by Father Vivian deSouza for BISMumbai

October 07 2020, was a red letter day for Don Bosco Chinchwad. It was the day when the long cherished dream of having a Grotto to our Blessed Lady on the Campus, became a reality. The incubation period took some time and a suitable spot had to be finalised. Finally the choice was to have it at the entrance and it turned out to be the favored one. After scouring around, Sebastian Vincent from Pune who had built several grottos for various parishes, institutions and private houses, was entrusted the task.

The building of the grotto was a labour of love, with 03 of the hostel boys and 02 staff assisting the main architect, laying stone upon stone, till the structure was up as a beautiful edifice to house our Blessed Mother. The Salesian community, staff and a few well wishers, gathered at the grotto for the blessing and inauguration ceremony. The statue of our Blessed Mother was carried in procession by the group that worked, together with the confreres. It was then placed in the grotto.

Rector, Father Sanjay Lopes, explained the meaning of the grotto to the staff who were mainly people of other faiths, and then proceeded with the short prayer service and blessing. The whole service including the hymns was in Marathi. He thanked the persons responsible for setting up the grotto and mentioned "this project was sponsored by generous donors and well-wishers." This monument of love is expected to bring a lot of graces and consolation to the staff, students and all those who visit this Institution.