By Br Aliester D’Souza for BISMumbai

It was a day of great joy for the Salesian Province of Bombay on the feast of Mary Help of Christians as six Salesian novices (4 INB and 2 INP) made their first profession while Cl. Bless Rumao made his perpetual profession at Don Bosco Church, Nashik, on 24 May at 0730 hours. Fr Savio Silveira sdb, the Provincial of the Province of Bombay, presided over the Eucharist. Fr Ian Figueredo, celebrating the golden jubilee of his first profession, represented the Province of Panjim. 21 priests con-celebrated at the Eucharist.

The six novices were prepared to make this important life-choice after a year of discernment under Fr Wyman Gonsalves sdb, the novice-master. Fr Silveira, in his homily, exhorted the newly professed to be passionate about Jesus and dedicated to the young. Christ, he said, is the core of religious life and dedication to the young means giving ones entire life for the good of the young.

After they recited the formula of profession, Fr Silveira welcomed Aldon D’Souza, Sherwin Carvalho, Croydon Fernandes, Shaun Sequiera, Ananias Minj, and Mohan Katara into the Salesian Congregation as confreres committed by temporary vows. It was a joyful occasion in the presence of their family members, fellow Salesians, well-wishers and friends to commit their lives to live the gospel the Don Bosco way. Also, the provincial received Cl. Rumao as a confrere committed by perpetual vows. 

On behalf of the Salesian fraternity, the Provincial thanked the parents and family for the gift of their sons to the congregation and assured them of the manifold blessings of God for allowing their son to live their vocation as Salesians.

On 23 May, six young salesians renewed their vows at Don Bosco, Lonavla, at the concluding Eucharist after their spiritual retreat in the presence of Fr Ashley Miranda, the Vice-Provincial.