By Lata Dindor for BIS Mumbai

 "Behold, a faithful and prudent steward, whom the Lord set over his household" (Cf. Lk 12:42); this entrance antiphon found in the Roman Missal for the solemnity of Saint Joseph, spouse of Mary, set the tone for the festive Eucharistic celebration at Kevadiya, Banswara. Presided over by Fr Ashley Miranda, Provincial, along with Fr Robert Pen, Vice Provincial, and the Salesian confreres from Kapadwanj and Banswara.

Due to his ill health, his Lordship Devprasad Ganawa svd, Bishop of the Catholic Diocese had to refrain himself from officiating at the Eucharist. Bishop Ganawa entrusted the 'little flock' of Kevadiya for their pastoral care into the hands of the Salesians of Bombay Province in September 2023, declaring it a Parish, till then a mass centre, under the Church of Saints Peter and Paul, Thikaria, Banswara.

Kevadiya village, perched on a hilly terrain, is about 17 kms from Banswara, with a cent percent tribal population. Although economically backward, yet, a closely-knit community. For their basic sustenance, people at Kevadiya village depend totally on good monsoon to cultivate the small portion of their family land. Employment facilities with a good source of income are difficult and some even travel in the neighbouring states for gainful employment.

Saint Joseph, husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary was introduced with seven new invocations in the litany of the saint and approved by Pope Francis as Guardian of the Redeemer, Servant of Christ, Minister of Salvation, Support in difficulties, Patron of exiles, Patron of the afflicted, and Patron of the poor. In 1870, Pope Pius IX declared Saint Joseph the Patron of the Universal Church, and Pope Saint John XXIII inserted his name into the Roman Canon of Holy Mass in 1962.

In his homily, Fr Pen, Vice Provincial, highlighted the different qualities in the life of Saint Joseph, viz., obedience, humility, hard labour; love and service, peace and tranquillity amidst difficulties in life situations and above all, a model for family life. The liturgy was animated by the young people with a symbolic offering of tools that the people use in their fields in pattern with tools that St Joseph worked in his workshop. In conclusion, as a mark of appreciation and gratitude, the Provincial, Vice Provincial and other Salesians were offered a garland of flowers and were thanked for their visit to Kevadiya.