By Alisha Khemali for BIS Mumbai

The Salesian Catechetical Centre at Pune, organised an Inter-Parish Marian Evening 2026 for the confirmation students of the Diocese of Poona on August 16, 2026 at Don Bosco Youth Centre, Koregaon Park. A total of 16 parishes participated in the Marian Quiz, with six students representing each parish, making a total of 96 confirmation students. Besides this, there were 60 catechists, parents, brothers and sisters present for this event. The animating team comprised of the Salesian Catechetical Core Team, Sisters of Religious of Jesus and Mary, and Salesian Youth Movement youth. With the theme ‘To Live and Love like Mary’, the evening brought together young people from across the diocese for a celebration of faith, fellowship and devotion to Mother Mary.

 The Marian Evening began with a prayer hymn ‘Mary did you know’ during which the participants offered up flowers to Mary as a symbol of entrusting themselves to her motherly care. Fr Ian Doulton, the Rector of Don Bosco Youth Centre, welcomed the participants and the audience. His message encouraged the young people to look to Mary not merely as a figure from the past, but as a model for their own lives urging them ‘to live and love like she did’. Her faith, humility, courage and willingness to say ‘yes to God continue to inspire young people to live and love as true disciples of Christ. Since this event coincided with the birthday of Don Bosco, our Father and Founder, the animating team presented a lively playlet entitled ‘Birthday Bash in Heaven’. This showcased how Don Bosco cares for youth even now, from heaven. The skit reflected the Salesian spirit of joy and celebration and dedication to youth.

 The Inter-Parish Marian Quiz 2026 was conducted by the Quiz Masters Fr Bosco Carvalho and Ms Alisha Khemali. There were six quiz rounds during which the participants vied with each other in order to demonstrate their knowledge and love for Mother Mary. A few highlights of the quiz included the ‘Will you come with me for a Date?’ and ‘Mary picks a lucky one’ rounds. The excitement doubled during the ‘Kaun Banega Crorepati’ round where participants scored points for their teams by answering the questions using the ‘50-50’ and ‘Phone a Friend’ lifelines. The final ‘Rapid Fire’ round, conducted by Fr Doulton, gave the teams a boost to score added points for their teams. The quiz rounds were interspersed by games and relays based on the life of Mother Mary.

 The Marian Evening, through the Quiz and Games, became an invitation for every young person to carry Mary’s ‘yes’ into their homes, parishes and everyday lives. The participating parishes expressed their appreciation for the programme and shared that the evening was very well organised, meaningful and enjoyable. A participant exclaimed “We enjoyed the evening right from the prayer moment to the prize distribution.” A catechist commended the team and said “The evening was focused on Mary and a wonderful occasion to catechise on Mary.”

 The animating team deserved appreciation owing to their month-long preparation, planning and execution of the event. The Marian Evening 2026 concluded on a joyful note, leaving the young participants with memories of friendship, faith and to take Mary as their inspiration and to discover what it truly means to live and love like Mary.