By Fr Alex Carvalho for BISMumbai

Don Bosco Bhavan, Savedi, celebrated the presence of Fr Biju Michael, the General Councillor for South Asia. The extraordinary visitation began on 8 November 2022.

The community welcomed Fr Biju Michael with warmth and tender hospitality. In his opening conference to the community, he shared his reflections on our common Salesian mission and the challenges that we face in carrying out this mission. He placed before the community the examples of Paul and Silas. He encouraged the Salesians not to give into discouragement or be afraid, in the face of challenges.

On the following morning, Fr Biju Michael was present at the school assembly. He was warmly greeted by all the students and teachers. He was welcomed and felicitated by the teachers in the traditional Maharashtrian way. In his speech, he congratulated and thanked the staff for their dedicated service to the institute and to the young entrusted to their care. In his speech he encouraged the students to grow in knowledge with positivity. Later he met the teaching and non-teaching staff. He made his conference interactive and highlighted the important task of an educator: to keep learning with curiosity so as to uncover the richness of the curriculum to the students.

Fr Biju Michael met each Salesian individually. He also toured around the campus visiting the structures especially the two schools. Later, taking time out, he visited the Auxilium convent at Savedi.

In the evening, he concelebrated the Holy Eucharist along with Salesians and the lay faithful. All the members from the parish association gathered around the altar for the Eucharistic celebration. At this auspicious moment, Fr Biju Michael was felicitated by the parishioners. He thanked the leaders and animators for their support and dedicated service to the church at Savedi. He assured the faithful of his prayers and God’s blessing on them.

The extraordinary visitation was indeed a moment of grace for the Ahmednagar mission. The Salesians were taken up by the pleasant nature of Fr Biju Michael and the endearing manner in which he interacted with the community.