Early Missionary Work

Fr Maschio’s first assignment was in Cherrapunjee, where he worked with Fr Mlekus. When Fr Mlekus died of exhaustion, young Fr Maschio took over the mission. He purchased land, rebuilt the residence, and invited the Salesian Sisters to establish a presence. His organizational skills and fundraising abilities were already evident.

Pioneer of Salesian Mumbai

The Salesian presence in Mumbai began in 1928 with Fr Joseph Hauber and Fr Adolph Tornquist, who managed the Mary Immaculate Institute at Tardeo. When Fr Tornquist fell ill, the provincial, Fr Eligio Cinato, appointed the 27-year-old Fr Maschio to take over. He arrived in Tardeo on February 20, 1937.

Almost immediately, Fr Maschio began searching for a permanent home for the Salesians in Mumbai. He identified a plot of land near King’s Circle (now Maheshwari Udyan) in Matunga, and the sale was approved in July 1938. When the Salesians had to vacate Tardeo Castle in 1940, they temporarily moved to Cumballa Hill. Construction began at Matunga in 1941, and by October 31, 1941, Don Bosco School and Boarding had shifted to its new home.

In April 1944, following the Bombay Dock Explosion, Fr Maschio seized the opportunity to acquire debris for landfilling. This initiative led to the creation of the iconic playground at Don Bosco High School, Matunga. The second block of the school was completed in 1952, and the institution quickly became a beacon of Salesian education in India.

Don Bosco’s Madonna and the Shrine

In his first year in Mumbai, Fr Maschio began publishing a small folder titled Don Bosco’s Madonna. This humble initiative grew into a monthly religious magazine with a circulation of nearly 100,000 copies, reaching readers across India and abroad. The publication became a spiritual lifeline for many and a powerful tool for evangelization and devotion.

Fr Maschio also envisioned and built the Shrine of Don Bosco’s Madonna at Matunga, modeled after the Basilica of Our Lady Help of Christians in Turin. The Shrine became not only a place of worship but also a symbol of Salesian presence and Marian devotion in Mumbai.

Leadership and Legacy

Fr Maschio served as Rector of Matunga for 16 years, until 1953, when he was succeeded by Fr Mauro Casarotti. He continued as Rector of the Shrine and managed the Shrine Office, which became a hub for fundraising and communication with benefactors. Among his many supporters was J.R.D. Tata, a testament to Fr Maschio’s ability to build bridges across communities.

 During World War II, while many Italian Salesians were interned, Fr Maschio and his confrères in Mumbai were spared. They were restricted to Bombay Island and had to report weekly to the police, but they continued their work undeterred.

In 1970, the Italian government conferred on him the Knighthood of the Italian Republic, and in 1973, the title of Commendatore. The European Community recognized him as the head of a non-governmental organization and entrusted him with the distribution of food to social projects.

In 1972, the Salesian Province of Mumbai was officially established, with Fr Dennis Duarte as its first provincial. This was the realization of a dream that Fr Maschio had nurtured for decades.

A Builder of Institutions and Hearts

Fr Maschio was not just a builder of buildings—he was a builder of people. His vision extended beyond infrastructure to the formation of youth, the empowerment of the poor, and the spiritual nourishment of the faithful. His leadership was marked by humility, foresight, and unshakable faith.

He was a master fundraiser, but never for personal gain. Every rupee he raised was poured into schools, churches, hostels, and social projects. He believed in the power of education, the necessity of discipline, and the centrality of prayer.

Fr Maschio Humanitarian Award

In 1993, a group of lay volunteers formed the Diamond Jubilee Committee and instituted the Fr Maschio Humanitarian Award to honor individuals who embodied his spirit of service. Recipients have included Mother Teresa, Baba Amte, Kiran Bedi, Archbishop Thomas Menamparampil, Gladys Staines, Julio Ribeiro, and Gram Mangal. The award continues to celebrate those who, like Fr Maschio, dedicate their lives to the upliftment of others.

Maschio Memorial Foundation

In 1997, the Maschio Memorial Foundation was established at Don Bosco, Matunga, to continue his work. The Foundation supports projects that provide education, training, and care for the young and the poor. It stands as a living tribute to a man who gave everything for the mission.

Final Years and Death

Fr Maschio remained active until the very end. Even in his later years, he was a source of wisdom, encouragement, and inspiration. He passed away on September 9, 1996, in Mumbai, the city he had served and loved for nearly six decades. He was buried in the Shrine of Don Bosco’s Madonna, the church he had built with faith and love.

Fr Aurelius Maschio was a Salesian missionary of extraordinary vision, a man whose life embodied the spirit of Don Bosco in every word, deed, and dream. He was a builder, a pastor, a writer, a fundraiser, and above all, a father to the young. His legacy lives on in the institutions he founded, the lives he touched, and the mission he carried forward with unwavering zeal.

May his life continue to inspire generations of Salesians and lay collaborators to dream big, serve humbly, and love deeply.