by Father Bosco Carvalho for BISMumbai

"All roads lead to Rome" but in the case of the 05 MumbaiSalesians' newly ordained priests, it was "all roads lead home" - Divyadaan, the home where they grew in wisdom and understanding, finding favour with God and favour with people. The staff and students at Divyadaan, Salesian Institute of Philosophy-Nashik, proudly welcomed 05 of their brother-students-now-turned-priests Fathers Bosco Carvalho, Mavron Fernandes, Xavie Bandya, Jerome Aruldas, and Clarence Martis on 21 January, 2020. The Salesians of Don Bosco of the other communities in Nashik and the FMA nuns were present for this occasion.

Father Robert Pen, Rector-Divyadaan, warmly welcomed and felicitated the new priests with the scholastics staging a short cultural programme with a band piece, a creative address, a song and a very meaningful presentation on 'The Call'. The Salesian sisters (FMA) also sang a beautiful blessing song, which was followed by an interactive session.

The Eucharist was presided over by Father Carvalho, stressing in his homily how, "the late Father Ronald Menezes looked at me with the eyes of God and helped me find my vocation." He urged the congregation to do likewise. After blessing the confreres and nuns the new priests enjoyed a homely dinner with the members of the Salesian Family. After Compline, at the customary Good Night, Father Aruldas invited the confreres saying, "find your worth wherever you are sent."