by BISMumbai Correspondent

MumbaiSalesians' Salesian Youth Movement [SYM] organised an online 20 minutes Divine Mercy Adoration for Myanmar on 11 April 2021 at 3 pm (IST). This was in response to the initiative of "young people who pray for young people," promoted by the international Salesians of Don Bosco Youth Ministry Department's #SYMPRAYSFORMYANMAR- for Peace, Democracy and Freedom, stimulated prayer for Myanmar from every continent.

In the first part of the Zoom Divine Mercy Adoration, the newly appointed MumbaiSalesians' Youth Ministry Delegate and Missionary of Mercy-Father Leon Cruz Rathinam provided a brief orientation on the current situation in Myanmar and the need for a prayer-response. The Adoration was broadcast live from Don Bosco Parish Makarpura-Vadodara, Gujarat. Various SYM members animated the different parts of the Adoration like the singing of the Divine Mercy chaplet, the intercessions and a special prayer for Myanmar. The Adoration concluded with a blessing by Father Anthony Pinto. Owing to the limit, 100 participants, mostly from the states of Maharashtra, Gujarat and Goa, could participate via Zoom.

Other houses and communities, such as Bosco Boys' Home Borivli, Dominic Savio Andheri, Salesian Training Institue Nashik and across individual MumbaiSalesians' presences, 'adoration services' were organised in solidarity. Creative PowerPoint presentations, video clipping, news-reports, prayer-wall, and short prayer-messages were used by the Salesians and boys engaging in peace meditation, sending peace vibes and praying for the suffering innocent of Myanmar.

Former MumbaiSalesians' Youth Ministry Delegate Father Glenford Lowe said, "unfortunately, due to the prevailing Covid-19 chaos, we could not organise a huge gathering of young people in solidarity and support. However, the prayer video and cards were sent out to all across the province and young people everywhere were invited to pray, trust in Divine Mercy and keep watch." MumbaiSalesians' ViceProvincial Father Ashley Miranda said, "Myanmar is such a beautiful land with wonderful people, as I have discovered over the years, during my short stays for philosophy-lectures there. Sadly, the violence has marred the lives of ordinary citizens and is affecting young innocent lives. I pray for the wonderful students and young people that they may stay strong during these critical moments."