by Father McEnroe Lopes for BISMumbai

The newly ordained Mumbai Salesians' Fathers Bosco Carvalho, Clarence Martis, Mavron Fernandes, Jerome Aruldas and Xavier Bandya arrived at Don Bosco Lonavla along with the setting sun on 15 January 2020.

Accorded a warm welcome with a song at the Aspirantate entrance by the boys and community, they were ushered to their rooms. Soon after, Father Bandya preached the scheduled monthly recollection for the Salesians and the boys. This monthly feature established by Don Bosco himself, was in the earlier days called 'Exercise for a Happy Death', and invited each one to examine one's manner of living and an occasion to purify one's conscience, while praying for the 'one who would be the 1st to die'. The new priests after the example of Don Bosco made themselves available for the Sacrament of Reconciliation, which the boys appreciated.

Father Martis gave the customary 'Good Night', another practice since the very 1st days of the oratory, established by Don Bosco, thanks to the example set by his mother Bl. Mamma Margaret who used to address the boys before bed-time, npt exceeding 03 minutes. Father Martis shared his vocation journey in answer to God's call.

The next morning, the feast day of St. Joseph Vaz, Father Carvalho presided at the concelebrated Eucharist. Drawing from his personal life-experiences, he exhorted the community to, "allow God to lead you, direct you and accompany you. It is important to listen attentively to the Call and respond to it with faith, in humility."

Later, the new priests had some time set aside for interaction with the Salesians and boys at DBLNL. It was a moment of grace to rejoice with the new priests, recollect one's thoughts, tuning into God and be reconciled experiencing joy.