By Nv. Hanley Gomes for BISMumbai

The General Councilor of the South Asia Region, Fr Biju Michael, made his visit to STI Novitiate Community, Nashik, on 26 and 27 September 2022.

Having arrived in the evening of 26 September, Fr Biju Michael was warmly welcomed by the novices and staff. He then began his visitation with a conference for the community where he reflected on community life. He began with the theme of GC28, “What kind of Salesians for the youth of today?”, and went on to speak on the Salesian consecrated identity, community life and mission. After the conference, the novices put up a short programme to felicitate Fr Biju Michael. It was a beautiful manifestation of Salesian family spirit expressed through songs, dance and skit.

During the good night talk, Fr Biju Michael shared a thought on Salesian sanctity that the congregation should be proud of and which is a sign of the effectiveness of the Salesian educative system and spirituality. In connection to the readings of the day, he shared about the vow of poverty and the need to remain faithful to God just like Job of the Old Testament in prosperity as well as in adversity.

On the following morning, Fr Biju Michael presided over the Holy Eucharist. In the homily, through the life examples of Job, Vincent de Paul, Don Bosco, and Jesus, he spoke about the importance of loving persistently in spite of the hardships and rejections that one faces in life. After breakfast, he met each of the community members individually. In the evening, he met the staff members, and later with the entire community during which he read the report of his visit and presented his recommendations for the community.

During his concluding conference, Fr Biju Michael shared a reflection on the motto of the society “Give me souls; take away the rest”, wherein he reminded that consecration, community life and mission should be involved together in saving the souls of the young as well as saving one’s own soul.