By Nv. Joshua Ferrao and Nv. Tritwar Katara for BISMumbai

In Salesian institutions, the feast of the Guardian Angel is celebrated in honour of the Practical trainees (assistant). In this light, on 2 October 2022, STI Novitiate Community felicitated Cl. Hubert Lyngdoh, as a gesture of love and appreciation for his role and presence in the community.

This day is to celebrate the Salesians who look after youth as they watch over them and guide them through a friendly and brotherly presence. Hence a Salesian Assistant is a “teacher, friend and a brother” to the young entrusted to his care.

To add to the festivity of the day, the novices had gone through much preparation with love. Their creative efforts were seen in their artistic preparations.

In the morning, the community prayed for Cl. Lyngdoh during the Sunday Mass. The grandeur of the occasion was expressed meaningfully in the evening where the novices animated a prayer service, praying for all those in practical training. After the prayer service, the community gathered around Cl. Lyngdoh to express love and gratitude to him through a family circle in a creative manner. The novices put up beautiful and meaningful songs and dance; they expressed their love through an address and the presentation of a greeting card. The short program ended with the cutting of the cake.

The day’s celebration ended with night prayers and a good night talk given by Cl. Lyngdoh. He thanked the staff and novices for the love and respect they show him and for the support he received from the community. He shared about his devotion to the Guardian Angel by citing examples from his experiences of the powerful presence of the guardian angel in his life. He encouraged the novices to pray devoutly for the intercession of the Guardian Angel in their life too.

Finally, he shared a thought, quoting Don Bosco’s words, “Be ever more convinced that your guardian angel is really present, that he is ever at your side. St Frances of Rome always saw him standing before her, his arms clasped at his breast, his eyes uplifted to Heaven but at the slightest failing he would cover his face as if in shame, and at times turn his back to her.”