by BISMumbai Correspondent

Don Bosco Provincial House at Matunga-Mumbai, had its monthly recollection on 05 August 2020. Preached by former MumbaiSalesians' Provincial and former Don Bosco South Asia Regional Councillor Father Joaquim D'Souza, the topic was 'Salesian Identity'.

In a profound yet lucid explanation, delving into his treasure-trove of vast experience, Father D'Souza began with the examination of the two complementary forms [Priest-Salesian and Brother-Salesian] of exercising the one and the same Salesian mission. He focused on how in response to the call of God, the self-offering in a single movement of love to God and to those to whom one is sent, is an inseparable intermingling or the grace of unity. Drawing on examples from the life of Don Bosco, he presented the two most important mottos for the Salesians of Don Bosco: 'give me souls and take away the rest', and 'work and temperance will make the congregation flourish'. Father D'Souza also touched upon various pertinent sub-points within the discourse [Salesian spirituality, the three loves of Don Bosco, education and evangelisation], pointing out a healthy and fruitful tension in the Salesian style of living the evangelical counsels [obedience, poverty and chastity], before concluding with the role of Mary in the life of the Salesian and of the Salesian community.

The Eucharistic Adoration brought the evening of recollection to an ecstatic close, even as the torrential downpour continued unabated into the Mumbai night.