By Cl. Loren Crasto for BISMumbai

 After its bi-annual meeting at Don Bosco Provincial House, Mumbai, the Salesian World Advisory Council for Formation visited the post-novitiate and the novitiate of the Salesian Province of Bombay, which are situated at Nashik in Maharashtra, from the 18 to 20 February 2023. Headed by Fr Ivo Coelho, the General Councillor for Formation of the Salesian Congregation, the team consisted of the regional formation coordinators, the directors of the regional animation centres and the central formation team.

The team arrived at Divyadaan, the post-novitiate at around 10 in the morning, on the 18 February. After lunch, they visited the famous Buddhist caves at Pandavlene which are over 2000 years old. In the evening, they had a very enriching interaction with the students at the post-novitiate. The members of the Formation Council elaborately shared about their regions and the work with regard to formation that is carried out there. They then patiently answered the many curious questions posed by the brothers who were enthusiastic about deepening their knowledge about the Salesian world. From dearth of vocations to community life and to various practices of formation houses - a wide range of topics were discussed during the interaction.

The following day, the team joined the celebration of the Holy Mass at the nearby Don Bosco Parish where Fr Coelho presided over the same. This was followed by breakfast at the Novitiate and interaction with the novices. In the latter part of the day, they visited Tapovan, which is set besides the Godavari river and is known for its yoga ashrams. Then, they headed towards the Panchavati temples which is situated on the left banks of the sacred river Godavari in Nashik city. In the evening the team called on the local ordinary, Bishop Lourdes Daniel, Bishop of the Diocese of Nashik who was celebrating his birthday. In the evening at 7:00, the student of the post-novitiate put up a cultural program in honour of the visitors, showcasing the rich and diverse cultural heritage of India.

On the 20 February, the team celebrated the Holy Eucharist with the post-novitiate community in their community chapel and proceeded towards Mumbai post breakfast, after having had a memorable time in Nashik.