By BIS Correspondent for BIS Mumbai

“And I will give you pastors according to my own heart, and they shall feed you with knowledge and doctrine.” —Jeremiah 3:15. Through prophets, God made the promise and his chosen ones fulfilled His word as they ventured into the world, unknown to them. Don Bosco, in his life time dreamed about something wonderful and fulfilled much greater than the world would have thought of. He established the Association of Salesian Co-operators in 1876 as a group of lay people (men, women, and clergy) to help him work with and care for young people, especially the poor and working youth of the industrial revolution. He called them "Salesians-in-the-world," and they commit to living the Gospel in their daily lives and spreading the Salesian spirit in their homes, workplaces, and communities to be "good Christians and good citizens". 

With this same zeal, the community of Don Bosco, Alirajpur, with constant support from Province Delegate Fr Diego Nunes and his team has created a beautiful memory to remember forever.    

The event took place at Don Bosco, Alirajpur on October 10, 2025, at 7 p.m., during Holy Eucharist. Fr Nunes presided over the mass inviting the faithful to pray for the new Co-operators who were taking the oath to remain faithful in the Don Bosco way. Fr Cyril D’Souza, in his sermon, spoke about the idea of Don Bosco of getting lay people involved in his ministry. He stressed on the work of Mamma Margaret when she entered in the Oratory on her son’s word. She carried all the possible tasks in the mission of Don Bosco. Fr D’Souza shared about how inspite of all the hardship Mamma Margaret endured at the Oratory, she helped her son wholeheartedly. Fr D’Souza invited the new Salesian Co-operators to venture into a new journey, how by living family life and by participating in the common life of the society, they could set aside their valuable time in the mission of Jesus in the Don Bosco way.

After the homily, the candidates were presented before Fr Nunes, the Province Delegate for Salesian Co-operators. And Fr Nunes invited them to stand before the Altar to pledge the oath. The new co-operators took their promise in the presence of Fr Nunes and Fr D’Souza. The provincial co-ordinator received the promise and accepted the candidates into the co-operators association. For this ceremony, the candidates Mrs Shanti Damor, Mrs Sharda Babhor, Mr Paulus Damor and Kalsingh Babhor were prepared by Fr D’Souza. Fr Nunes, along with his council, Mrs Sudha Pillay, Mrs Marie Rodrigues, Mr Franklin and Mr Dien assisted them to comprehend the call they have received. The team was very much involved in a long process to prepare them for this day. Soon after the Eucharist the newly promised Salesian Co-operators along with their family members, council members and the Salesians gathered for a fellowship meal.