As I mentioned in my last post, I am currently in the middle of the application process for the Salesian Lay Missioners program. So far I have submitted an application, received letters of recommendation, and had a phone interview. I will participate in a discernment weekend at the end of May, and if all goes well, I will then attend 3 weeks of orientation starting at the end of July. Only after I have completed the orientation will I know for certain that I will be serving with the Salesians and where I will be going. If I discern with the Salesians, I would likely travel to my placement sometime in September.
Most likely you are wondering who the Salesians are at this point. (I didn't know anything about them until I started doing research.) The Salesian order is the group of religious that was started by St. John Bosco (also known as Don Bosco). St. John Bosco was well known for his love of youth, especially youth from the streets. In fact, he is now the patron saint of youth. John Bosco helped boys and young men (and later girls, too) by providing for four primary needs in a person's life: a home, an education, the faith, and recreation. The Salesians use these four components in their ministry to this day.
Because of the Salesian's founding principles, their mission work is centered around providing for the needs of youth in developing parts of the world. If I become a missionary for the Salesians, I will serve the youth in some capacity. Most likely I will be a caregiver at an orphanage or will teach English at a school due to my background in education. I will be placed wherever there is a need that it looks like my skills can fill.
At this time, I don't know where I will be placed (or even if I will be placed by the Salesians). Ultimately the choice is not up to me. However, I do know where they currently have placed missionaries, so I can take a guess. Possibilities include Bolivia, Sierra Leone, South Sudan, Cambodia, and Papua New Guinea. They have other sites as well, so maybe I will be surprised!
Last, I want to clarify that I am going to be a lay missioner. That means I am not going to be taking religious vows before going on mission. So even though I will likely eat with the Salesian sisters and will live with or near them, I am still "ordinary" me.
If you would like to learn more about the Salesian Lay Missioner program, you can take a look at their website. I hope I was able to answer some of your questions!
*Cover Photo Image by Province of Saint Joseph is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0
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