For our Lenten reflections this year, in partnership with our Mission Office, we have taken the theme for Salesian Mission Day 2017. We will be returning to the roots of the Salesian missionary vocation by learning more about our missionary presence with the indigenous peoples of America. This week, we look at the Salesians and the Mixe people of Mexico.

Tlahuitoltepec was the first parish entrusted to the SDBs on October 24, 1962, thus they initiated the missionary expeditions to Oaxaca, joined in 1964 by the FMAs. With Father Braulio Sanchez Fuentes as leader, a period of evangelising presence began, characterized by a closeness and kindness. Their ancestors passed on to the soul of the Mixe many values and a pride in never having been conquered; the presence of the devotion to Mary Help of Christians would win the native soul; flourishing in music as a language of veneration of the Mother of God.

Along with the parishes, to enhance the Christian life of communities, six years after the arrival of the Salesian missionaries, the first boarding school was created for the Mixe area, with the vision of training the future laity as true builders of their communities. The seed of the Gospel in education has borne much fruit, because from this centre many public servants have come; men and women of good will. This school brought together SDBs and FMAs for the service of children and their families. And in 1990 the centre for the area Chinanteca was established. Currently they are served by two other elementary schools.

The desire and conviction of the formation of laity for evangelisation and human promotion, has accompanied the four pastoral plans of these 50 years since its canonical erection as Prelature. Its three Salesian Bishops: Bishop Braulio Sanchez, Luis Felipe Gallardo and currently Hector Guerrero, created and supported training centres and programs to provide good leaders (assistants, catechists and parents) for the communities.

On February 4, 2009, the Apostolic Nuncio presided over the blessing of the first phase of the San Juan Bosco Diocesan Minor Seminary (indigenous seminary) in order to foster the inculturation of the Gospel: to date the clergy of the Prelature has already reached 16 priests and 44 seminarians.

Countless volunteers, men and women, have enriched and have been enriched in this evangelising service.

In 2013 Mateo Morales, the first indigenous priest of the prelature went to the Father's House, and in 2014 followed by Concepción Perez Georgina (Conchita) lay missionary: models of apostolic dedication, seed of new forces.

The missionary heart of Don Bosco bequeathed to his spiritual family this conviction of all the baptised, so the Prelature has been enriched and blessed by a large number of ad gentes missionaries coming from Italy, Spain, Costa Rica. At the same time this local Church is maturing to become also missionary.

From an article by Fr. Miguel Ángel Lezama, SDB

When Pope Francis went to Mexico in February 2016, he visited Chiapas, a state with a large number of indigenous groups, including the Mixe. During the liturgy, young Mixes formed a large music band which provided the music. Monsignor Héctor Guerrero Córdova, SDB, Bishop of Mixe Prelature, said, "It was a great experience for the young people to listen to the words of the Pope and see him in person.”

Download the booklet produced by the Salesian Missionary Sector for the 2017 theme.

Prayer for Salesian Missions Day 2017

Father Creator, we praise you,
For the seeds of sanctity and beauty,
sown among the American peoples.
Grant us to contemplate, appreciate and defend
your wisdom in the indigenous cultures.
Help us to proclaim with the light of the Spirit
the unfathomable riches of your Son, Jesus Christ
that transfigures and fully fills every culture.
Lord Jesus, we praise and thank you
because you have made each one of us,
really sharing our lives,
loving us until the end,
so that we may have Life in all its fullness.
Help us to welcome and give life
on behalf of all our brothers and sisters.
Send us your sanctifying Spirit,
raise up in this continent missionaries,
witnesses of your love and of your resurrection,
proclaimers of your fraternity and truth,
prophets of your justice and unity.
Lord, you who are One in diversity
with the Father and the Holy Spirit,
help our peoples to live
with respect for diversity,
united in the same charity.
Amen