On April 16, 2006, Fr. Valentín de Pablo Masa, Salesian priest, missionary, and a former Regional Councillor for Africa-Madagascar, passed away. On the anniversary of his death, Fr. Alphonse Owoudou, his successor (2020–2025) and recently elected at GC29 as the first Councillor of the newly formed Central and West Africa Region, offers a heartfelt tribute to his predecessor.
Fr. Valentín was born on April 26, 1946, in Castronuño, a small village in the province of Valladolid, Spain. It was there, amid the humble stones of rural Spain, that he nurtured a concrete, resilient, and humble faith—one that would later make him a spiritual guide and brother to many. At 17, he entered the Salesian novitiate in Mohernando and made his first profession on August 16, 1963. Ten years later, he was ordained a priest in Salamanca, beginning a journey that took him to diverse lands and situations, always with the same heart: dedicated to youth, faithful to the Gospel, Salesian to the very end.
His life was one of constant journeying, but never aimless—each step preparing him for the next. He began as a catechist at the aspirantate in Zuazo de Cuartango, and in 1974 he was sent as a missionary to Mozambique during a time of major political instability. There, his deep love for Africa began—an affection that would persist even after his forced expulsion in 1978.
Back in Spain, he embraced his new responsibilities with determination: missionary animator in Madrid, then formator for young theologians in Vitoria. In 1984, he became National Delegate for Youth Ministry, serving first at the Don Bosco House in Madrid and later in Carabanchel. He remained there for eight years, impacting an entire generation with his intelligent and spiritually rich presence.
In 1992, he had a brief pastoral experience in Bellflower, California, but it was in his return to Mozambique at the end of 1993 that he rediscovered his deeper calling. In Maputo, he served as Rector of the “Jardim” Aspirantate and then the “Casa Dom Bosco.” Later, he was appointed Provincial Delegate for Mozambique. During these years, he became a fatherly figure to Salesians, novices, and youth alike. Fluent in five languages—Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, French, and English—he had the rare gift of adapting to different cultures while staying rooted in his evangelical authenticity.
In 2002, during General Chapter 25, he was elected General Councillor for the Africa-Madagascar Region. Though called to Rome, his heart remained on the move. He became a traveling shepherd for an entire continent, visiting Salesian communities in Madagascar, Mali, Angola, Nigeria, Ethiopia, and Congo. He offered quiet accompaniment, wise counsel, and passionate animation.
Fr. Valentín was a driving force behind the “Project Africa“, a bold and coordinated plan for the development of Salesian presences in Africa, carried out with the collaboration of Salesian Provinces worldwide. He also contributed significantly to the creation and consolidation of CIVAM (Conferenza d Ispettorie e Visitatorie Salesiane dell Africa e Madagascar), the Conference of Salesian Provinces and Vice-Provinces of Africa-Madagascar, a key tool for unity and shared responsibility that has recently been reorganized into two new regions by GC29.
Fr. Valentín was not one for big speeches or dramatic gestures. He was a man who walked, listened, and built quietly. Known in the General Council for his simplicity, practical wisdom, and broad ecclesial and missionary vision, he remained active in Council work right up until the end.
On April 16, 2006, during a fraternal visit to confreres in Mali, he died suddenly in Touba. It was an unexpected passing but one that reflected his life perfectly: beside his brothers, on the road in service, in the heart of the African mission. He was 59 years old. His death deeply moved the entire Salesian Congregation. Then-Rector Major Fr. Pascual Chávez expressed his grief and gratitude:
“His sudden and unexpected death took us all by surprise and left us deeply shaken. I thank you all for the many heartfelt expressions of sympathy and prayer. Let us thank the Lord together for the gift of Fr. Valentín’s Salesian, priestly, and missionary vocation. Let us remember him in our prayers. In the final days of his life, he took part in the selection of the Chapter theme. Now, in God’s presence, he can intercede for us—for the success of the Chapter and the Africa-Madagascar Region.” (ACG 394, p. 3)
Fr. Valentín lives on in the memory of African Salesians and in the works he helped to found. Many consider him a spiritual intercessor for the Salesian mission in Africa. There is hardly a Salesian community on the continent where his name doesn’t inspire esteem, affection, and gratitude. He did not seek visibility, but became visible through his authenticity. He was not a fiery preacher, but his silence spoke volumes. He was no theorist, but he had far-reaching vision.
He leaves behind a shining example: a Salesian who embraced every role as a calling, every place as a mission, every person as a gift. As we celebrate 150 years of Salesian missions, we give thanks for Fr. Valentín, who died as he lived—as a missionary: walking, watchful, and full of love.
ANS – Rome
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