October 9, 1996-2026: 30 Years of ACSSA

October 9, 1996–2026: 30 Years of ACSSA

(ANS – Rome – October 8, 2026) – Friday, October 9, marked the 30th anniversary of the founding of the Association of Salesian History Scholars (ACSSA), established in 1996 by Fr. Juan Edmundo Vecchi, the rector major, to promote studies, professional development, and collaboration among its members on Salesian history and the Salesian Family, and to spread knowledge of the figure of Don Bosco and the congregations, associations, and groups that originated from him, in dialog with civil and ecclesiastical institutions.

An overview of the association

ACSSA is a cultural association bringing together history enthusiasts and scholars engaged in research in the Salesian field. Founded with around 20 members [including your humble blogger], ACSSA now has 243 members from across 6 continents: 91 Daughters of Mary Help of Christians, 114 Salesians of Don Bosco, 33 lay people, and 5 members of other groups within the Salesian Family. According to its Statute, the director of the Salesian Historical Institute (ISS) is a member of its executive committee, ensuring the implementation of ACSSA’s projects in close collaboration with the ISS.

The cultural significance of ACSSA and its development are evidenced by the fact that members in Poland, Spain, Italy, Brazil, Argentina, India, and Ecuador have felt the need to establish their own local (national) sections. It should be noted that this was a grassroots initiative, proposed by the members themselves.

Over the years, ACSSA has given a great boost to Salesian cultural life in many ways, by promoting and organizing:

–         29 Continental Seminars – from the series that began in 1999 to develop the methodology and themes for the 2000 World Congress, to the one marking the 150th anniversary of the Salesian missions in 2025;

–         7 World Congresses – from the first, in 1993, on the theme “Taking stock of the places and methods of developing Salesian historical knowledge,” to the one scheduled for next year in Brasilia, on the theme: “The Salesian Missions in the World.”

Furthermore, it has published 11 volumes in its “STUDI” series, a further 9 books in the “VARIA” series, and a single additional volume – published in various languages (Italian, French, Spanish, and English) – which have contributed in various ways and fields to disseminating research and studies on the figures and works of the Salesian Family thruout the world.

Messages from the Rector Major and the FMA Mother General

To mark this anniversary, the rector major of the Salesians, Fr. Fabio Attard, and the mother general of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians, Mother Chiara Cazzuola, sent letters of congratulations to the Association’s presidency.

In her message, Mother Chiara Cazzuola wrote:

“These 30 years of life, and of intense activity, have been shaped by the desire to discover and increasingly value the historical memory of our institutions, born from the heart of Don Bosco.

“I wish that all of you … continue this valuable research work, so that the history of the Salesian charism – lived out thruout the world by so many brothers and sisters who staked their lives on realizing Don Bosco’s dream – may never wither away, but may continue thru time and space in fidelity to an inspiration that remains fruitfully and wonderfully relevant today. True research, in which you play a leading role, is not merely an archive of data or a nostalgic exercise, but a mission of fidelity – and I would say of justice – driven by the shared awareness that we have received a heritage of values which must be understood, explored in depth, and passed on. It is a constant call to responsibility not only toward the past, but also toward the present and the future.

“We are the sons and daughters of a father who was the first to commit himself to leaving a record of his spiritual and apostolic experience, with a view to educating future generations and passing on to all the core values of a charism that unfolds thruout history and is guided by Providence.”

For his part, Fr. Attard emphasized the uniqueness of such an association within the global landscape of religious institutes and highlighted that the founding of ACSSA marked the beginning of “a new era” for the Salesian Historical Institute (ISS) itself. Furthermore, he emphasized the significance of equal representation, between the Salesians of Don Bosco and the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians, on the Association’s executive committee.

For this reason, the rector major stated:

“I wish to express my sincere gratitude and my deep appreciation to you, because, thru this work, you have become true animators of the Salesian Family in the field of historiography.”

And after recalling the development and the most significant stages in the history of ACSSA, the rector major concluded:

“ACSSA has carried out initiatives and produced works of considerable scientific and cultural value. These constitute a concrete testimony to the active presence of Jesus Christ in history which, as St. Paul VI affirmed, leaves clear traces in the journey of mankind. In our case, these traces help us to recognize the action of grace and Salesian charity alongside young people and in support of their integral growth.

“We Christians, in fact, are ‘children of memory’: a memory that does not confine us to the past, but generates life and opens us to the future, transcending the limits of earthly reality.”

Pope to Celebrate Mass with Don Bosco House Wine

Pope Leo to Celebrate Mass in Cordoba with Wine from Don Bosco House Winery

(ANS – Rodeo del Medio, Argentina – October 6, 2026) – The Don Bosco fortified wine, produced by the Don Bosco House Winery in Rodeo del Medio, in Argentina’s Mendoza province, will be used during the Eucharistic celebration presided over by Pope Leo XIV in Cordoba, when the Holy Father visits to Argentina from November 8 to 11.

The Salesian community will also present the Pontiff with a special commemorative edition produced to mark the 125th anniversary of the Salesian presence in Rodeo del Medio. The gesture is intended to introduce the Holy Father to a history that began in 1898, the year the Salesians arrived in the Argentine town. Over time, a significant educational and pastoral program has developed around the chapel and the school, supporting the growth of the local community and the formation of generations of young people.

In 1901, courses in viticulture and oenology were launched at the Don Bosco School and, in the same year, the first “Opera” Mass wine was produced by Fr. Pablo Robotti. Since then, viticulture has become a defining feature of the Salesian identity in Rodeo del Medio. Today, the “Opera” comprises a school, a vocational training center, a shrine, vineyards, and a winery, combining tradition, innovation, and a commitment to the education of young people.

Vietnam Province Opens Jubilee Year

Vietnam Province Opens Jubilee Year

75 Years of Salesian Presence (1952–2027)

(Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam – October 6, 2026) – On Saturday morning, October 3, the Salesian province of Vietnam solemnly celebrated the opening Mass of the Jubilee Year marking the 75th anniversary of the Salesian presence in the country. The Eucharist was presided over by the archbishop of Saigon, Joseph Nguyen Nang, with the joyful participation of numerous faithful.

From the early hours of the morning, the provincial house was filled with Salesians, young people, parents of the religious, other consecrated persons, and members of the Salesian Family. Among the guests of honor was also Bp. Peter Van De Nguyen, SDB, bishop emeritus of Thai Binh. Concelebrating also were Fr. Barnabas Lê An Phong, provincial, the members of the provincial council, and numerous priests.

Before Mass, the assembly looked back over the 75-year history of the province through a brief historical presentation. Subsequently, the provincial secretary read out the decree of the Holy See which officially inaugurated the Jubilee Year.

In his homily, Abp. Joseph recalled the spiritual legacy of St. John Bosco and the theme of the jubilee, “Gratitude and Hope.” He invited those present to thank God for the quiet service of the Salesians on behalf of thousands of poor and orphaned young people, emphasizing how the small seed sown by the Venerable Fr. Andrej Majcen had grown and borne abundant fruit.

At the end of the celebration, Fr. Barnabas expressed the gratitude of the entire province to God, to the pioneer missionaries, and to the Salesians who have shaped this history. Bp. Peter Nguyen then shared his testimony, inviting everyone to translate their faith into concrete acts of mercy toward the poorest, especially young people.

The celebration concluded with a hymn of thanksgiving and a fraternal lunch. During the gathering, the winners of the competition for the jubilee logo and hymn were presented with their prizes; furthermore, the parents of the Salesians were presented with a portrait of St. John Bosco as a token of gratitude.

Don Bosco Communications of Vietnam

Homily for Friday, Week 27 of Ordinary Time

Homily for Friday
Week 27 of Ordinary Time

Oct. 9, 2026
Luke 11: 15-26
Salesian HS, N.R.

Jesus casting the demons out of the Gerasene man
(Sebastian Bourdon)

Jesus’ enemies accuse him of being allied to the Devil.  They say that’s why he can drive demons out of possessed people.  He points out how absurd their accusation is.  Satan would only be weakening his own power if he attacked his friends.

Rather, when Jesus overcomes a demon, it’s evidence that God is more powerful.  Jesus’ entire life demonstrates God’s power, including the power to forgive our sins and save us from Satan’s grip.

When we commit ourselves to Jesus, we’re on the way toward eternal salvation.  But the Devil remains a threat.  He always wants to return and snare us.  Jesus warns about that:  A demon that’s been rejected “goes and brings back 7 other spirits more wicked than himself who move in and dwell” in the heart of a person who’s half-hearted about the Lord.  That’s the danger, that a good person may relapse into evil.

As followers of the Lord Jesus, we’re never done, no matter how old we are or how long we’ve been his disciple.  We have to renew our commitment to him every day so that we’ll be faithful to him and not turn back to the Devil—to lying, cheating, stealing, impurity, disrespect to parents, the abuse of other people, being lazy about our responsibilities.

So we need to pray every day, regularly read the Scriptures devoutly, especially the Gospels, and go to church on Sunday.  We want to belong to Jesus every day, and not give the Devil the least bit of ourselves.

Homily for Thursday, Week 27 of Ordinary Time

Homily for Thursday
Week 27 of Ordinary Time

Oct. 8, 2026
Gal 3: 1-5
Luke 11: 5-13
Collect
Christian Brothers, St. Joseph’s Residence, N.R.       

“Does the one who supplies the Spirit to you and works mighty deeds among you do so from works of the Law or from faith in what you heard?” (Gal 3: 5).

Paul is exasperated.  If his Galatian flock is reverting to the Law of Moses as their path to salvation, then they’re turning away from faith in what Christ does for us.  The Gospel is that the cross and resurrection and our faith in their power work the pardon of our sins and obtain eternal life for us.  Salvation itself is a mighty deed worked among us by the Spirit.  Paul undoubtedly refers also to mighty deeds like healings, tongues, exorcisms, and even curses (he does some of that in both Acts of the Apostles and his Corinthian letters).

Our good works don’t win grace for us.  The Holy Spirit and grace are God’s gift to us.

This week’s collect, addressed to God the Father as usual, reaffirms that:  “Your kindness surpasses the merits of those who entreat you.”  Your mercy pardons the guilt that disturbs our consciences.

The collect also implies that we don’t dare to ask for that pardon.  Jesus’ teaching on prayer today says otherwise:  “Ask, and you will receive” (Luke 11:9).  The Father wants to give us the Holy Spirit, the Spirit who in Jesus’ name forgives our sins.

In gratitude, we respond to the Father’s gift with our prayers of praise, especially the Eucharist, and with good works—works inspired by grace.

Homily for Tuesday, Week 27 of Ordinary Time

Homily for Tuesday
Week 27 of Ordinary Time

Oct. 6, 2026
Gal 1: 13-24
Christian Brothers, St. Joseph’s Residence, N.R.

Statue of St. Paul
(St. Paul Outside the Walls, Rome)

“He who from my mother’s womb has set me apart and called me thru his grace …” (Gal 1: 15).

In the opening verses of his letter to the Galatians (1:6-10), Paul conveys his distress that this community has listened to false preachers.  They’ve begun to think they must adopt the Law of Moses in order to accept the Jewish Messiah as their Savior.  He calls that a perversion of the Gospel.

Jesus cautions those who would be his disciples that those who put their hand to the plow, then look back, aren’t fit for the kingdom of God (Luke 9:62).  He was referring to basic discipleship.  But the saying also fits Paul’s context.  One who’s accepted the Gospel ought not to look back to Judaism for the path to salvation.  In our time, we’re challenged by various sects of wanna-be Catholics who want to remain in the pre-Vatican II Church, some even holding that the Papacy has been vacant since Pius XII (they’re called sede vacantists).  But there’s no other Church than the one Christ established, founded on the rock of Peter.

To emphasize his point about the Gospel, Paul summarizes his Jewish background and his conversion.  By his grace, Jesus called Paul directly and personally revealed to him the authentic Gospel, surpassing the Law that Paul had until then lived for.  What Paul then preached in Galatia is the real deal.

Paul deepened his conversion experience with 3 years in retreat in Arabia and Damascus (1:17).  We wish he’d told us more about that.  After confirming his understanding of the Gospel by conference with Peter and James (1:18-19), he was ready to set about “preaching the faith he once tried to destroy” (1:23) in Galatia and elsewhere—the Gospel of grace bestowed upon us by faith in Christ’s resurrection.

We have faith, brothers and sisters, that the Lord has likewise called us—has chosen us from our mothers’ wombs—to belong to him.  We deepen our faith by going into our own Arabia thru prayer and also by conferring with the Scriptures and the apostolic tradition—both secured and conveyed by the Church in union with Peter.  The tradition isn’t stagnant; it didn’t bind Jesus or the apostles inflexibly to Moses but enabled them to be like “the head of a household who brings from his storeroom both the new and the old” (Matt 13:52).  In the living Gospel of Jesus Christ, we, like Paul, glorify God (cf. Gal 1:24).

Homily for 27th Sunday of Ordinary Time

Homily for the
27th Sunday of Ordinary Time

Sept. 27, 2026
Matt 21: 33-43
St. Francis Xavier, Bronx
Our Lady of the Assumption, Bronx

https://mylifeguardwalksonwater.files.wordpress.com/2013/04/parable-of-the-vineyard-2.jpg

“The kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people that will produce its fruit” (Matt 21: 43).

Last Sunday’s gospel and today’s both come from Jesus’ last week.  He’s entered Jerusalem triumphantly—Palm Sunday—and has cleared the moneychangers and livestock merchants our of the Temple.  The chief priests and elders question his authority for such actions, plot against him, and try to trick him into saying something controversial that will either turn the people against him or cause the Roman authorities to act against him.

The opposition of these Jewish leaders is evident in the way Jesus presented a parable last Sunday, that of the 2 sons whose father tried to send them to work in his vineyard.  Today we have another vineyard parable.  As we heard in the 1st reading (Is 5:1-7) and the psalm response (based on Ps 80), the vineyard is Israel.

In this parable of the tenant farmers, Jesus predicts his own rejection by Israel’s leaders and his death:  “When the tenants saw the son, they said to one another, ‘This is the heir.  Come, let us kill him and acquire his inheritance’” (Matt 21:38).  The real inheritance isn’t Israel but the kingdom of God, which Jesus’ enemies think they can control.

But in their response to Jesus’ question at the end of the parable, they condemn themselves: the owner of the vineyard, they reply, will put those wicked tenants to death “and lease his vineyard to other tenants who will give him the produce at the proper times” (21:41).  The kingdom of God will be entrusted to the Gentiles, to all the nations of the world, not exclusively to Israel.  “The kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people that will produce its fruit.”

And so the Gospel was preached to and received by Greeks and Romans, then by every people in the Roman Empire, eventually everywhere on earth—even in the Bronx.

What is the fruit that God the Father expects us to produce?  He expects us to join his only Son, Jesus Christ, in worshiping him “in spirit and in truth,” as Jesus phrased it in his conversation with the Samaritan woman at Jacob’s well in ch. 4 of St. John’s Gospel (4:24).

The Holy Spirit draws us together for worship on Sunday.  The fruit we produce is active participation in the Mass:  paying attention, saying the responses out loud, joining the hymns, and receiving the Eucharist.  When we travel—on vacation or for work—we make an effort to find a church where we can attend Sunday Mass.

Our spiritual fruit goes forth from Mass in how we live.  St. Paul tells us in his letter to the Galatians that the fruits of the Spirit are “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control” (5:22-23).

The other part of our worship, and our fruitfulness, is truth.  That means more than not lying.  It means to honor truth in our attitudes, thinking, and behavior.  Perhaps Pope Leo shows us the most important way of living and worshiping in truth at this time with his emphasis on human dignity.  When he speaks and writes about modern technology, he insists that we control technology, not the other way around.  Technology—he refers to algorithms and AI, to markets and the purposes of tech—must serve and benefit people, not be a tool for manipulating us, much less destroying us, as some have begun to fear.

The dignity of the human person, of each one of us, requires that we respect the lives of the unborn, the elderly, and the sick, and not destroy them by abortion or assisted suicide.  Even convicted criminals, like Christa Pike in Tennessee, have a right to life if they’re not a threat to others.  Immigrants and refugees possess human dignity and must be treated with respect.  Ditto people of another ethnicity or race.  Ditto women on college campuses; no doubt you’ve been hearing about how a woman says she was treated at Cornell University recently.

Worship the Lord in spirit and truth.  Bear the fruit that the owner of the vineyard expects of us, and so we will inherit the kingdom of God.

Cause of Servant of God Andrew Majcen Advances

The Cause of the Servant of God Andrew Majcen Advances

(ANS – Vatican City – October 2, 2026) – On October 1, during the special meeting of theological consultors at the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, a favorable opinion was expressed regarding the heroic exercise of the virtues, the reputation for holiness, and the signs of the Servant of God Fr.. Andrew Majcen, SDB (1904–1999), a missionary in China and Vietnam.

The theological consultors were called upon to examine the Positio super virtutibus and to address the question regarding the heroic exercise of the Christian virtues practiced by the Servant of God, together with his reputation for holiness and the signs. The Positio super virtutibus, submitted on June 5, 2025, had Fr. Praskiewicz Szczepan, OCD, as rapporteur; Fr. Pierluigi Cameroni, SDB, as postulator; and Dr. Lodovica Maria Zanet as editor.

The favorable opinion of the theological consultors marks a significant stage in the progress of the cause. The Positio and the conclusions of the meeting will be submitted for examination by the cardinals and bishops who are members of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints.

Andrew Majcen was born in Maribor, Slovenia, on September 30, 1904. A Salesian priest, he devoted much of his life to the mission in Asia. Following his missionary experience in China, he arrived in Vietnam in 1952, where he carried out intensive work in evangelization, formation, and the support of the fledgling Salesian presence. In total, he spent 44 years in missionary service in China and Vietnam.

On his return to Slovenia in 1979, he continued his service for some 20 years as a missionary animator, spiritual director, and confessor, maintaining a close link with the missions and guiding numerous people on their spiritual journey. He died in Ljubljana on September 30, 1999, on the day of his 95th birthday.

An important testimony to his human, Salesian, priestly, and missionary journey is provided by his personal writings: over 6,000 handwritten pages of diaries, in which an inner life marked by the search for God’s will, fidelity to his Salesian and priestly vocation, and a profound missionary zeal emerges.

The favorable vote of the special meeting of theological consultors thus marks a new stage in the progress of the cause of the Servant of God Andrej Majcen, whose memory remains particularly vivid in Slovenia, China, and Vietnam – countries in which he carried out his long missionary service.

It is highly significant that this milestone was reached on October 1, the liturgical memorial of St. Therese of the Child Jesus. Fr. Andrej Majcen had a deep and constant spiritual bond with this young saint, regarding her as a true guide and “godmother” of his missionary vocation.

The “Little Way” of spiritual childhood was, in fact, the lens thru which he lived out the entire Salesian charism in the mission fields: “I owe everything to the grace of God and to the protection of Mary Help of Christians and Saint Therese, who taught me to make myself small among the little ones in order to win them over to Christ.”

Salesian Missions Funds New Hall for Zambian Preschool

Salesian Missions Funds a New Hall
for the Laura Vicuna Preschool

(ANS – Mansa, Zambia – September 29, 2026) – The Laura Vicuna Preschool, located in Mansa, Zambia, has a new school hall thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions of New Rochelle. The funding was used for the construction of a kitchen, dining room, sleeping room, and bathroom.

With construction nearly completed, the parents are happy that their children have better facilities at the school. As a result of the project, enrollment has increased. The projected number of boys has increased from 75 to 83 and the number of girls from 80 to 96.

In the region, many families rely on small subsistence farming for maize, cassava, groundnuts, and vegetables. Fishing and small-scale aquaculture are also important. Seasonal flooding can spoil crops and damage infrastructure, creating challenges for the local population.

There is high youth unemployment and limited vocational and technical training available. There are under-resourced schools, insufficient healthcare, and a lack of water and hygiene services. Salesian education helps youths start with a firm foundation for future learning.

Musumali Esaya, a local man who spoke on behalf of the parents, said he was happy for the new school hall for the children. He expressed gratitude to Salesian Missions for the project. Esaya noted: “Before the building, there was a concern about where the children would rest and be fed, and there was no area for play activities. With the new hall, the children have a better school environment in which to learn. We are all grateful for the support from the donors who made this possible.”

Salesians in Zambia provide a range of social development programs and education to aid youths who are poor and at risk so that they can have a healthy, productive life. Early education helps youngsters gain a foundation to allow them to advance later to skills training for employment. Basic needs are met along the way, ensuring that youths focus on their education.

Source: MissionNewswire

Homily for Thursday, Week 26 of Ordinary Time; St. Therese of Lisieux

Homily for Thursday
Week 26 of Ordinary Time
St. Therese of Lisieux

Oct. 1, 2026
Luke 10: 1-12
Christian Brothers, St. Joseph’s Residence, N.R.

Jesus sends out the 72 disciples (James Tissot)

“Jesus appointed 72 other disciples whom he sent ahead of him…” (Luke 10: 1).

Jesus first sent the 12 out as missionaries (ch. 9); now he dispatches 6 times as many from the larger circle of his disciples.  Their mission is to announce “the kingdom of God is at hand” (10:11); it’s coming in the person of Jesus, for the 72 are sent “to every town and place he intended to visit” (10:1).  Evidently that includes a lot of territory—36 places.

Assembled in the 2d Vatican Council, the Church emphasized her missionary nature and purpose.  The post-conciliar Popes have reaffirmed that.  All Jesus’ followers are missionary because they follow him and they want to—they must—announce his presence:  “the kingdom of God is at hand.”  They must prepare humanity for his coming.

He comes when his word is preached.  He comes in his sacraments.  He comes when his followers practice the works of mercy, as the 12 were explicitly commanded when Jesus sent them out:  “He gave the 12 power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases, and he sent them to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal the sick” (9:1-2).  He will come again with his angels on the Last Day to complete the redemption of his people.

St. Therese at the crucifix within the Carmel cloister

Little Therese in her cloister knew that.  If she couldn’t go to China, Vietnam, or Algeria as so many of her French contemporaries were doing, she could exercise the mission of prayer and of correspondence.  That she did, so fervently and so effectively that, as you know, Pius XI named her patroness of the missions.

It’s no coincidence that John Paul II canonized 120 Chinese martyrs on her feastday in 2000.  More than a dozen of them were French missionaries.

There was a time, brothers, when you were like the 72, on mission not in pairs but in apostolic communities, announcing the Lord Jesus who came among us as Savior 20 centuries ago and who will come again in his glory to share that glory with all of us.  Now you’re like little Therese, not quite cloistered but missioned to imitate her example by praying for your active brothers and all the members of the Edmund Rice Network, and your past pupils, their families, and the Brothers’ present pupils and families.  May peace rest upon your houses and the homes of all whose lives you touch (cf. 10:5-6).

Message of the Rector Major for October

THE MESSAGE OF THE RECTOR MAJOR

Fr. Fabio Attard, SDB

Do Not Be Afraid

A reflection on Matt 10:26-33

Christ the Consoler (Carl Bloch)

When Jesus invites his disciples “not to be afraid,” we must be careful not to reduce this invitation to a superficial slogan. It’s a call—a word spoken by a Master to those who’ve chosen to walk and be with him. For all their shortcomings, Jesus’ disciples are the ones who’ve already left everything to follow him. Jesus is speaking to people who are gradually discovering what friendship with him means, and that it’s worthwhile to take him seriously. It’s precisely within this friendship that the command not to be afraid carries its full weight.

I. “Do not be afraid” – not a choice, but a discovery

We’re tempted to read these words as a call for courage that we must summon from deep within ourselves, through willpower or positive thinking. That’s not the case.

Jesus’ invitation isn’t based on human calculations. It’s not empty optimism. The disciples, whom Jesus sends out like “sheep in the midst of wolves” (Matt 10:16), face real dangers and opposition. What, then, does “Do not be afraid” truly mean?

“Not being afraid” is possible only because “something” has happened to those who follow Jesus. A relationship has been formed. A friendship emerges—in the deepest sense of the word—one that’s taken root in the depths of the disciple’s heart. Friendship with Jesus is unlike any other friendship. In him and with him, we discover that we are known and therefore are supported. This relationship isn’t a sentimental metaphor. It’s the language of intimacy.

The absence of fear, then, is a discovery we slowly realize over time through the practice of remaining close to him: in prayer, in listening to his Word, in sacramental encounter, and in service to the poor and the young. We realize that, little by little, what began with effort develops into trust. What began as a discipline becomes love, and in that love, fear doesn’t vanish—it loses its grip. We’re no longer slaves but free persons because Jesus’ love has embraced us.

II. Following Jesus: a journey that enriches our humanity

Jesus is sending his disciples forth, yet he isn’t abandoning them. The entire movement of this passage is one of a mission taking place within the context of accompaniment. He tells them what they’ll have to face. He tells them who their Father is. He promises to give testimony on their behalf before the Father. In other words, he doesn’t give merely instructions; he gives himself.

This is the heart of the Christian life: not the observance of a code, but the journey of entrusting oneself to a Person. “Following Jesus” is a phrase so familiar that we risk stripping it of its extraordinary nature. “To follow” means to get moving, to leave behind the security of what once was, and to walk toward what’s being made new—never alone, but with him, in him, and through him.

The beauty of this journey is that it doesn’t diminish us; it doesn’t flatten the human person. On the contrary, it’s the path of becoming fully human. When we entrust ourselves to Jesus—when we dare to surrender to him—we’re like the child who abandons himself in his father’s arms. We find ourselves again. We discover a capacity for love, resilience, joy, and solidarity that we didn’t know we had.

This is what the journey of faith teaches us, slowly but surely: that we’re supported, that our humanity is precious in his eyes, that we’re worth more—infinitely more—than we sometimes dare to believe. And it’s from that certainty of being known and loved that we draw the strength to face the challenges of the mission—without fear.

III. Declaring oneself for Jesus: a mature personal identity

“The one who confesses me before men, I, too, will confess him before my Father who is in Heaven.”

This is the culminating movement of this excerpt. Let’s listen to it attentively because it’s easily misunderstood. Declaring yourself for Jesus isn’t a political act. It’s not the adoption of an ideology, a flag to carry, or a cause to defend in the public arena. The language of “declaring oneself” could suggest a time of public commitment, a sort of strategic positioning. This isn’t what Jesus asks of us.

When the disciples speak about Jesus in the light of day, when they proclaim from the rooftops what they’ve heard in the shadows, they’re not acting. They’re simply sharing what they’ve become. They talk about him because they belong to him. They bear witness because their lives were shaped by his.

Declaring oneself for Jesus, therefore, means approaching the deepest truth of what one is. It’s not a time of religious enthusiasm or emotional social belonging. It’s the recognition, matured through friendship with Jesus, of having allowed oneself to be formed by prayer and abandonment: my identity is rooted in my “dwelling” in Christ Jesus.

Conclusion

“Do not be afraid”: not because the world has become safe. Not because the mission is easy. But because we are known, loved, and supported by Christ Jesus. We are accompanied by him who has counted every hair on our head and who calls us by name before the Father.

We ask that we may never lack the grace of this freedom, the fruit of our friendship with Jesus.