by Cl Ambrose Monteiro for BIS Mumbai

On Saturday, March 22, 2025, at 5 p.m., the Jubilee Cross, a significant symbol of the Jubilee Year of Hope 2025, made a special visit to St. Dominic Savio Boys Home in Andheri, Mumbai, where it was received by Fr Francisco Pereira SDB, the Rector. This visit, part of a wider celebration, aimed to offer a moment of prayer, praise, and reflection for the young boarders, fostering a deeper connection with their faith community. The event, which included a dedicated prayer service and veneration, was conducted by the Salesian community for the young boys and staff members.

The Jubilee Cross's arrival at St. Dominic Savio Boys’ Home was a poignant moment for the boarding students, who live and learn within the institution's walls. As part of the global Don Bosco family, the school is committed to nurturing young hearts and minds through love, discipline, and unwavering faith through its Preventive educational system. The visit, timed to coincide with the Jubilee Year of Hope 2025, served as a powerful reminder of God's presence in their daily lives. Fr Francisco Pereira SDB along with the whole Dominic Savio community, warmly welcomed the cross, setting the stage for an hour of grace-filled reflection.

A structured prayer service was conducted, which included a detailed explanation of the Jubilee Cross's significance, hymns centered on the theme of hope, and the recitation of the Divine Mercy Chaplet. The service provided a space for the boys to collectively express their faith and connect with the broader Catholic community. The cross was made available for veneration through the Prayer Service, allowing the boys and staff to personally engage with the sacred symbol. Approximately 30 boarders, 15 staff members, and 10 Salesian community members participated in the event.

After the initial veneration period, the Jubilee Cross was then moved to the infirmary section of the institution, where it was venerated. This allowed the Salesian confreres of the Province Infirmary to be able to experience the spiritual symbol of the Jubilee cross. The cross’s journey through the premises ensured that the message of hope and divine mercy reached all corners of the home.

The visit of the Jubilee Cross to St. Dominic Savio Boys Home was a moment of profound spiritual significance for the young boarders. As they gathered around the cross, they lifted their voices in song and prayer, experiencing a deep connection with their faith and with each other. The event was facilitated by the Salesian community members, and then the cross was taken back by the Parish volunteers, leaving behind an atmosphere of peace and renewed hope. The blessings bestowed by the Jubilee Cross will hopefully inspire the boys as they navigate their paths of wisdom, service, and holiness.