When my missionary application was accepted my initial joy quickly turned to dis-belief when I realised that I was assigned to Papua New Guinea! “Could I survive in such a tough place?” My fear and anxieties soon became a firm resolve to learn well the language and culture of ‘my people’! Together with 4 other Salesians we started a new presence in the capital. Don Bosco was practically unknown yet in the country. Pioneering was tough. We had to improvise everything. But those years were full of initiatives, enthusiasm and joy. After my ordination I was sent back to this work. This time we worked to form our local lay collaborators. I also started the first group of Salesian Cooperators and the ADMA. I could literally see before my eyes the Salesian charism taking root.
Then, one day, the Provincial informed me that the Bishops’ Conference was asking me to be the Director of the national Liturgical-Catechetical Institute. I initially refused this totally new field for me. I was not sure I wanted to walk past horizons that I know! Yet, again, I was restless. I felt a stirring deep within to go beyond the fears which were closing me in! Looking back, I realised that accompanying the work of evange-lization of the 23 dioceses widened my ecclesial and missionary horizons!
Later, while I was working on my thesis in Rome, out of the blue, I received a call from the Councilor for the Mis-sions asking me to be part of the Missions Sector at the Generalate. This time I was deeply troubled. But I also realized that the Lord was inviting me to get out of the fortress of my mind, and learn again to trust in Him and set out once more. I accepted only after an agonizing discernment. Now I am grateful for the worldwide perspec-tive I have of the Congregation, after meeting missionaries in 5 continents and often in difficult situations.
I have already started preparing to conclude my service in the Missions Sector. Then one morning the Rector Ma-jor called me to his office and asked me to be the Superior of the new Vice Province of Papua New Guinea-Solomon Islands. While he was explaining to me his choice, my mind was clouded with questions and doubts. But I also felt an inner voice whispering to me, to dare and set out one more time!
Hence, to me being a missionary is living in a permanent state of restlessness, always ready to dare the improbable so that we may learn to trust the Lord, who invites us to constantly set our hearts upon the deep!
