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 reflect on Fr Luis Bolla and his life with the Achuar people of Ecuador.

There are many ways to approach people from cultures different than one's own culture. The tourist who wants to see something different and take pictures with 'exotic' characters; the scholar who seeks to understand some seemingly odd behaviour, who looks at and analyses the people with interest.

Fr Luis Bolla was surely not the tourist, nor the simple researcher. The Achuar people know him as Yankuam, which means bright star of sunset, and many of his Salesian confreres also refer to hom by this name. Within the limits of his identity as a priest and religious, he lived the Achuar culture.

In his memoir, Yankuam describes what he experienced after obtaining perrmission to go to the Achuar in 1971: "I felt like leaping, falling into an ocean without the clarity of how to act." But one thing was very clear to him from the start: "I had to die to much of what was mine, without losing my identity - and place myself at their service in every possible way, living at the same level, not believing myself superior to them but equal" (Memorias, 25).

All he asked was to be accepted as a guest, but to do so within this culture meant taking on the way of life of the people. The Achuar require the guest to work and adapt his life to their rhythm. The guest must knock down and load logs, clear roads, prepare for planting orchards. Their day begins at three or four in the morning - and gather around the hearth to drink the wayús (a kind of tea) and vomit it and so clean their stomach.

During those long early morning sessions, they would retell their myths and speak of their wars. Yankuam was grateful to be allowed to be present, to better know the details of the culture, to refine his skill in the language and take advantage of some breaks to proclaim the Word of God. Gradually, he realised that the proclamation was percolating, and had begun to sow doubts in their quest to avenge deaths.

It took a lot to make the people understand why he had asked to live among them. The few contacts they'd had with white people had made them suspicious, certain the intention of any outsider must be to exploit them for some hidden motive.

But his patience and humility convinced them. They came to see that he was there solely because he loved them and wanted to make them understand that God loved them even more than him and wanted them to stop killing among themselves and live in peace. "They finally understood that I came to stay" (Memorias, 334).

Adapted from an article by Fr Juan Bottasso SDB

Fr Luis began his evangelisation in 1971. He died in 2012, but the mission of the Salesians continues to grow and strengthen.

In December 2016, the first Achuar Salesian youth meeting was held in Ecuador, among the Wichimi communities. There were 35 young people from 7 indigenous communities taking part in this historic meeting.

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