived to welcome him: Fr Jozef Izold, Superior of the Salesian Province of Slovakia, on which the Azeri community depends; and the Provincial of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians from Slovakia, Sister Janka Kurkinova. The parish of Baku is full of joy during these final hours of preparation.

From our correspondent in Baku,

Fr Rastislav Hamracek

"We are full of joy for this visit. It is a small miracle, because we Catholics are very few and so the work of preparation for such a great visit is all up to us. But for this very reason it has generated greater unity among the parishioners," said the parish priest, Fr Vladimir Baxa.

"Our young people are very happy, because in Krakow during World Youth Day they saw the pope from afar, like a tiny white dot. Now they can welcome him in their own church. I am personally very grateful to be able to serve the Pope during lunch in the community, especially because it's my birthday" says Sister Slavka Butkova, FMA, who has been living in Baku for a year.

The Salesian community in Baku is composed of seven priests – five Slovaks and two Indians - and two Salesian Brothers, both Slovak. A year ago, two FMA sisters arrived from Slovakia, while the Missionaries of Charity, the Sisters of Mother Teresa of Calcutta, have been working in Baku for several years.

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ANS - “Agenzia iNfo Salesiana” is a on-line almost daily publication, the communication agency of the Salesian Congregation enrolled in the Press Register of the Tibunal of Rome as n 153/2007.

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