by Ankita Shelke for BIS Mumbai

In a spirit of joy and inspiration, newly ordained priests from the Mumbai Province of the Salesian Society visited several Salesian institutions across the INB, sharing their journeys and engaging with students and communities.

Don Bosco Kapadvanj
On January 13, 2025, Don Bosco Kapadvanj welcomed five newly ordained priests: Fr Agnel Dias, Fr Avil Correa, Fr Nathaneal George, Fr Selvin D'Mello, and Fr Vinay Ganawa, accompanied by Br Royston Colaco. Their visit included a tour of various sectors, culminating in a Solemn Holy Eucharist. Fr. Selvin served as the principal celebrant, and in his homily, Fr. Vinay encouraged the congregation to center their lives on God. The day concluded with heartfelt felicitations and a communal lunch, fostering a spirit of fraternity.

Rasquinha Don Bosco Technical Training Centre, Chakan
On January 17, 2025, the same group visited Rasquinha Don Bosco Technical Training Centre, where they celebrated the Eucharist with the community, staff, students, and neighboring religious sisters. The priests shared their vocation stories, reflecting on their journeys from students to Salesians, and the support they received along the way. This visit was a moment of gratitude for God’s guidance in their lives and ministries.

Divyadaan
The newly ordained priests visited Divyadaan, where they celebrated Mass, with Fr Jeswin as the principal celebrant. The community welcomed them with a dance, and the program included performances from the brothers, honoring the priests. Their interaction offered insights into their vocation stories, creating a memorable evening filled with joy and reflection.

Salesian Training Institute, Nashik
The newly ordained priests also visited the Salesian Training Institute in Nashik, where they interacted with the Novitiate community. Accompanied by Br Royston, they shared their formation journeys, encouraging novices to embrace the broader Salesian mission. The visit included a Holy Eucharist, where Fr Selvin was the main celebrant. The novices performed a family circle presentation, which was well-received, marking a joyful conclusion to the visit.

Sacred Heart Parish, Yerwada
Sacred Heart Parish witnessed a significant spiritual milestone with a Eucharistic celebration led by the newly ordained priests. Fr Jeswin Mastan served as the main celebrant, supported by Fr Crispino D’Souza and Fr Alex Carvalho. During the homily, Fr Avil Correa drew a parallel between the joy of family weddings and the divine covenant God invites us to embrace. A short felicitation program honored the priests, with shawls presented as tokens of appreciation. The event included an interactive session where catechism children asked insightful questions, allowing the priests to share their vocation journeys and experiences. 

St. Dominic Savio School, Andheri
On January 21, Fr Nathaneal, Fr Avil, and Fr Agnel visited St. Dominic Savio School, starting with a spiritually enriching Holy Eucharist. Fr Avil presided over the Mass, and Fr Nathaneal delivered a sermon that resonated with the students, emphasizing service and compassion. The priests engaged in a lively Q&A session, toured the school, and connected with the boys at the Boys’ Home, further inspiring the youth with their personal stories and faith journeys.

The visits of the newly ordained priests across these institutions served as a powerful reminder of the vitality of the Salesian vocation. Their presence inspired the communities, fostered deeper faith, and highlighted the importance of mentorship and service in the lives of young people.