by BISMumbai Correspondent

Mukesh Garasiya, a Missionary to Nepal from Salesian Province of Mumbai, said his final yes to Don Bosco, in the presence of Fr. Joseph Pauria, the Provincial of Salesian Province of Kolkata, on 26th January, here at Don Bosco Shrine, Siliguri.

Mukesh, who is presently pursuing his theological studies in Sacred Heart Theological College, Shillong, joined the Mission country of Nepal, on 10th June 2018, as a second year of Practical Trainee in Don Bosco Bharol, Nepal.

In the presence of 40 priests, religious and lay people, Fr. Joseph Pauria received the vows of Cl. Mukesh on behalf of Rector Major. Fr. Davis, the Rector of Don Bosco Siliguri and Fr. Leslie Pereira, another missionary to Nepal, stood as witnesses while Fr. Provincial received the Vows.

Cl. Mukesh reminiscing his call to become a missionary, narrates how he incessantly wrote to Mission Superior, Fr. Guilermo Basanes, stating his desire to become a missionary. But every time he would be replied with, “Brother, pray.” “It was only in his first year of Practical Training in Don Bosco Borivali that Fr. Ivan D’Souza, my first aspirantate Rector suggested me for Nepal Mission,” says Mukesh. “And when I wrote for it, I was immediately selected.”

“From the time I entered the Salesian formation, I was always part of the missionary group,” narrates Mukesh, on his beginning of missionary call. But even before that, he says, “I was fascinated by the Jesuits and CMI fathers who were jointly carrying out mission work in Sihor, Gujarat.” He wanted to become a priest but since he was doubting about his high school and higher secondary results, he delayed his entry into any congregation.

“I had no knowledge of Diocesan or religious congregation,” but a priest from his village, Fr. Mathew Katara, a Salesian helped him to enter the Salesian congregation. Since he was already late for that year, he had to work as boarding In-charge, in Jyoti Bhavan in Madhya Pradesh and then apply next year. He will be the fourth priest from his village and a second Salesian.

Cl. Mukesh, is the fourth child of Gabubhai and Samni Katara, who was born on 22nd July, 1989, in the village of Mahuri in Rajasthan. His mother died when he was in the Pre-Novitiate. He completed his primary to high school education in Sihor, Gujarat and did his higher secondary education in St. Paul’s college, Lucknow. He entered the Aspirantate, made his First profession on 24th May 2014, and completed his graduation and philosophy in Nasik, Maharastra. At the end of the first year of practical training he moved to his mission station in Nepal.

Since then, he is in the province of Kolkata working for the Nepal mission. “though I have my contract for 10 years to work in Nepal, I have an earnest desire to continue my mission in Nepal,” says Mukesh, as he continues his Theological formation in Shillong.