by Br Melvyn Carvalho for BIS Mumbai

The Salesian brothers of the Mumbai Province met for a two-day program at Divyadaan Nashik, on January 5 and 6, 2025. The 7 brothers present were Br. Jerome, Br. Vincent, Br. Savio, Br. Tony M, Br. Allan, Br. Vishal and Br. Melvyn.

The day began with the holy Eucharist in the parish with the Provincial who presided over the mass. The 1st session was taken by Fr. Ashley, the vice provincial. He elaborated on the congregation’s strenna of 2025: Anchored in Hope, pilgrims with young people. He also threw light on the Bull of indiction, SPES NON CONFUNDIT (Hope does not disappoint) of the ordinary jubilee year of 2025. A person of hope is a pilgrim hoping to create a better world. We need to have hope that takes us beyond our fears.

Fr Robert Pen, the Rector of Divyadaan was instrumental in helping the Brothers to draw up concrete lines of action with a time frame based on the final statement of the 9th Brothers Congress that concluded in January 2024. He also dealt with the topics such as identifying one’s core values, making time for self and healing oneself emotionally. These topics helped us to have a better insight of ourselves and strengthen our self-image.

Fr Joaquim Dsouza took a session on the Salesian identity. He shared his experiences as a Salesian and stressed the need for complementarity in role of a Salesian priest and a Salesian brother. Both need each other in the mission of the congregation. He also shared the life of Br. Zatti, whose life was filled with troubles and difficulties and yet how he went ahead in his mission of healing and serving the poor 

The visit of the Salesian brothers was enriched by the interaction with the Novices at STI, the brothers of Divyadaan, the children at the school and most of all with fellow Salesians of the different surrounding communities. The hallmark of the interactions was the warm hospitality experienced by the Salesian brothers in all the Salesian communities from the beginning till the end.