The seed planted in the midst of so many difficulties, in the midst of isolation and misery, the Lord Jesus makes it grow and become a leafy tree, a reality that gratifies the eyes and the heart, for the progress made, for the broadening of the cultural and spiritual horizon of the Angolan people where the presence of Don Bosco is anchored.

I thank Our Lord Jesus Christ for his commandment "go therefore and make disciples of all nations" (Mt 28:19). The first fervent communities were located in North Africa. Today, this continent is one of the most committed to the evangelization of its peoples. And among these peoples is Angola.

The "Africa Project" of the Salesian Congregation, and of the Atlantic Zone (Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay) began around 1981 in Dondo and Lwena and then extended to Luanda, Calulo, Ndalatando, Benguela, Cabinda and lately to Huambo: it has had a beautiful process of growth, development of works, enculturation in evangelization and pastoral care.

I have been able to visit all these communities since my arrival at the end of December 2002 with Mr. and Mrs. Aldo Fanego and Carmen Benítez (who came to animate the missionary family ministry in accordance with the provisions of the Bishops of the dioceses visited), and thanks to the kindness and accompaniment of Fr. Martín Lasarte, Superior of the Salesian Vice-Province "Mamá Muxima" of Angola (ANG), who dedicated his time and Salesian missionary passion to it.

What impact did this visit have on me? What remained in my heart? At the time I was serving, from 1992 to 2006, in the then "Salesian Delegation" of Angola. Especially in Lwena, where I lived for 9 years, those were difficult times for the implantation of the charism and the evangelization of the people because of the war. So, the missionaries preferred to stay in Angola at the invitation of the major superiors in Rome, to go to other African countries with better possibilities of life and work.

From these moments emerged the enormous affection the Salesian missionaries showed in their pastoral and evangelizing task. This historical legacy flourishes today with surprising and abundant vocations of consecrated Salesians. The number of its members is incredible: 155 Salesians, of whom only about 25 are foreigners, the rest all Angolans. Aspirants, pre-novices, post-novices, theology students, young priests. Many of them are already in management positions and with great responsibilities. Is this not already a wonder of God's grace and the visible fruit of those seeds planted in the early years and years of war?

Salesian communities, like those of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians (they too have had the same process and are growing in consecrated vocations in the Institute), I see them well organized for the life of prayer, in the evangelizing educational ministry with much creativity and strength, assisted by catechists, animators, teachers, adolescents and youth of the Salesian Youth Movement (Friends of Dominic Savio, Youth of Don Bosco, Laura Vicuña groups, sports groups, missionary and missionary volunteer groups...). Bravo to the Directors who encourage the brethren, especially in pastoral charity. I saw punctuality in morning and evening prayer. I noticed the piety in the Eucharistic celebrations and the cordial esteem among the confreres, the appreciation towards the Directors and the Superior, Father Lasarte, the recognition of his animation, his testimony, his joy and his continuous visits to the communities.

I was impressed by the educational work, the evening literacy schools for adults and those for children and adolescents during the mornings and afternoons, benefiting the younger generations, offering them a project of happiness and a certain future, well visualized through the family environment, joy, study and initiation into the Christian life. The many school teachers are being trained in Salesian pedagogy and spirituality and are the primary contributors to this educational project that integrates human and Christian values. It is clear that there is still much work to be done as many children, adolescents and young people are slowly opening up to Christian life. But I have seen the model of a Catholic Salesian school everywhere, in Lwena, in Sambizanga in Luanda, in Viana, in Dondo, in Benguela, in Cabinda, in Huambo, with perhaps sometimes excessive numbers, but always with everyone enriched by the education they have received and by the presence of Jesus Christ, Mary Help of Christians and Don Bosco in their lives.

I am amazed at what has been done in Vocational Training for thousands of young people at a time when they were being helped by government or international projects. Because of the economic situation, they need a new definition that, with God's help and new collaborators, can continue to offer vocational service.

The festive oratory, the attention to street children (with its three phases: in Mota and Mabubas, in the various places in Luanda, and in Catete) deserve praise for being the most difficult pastoral work, on behalf of the most abandoned, street and destitute children. To them, with much affection and pastoral professionalism, the hope of a dignified life, of a promising future through education, is opened.

I remember the words of then Fr. Jose Imbamba, now Archbishop of Saurimo, who, during difficult times in Lwena, said to me, "What would Lwena be without the Salesians?" During the meeting we had in Luanda on Christmas Day in the parish of São Joaquim, Fr. Raimundo, Head of Family Pastoral Care, commented almost in the same words, "What would the Church in Angola be without the presence of Don Bosco, the Salesians and the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians?"

All this is to give thanks to God, because, thanks to "useless servants," the work of evangelization, formation of people, and enculturated pastoral care has been carried out, always under the protection of Mary Help of Christians and with the love of Don Bosco, as the first imitator of the "Good Shepherd," Our Lord Jesus Christ.

I conclude by expressing my gratitude for the opportunity to enjoy the work of God and Don Bosco in this blessed land of Angola. The past flourishes in new life, democracy, the challenge of evangelization, Christian and quality education. Its population is growing; it is said to reach 40 million. In the midst of all this, Salesian work is a grain of sand, but a golden one, along with the presence of other religious communities and diocesan clergy from the many Angolan dioceses of the Catholic Church.

Msgr. Edmundo Valenzuela, SDB

Archbishop Emeritus of Asunción, Paraguay

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