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 consider the Salesian presence in Latin America - past, present and future, see what life is like for the Chinanteco people of Mexico, and look at the evangelising role of Our Lady of Guadalupe.

What inflamed the missionary zeal of Don Bosco was the knowledge that many souls risked dying without baptism and be eternally lost. The purpose of the mission, according to theology then, was not to preach the Kingdom or implant the Church, but to go to save souls.

The stories of missionary adventures filled pages and pages of the Salesian Bulletin, causing readers to think that a large number of religious were dedicated to this task. But the reality was different: the Salesian work in Latin America was essentially urban. Even with large waves of migrants, in the late nineteenth century, the demographic situation of the continent was not substantially changed, the percentage of indigenous people was still very high, especially in the Andes, Central America and Mexico, but the Salesians did not work with them. The objects of their efforts were "primitive" groups, which were, statistically, a very low percentage in the world of indigenous Americans.

Why did not the Salesians address the broad masses of the indigenous people? The answer is complex.

Local churches were asking almost exclusively for the founding of schools, to address the advance of liberalism and to regain visibility in society. Many governments, even liberals, viewed with sympathy the ability of the Salesians to encourage technical education still absent in almost all countries.

The promotion of the indigenous people was not seen as a priority. They could suffer exploitation and poverty, they could be marginalised, but for the Church their salvation was not in danger, because they were baptised.

It was especially following the Second Vatican Council that the vision began to change, and also that of the Salesians. The "preferential option for the poor", on which the document of Medellin put the stress, opened their eyes to a reality that had been almost ignored.
Sociological studies revealed that the indigenous people turned out to be the poorest of the poor, because, besides suffering tremendous hardships, they were discriminated against and victims of widespread racism.

It was in the seventies in Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Guatemala, that the Salesian missionaries began to approach the indigenous problem, seen in its real dimension and within the overall context of society. The issue had obvious political implications and demanded a serious knowledge of anthropology, to meet the challenges of cultural change. It was also urgent to undertake a vigorous defence of the territory, at a time when all states were struggling to expand lands for agriculture and livestock at the expense of the areas occupied by the indigenous peoples.

Both social science and theology began to present a new vision of the indigenous peoples. On the one hand it stopped considering them as backward people, but as bearers of great values; and equally important the churches no longer limited their concern to the salvation of their souls, but rather also to the promotion of the people. And the person, one understands, can be fully understood only as a member of a group within a network of relationships.

Between the 1970s-1990s there were intense activities. Several groups were helped to organise politically, intercultural bilingual schools were promoted, collaboration with anthropologists, linguists and historians established research that led to publications which were appreciated throughout the continent. In Ecuador in just a few years, public opinion came to identify the Salesians as allies of indigenous people and specialists in the problems related to them.

Lately that fervour has lost momentum. The causes are multiple. The global scenario has changed, globalisation has put many projects in crisis, urbanisation is shifting large indigenous masses to the cities, where they are losing the concern to maintain their identity.

The Salesian personnel is declining, and young people are more oriented towards other types of emergencies, such as street children and youth at risk.

Will the Salesians be capable of rethinking, in line with new challenges, to remain faithful to their missionary vocation?

From an article by Fr Juan Bottasso SDB

Our Lady of Guadalupe and the evangelisation of the indigenous peoples of America

Just as the incarnation did not take place without Mary, evangelisation has not been nor will be without taking Mary into account. The process of evangelisation, of the inculturation of the Gospel in America has begun and continues with the maternal presence of Mary. With the missionaries, the Church believes that this process has been "a painful and prolonged birthing, comprised of the cross and the sword, where the maternal face of God has touched the heart of the entire people, born of the miscegenation of the cultures, of blood and the colours of complexion."

Our Lady is imprinted upon the cloth with a brown, calm and serene face. Since the conquest of the people has been through a deadly war; She is presented as a pregnant woman, that is, bringing life and the future: the Son of God. Moreover, by choosing as mediator a poor indigenous man, Juan Diego, she touches the heart of the people with tender and maternal language: "My little son, do not be afraid, I am the Mother of the true God who created everything, you are not an orphan nor are you abandoned". And so the people, not just the poor indigenous person, is in love with Mary and the fruit of her womb. Thus the Christian faith has had its initial proclamation in the person and message of Mary.

From an article by P Salvador Cleofas Murguia SDB

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