By Cl. Ethan Fortes for BISMumbai

The aspirants of Don Bosco, Lonavla, began the Marian Month with a solemn Eucharist on the evening of 16 July 2022. The theme chosen for the Marian Month was ‘Imitating Mary’.

Fr Blany Pinto, the Rector, presided over the Inaugural Eucharist wherein he spoke of the tradition of the Marian Month and its origins right from the time of Don Bosco himself. The Marian Month is a Salesian tradition held in every house to deepen one’s devotion to our Blessed Mother and build up a mother-son relationship with her. Don Bosco stressed on the importance of the Marian Month as it is a time where the boy can deepen his love for Our Lady by way of activities, games and prayer. Fr Pinto also spoke of how the aspirants could deepen their relationship with Mary, saying that it is a prayerful devotion that ignites the spark to love Mary evermore deeply and then be inspired to imitate her in her various qualities.

After the Eucharist, Br Alfred Menezes inaugurated the Nosegays (a collection of good deeds) by opening a nosegay and instructing the boys about it. Likewise, Fr Ranson D’Souza, the Principal, also inaugurated the ‘Intention Tree’ and spoke a few words on how to increase our devotion to Mary by way of the intention tree.

The day concluded with a festive supper and an excitement for the month ahead filled with lots of different activities that would facilitate in deepening one’s devotion to Our Lady.