By Br Aliester D’Souza for BISMumbai

72 Salesians from the 36 communities of the Salesian Province of Bombay (INB) gathered with great enthusiasm at Don Bosco, Lonavla, on 21 April 2024, for the second session of their Provincial Chapter (PC2024) held in preparation for General Chapter 29 (GC29). The theme is in keeping with GC29, ‘Passionate about Jesus Christ, Dedicated to Young People’.

The session commenced at 05:30 p.m., with a recollection animated by Fr Joaquim D’Souza, former Provincial of INB and former Regional Councillor for South Asia. His talk was the fruit of his study from GC20 to GC28 – nine General Chapters and 49 years of growth from 1971 to 2020 in the congregation. Through a meticulous summary of each General Chapter, Fr D’Souza demonstrated the origin of themes that have been recurrent in the subsequent years, each Chapter deepening their understanding and relevance.

After the recollection and silent meditation, the capitulars spent time with the Lord in the Blessed Sacrament. Fr Crispino D’Souza animated the adoration on the theme ‘Jesus the Good Shepherd’. He invited the Salesians to reflect on their calling to be good shepherds to the young. After the adoration service, Fr Ashley Miranda, the Vice-Provincial, addressed the gathering inviting them to be humble and proud - humble enough to accept that change begins with oneself, and at the same time proud of the Salesian calling and mission. Thus PC2024 began on a solemn and prayerful note.

On 22 April, the day began with the Eucharist celebrated by Fr Blany Pinto. In his homily, he mainly reflected how throughout salvation history, people were called to listen to the voice of the Lord in order to achieve greatness. 

The first session of the day began with the preliminaries - roll call and reading of the minutes of the First Session of PC2024. After this, the INB Provincial, Fr Savio Silveira, presented the report on the state of the province since the last Provincial Chapter. After an exhaustive presentation of nearly 40 pages, detailing every growth and challenge seen in the province, he proposed the way ahead for the province stressing the following priorities: Offering YaR services in every community, engaging effectively in the digital space, furthering higher education institutions in the province, and becoming a missionary province.

The INB Economer, Fr Gregory D’Almeida, then presented the financial report of the province since the last Chapter. He expressed his deepest gratitude to all the communities for their constant support and financial solidarity in the Province.