Italy - Listening to the voices of the missionaries: Sansão Manuel Sebastião Gonçalo, departing with 153rd Salesian Missionary Expedition

22 September 2022

(ANS - Castelnuovo Don Bosco) - Among the departing members of the 153rd Salesian Missionary Expedition, who next Sept. 25 will receive the Missionary Cross from the hands of the Rector Major, Fr. Ángel Fernández Artime, is also Sansão Manuel Sebastião Gonçalo, originally from Angola and now destined for the mission in Cape Verde. Today he offers his reflections and considerations to ANS readers.

What prompted you to apply for the missions?

In my vocational journey, I met several Salesians who awakened in me this desire for missionary life ad gentes. I think Fr. Marcello Civati deserves a special mention, the first Salesian I met. His apostolic zeal toward the poorest was an inspiration. Then there was Fr. Roberto Mussante, who was not only the priest who baptized me but also the one who accompanied me in the vocation group and finally invited me to become a Salesian. Finally, I must mention Salesian Coadjutor Brother Gaston Fontaine, who was my Spiritual Director and helped me discern my missionary vocation.

How did people close to you react to your missionary choice?

At first, they thought it was a joke or that I would change my mind anyway once I started this path. Then they understood that I was serious and from this moment on they gave me a lot of support. The family on my mother's side, in particular, has been very supportive. They belong to the United Methodist Church in São Paulo-Cuca, and together we have created a very nice ecumenical environment.

You are about to be sent to Cape Verde: are you happy with this destination?

I am very happy to be sent to Cape Verde. It seems to me that the Cape Verdean people are very rich in human and Christian values, and together with the values of my culture, imbued with a shared mission of "life and work" with the Salesian community, I am sure that I will grow in the "Sequela Christi" and in fidelity to the charismatic legacy of our Father, St. John Bosco.

Do you have any missionary role models you want to imitate?

I have in mind the Salesians who gave their lives for Angola, such as priests Domingo Nokonoko, Agostinho Nazareno Pascoalini, Dionísio Pacheco Aldea and Filiberto Rodrigues, and Br. Núncio Randisi. These Sons of Don Bosco gave themselves entirely to the poor youth of my beloved country.

What message do you want to send to young people about the missionary vocation?

Dear young people, if you hear Jesus' call to missionary life, follow the advice of His mother Mary because Jesus transforms our water of fear, insecurity and uncertainty into the wine of joy and peace for so many people. And St. John Bosco tells us, "Trust in Mary and you will see what miracles are."

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