Don Bosco's Missionary Vision: Sending the Best
Fr. Attard reminded the assembly of Don Bosco's unwavering commitment to the missions, even in the face of significant opposition. "Don Bosco always sent his best people to the missions," he emphasized, recalling how the founder resisted those who advocated for consolidation over growth. Trusting in Divine Providence, Don Bosco famously promised that for every missionary vocation, three more would arise—a promise that continues to bear fruit in the Salesian Family today.
This missionary spirit, Fr. Attard noted, was rooted not in human calculation but in faith and courage, qualities that remain essential for Salesians in the contemporary world.
The Lifelong Journey of Accompaniment
A central theme of Fr. Attard's address was the critical importance of accompanying missionaries throughout their entire journey. "We must accompany them before, during, and after their missionary experience," he insisted, stressing the need for both spiritual and human support for those who leave everything behind to serve.
He offered a sobering reminder: "If we do not fill our lives with the love of God, we will inevitably fill them with something—or someone—else." This call to interior fullness through relationship with God underscored the spiritual foundation necessary for authentic missionary witness.
Living the Missionary Charism Today
"The Salesian charism is missionary," Fr. Attard declared. "We must know Don Bosco more deeply." He spoke of the "grace of unity," explaining that to live like Don Bosco requires first being one with him—understanding his heart, his spirituality, and his passion for young people.
Drawing on the guidance of the Rector Major, Fr. Attard outlined three essential dimensions for living the Salesian mission in today's world: faith, charism, and ministry.
Faith forms the foundation of Salesian identity. Fr. Attard challenged the Congregation to take seriously the question of who they are, rooted in faith in Jesus Christ. He encouraged participants to engage with the final document of the 29th General Chapter and to rekindle the centrality of prayer and the Eucharist in their lives. His warning was stark: "Meditation is the first victim" when pastoral activity takes precedence over spiritual life. "We often have time to do things for God but not to be with God," he observed, calling for a rebalancing of action and contemplation.
Charism requires authentic knowledge of Don Bosco. In a globalized world where young people face universal questions and challenges, Salesians cannot hope to incarnate Don Bosco's spirit without truly knowing him. Fr. Attard urged a return to the sources of the charism, emphasizing that credible witness demands authentic embodiment of Salesian spirituality.
Ministry must be collaborative and synodal. Fr. Attard stressed the indispensability of working together across all pastoral fields—youth ministry, communication, and formation. "We are called to walk together in faith," he reminded the delegates, invoking the spirit of synodality that characterizes the Church's contemporary mission.
A Challenge and an Encouragement
Fr. Attard's message served as both challenge and encouragement to the missionaries and delegates. His call to renew missionary zeal, deepen relationship with Don Bosco, and live faith with integrity resonated throughout the historic surroundings of Valdocco, where the Salesian adventure first began.
It was a powerful invitation to the missionaries to rekindle the fire of the Salesian spirit, always centered on the salvation of their own souls and those of the young people they are called to serve. It was also a reminder that the missionary heart of Don Bosco continues to beat strongly in the Salesian Family, calling each generation to embrace anew the adventure of bringing Christ's love to the young, especially the poorest and most abandoned.
