By Frs Nathaneal George & Chris Ferreira for BIS Mumbai

Young Salesians from the Provinces of Mumbai and Panjim, within the first five years of their priestly ordination, gathered at Don Bosco Youth Centre, Koregaon Park, Pune, for a three-day Quinquennnium orientation programme from September 18-20. The programme, organized by Fr Robert Pen, Vice Provincial, offered the young priests an opportunity for reflection, fraternity, personal integration and renewal in their Salesian vocation.

The first day began with the Eucharist celebrated by Fr Ashley Miranda, Provincial. In his homily, he invited the young Salesians to remain with Jesus and to be continually on the way with Him. He emphasized the importance of collaborating with lay people in the mission, drawing from the Gospel examples of those who accompanied and supported Jesus. He also encouraged the confreres to cultivate generosity as a response to the goodness of God experienced in their lives.

In the opening session, Fr Pen reflected on the importance of spiritual accompaniment in the life of Don Bosco. From his childhood relationship with Don Calosso to his later accompaniment by Don Cafasso, Don Bosco's journey demonstrated the value of having trusted guides throughout the different stages of life.

The sessions conducted by Fr Pen focused on silence and awareness, self-discovery, integrating emotions, integrating sexuality and charting an integration map. These reflections encouraged the participants to grow in self-awareness and to recognize the need for a balanced and integrated approach to their personal, spiritual and ministerial lives.

The second day began with a Eucharistic reflection by Fr Pen, who presented four types of religious hearts: the convenience heart, the emotional heart, the role-playing heart and the integrated heart. The reflection invited the participants to examine their motivations and to strive towards greater integration in their consecrated life.

Further sessions addressed emotional management mechanisms, particularly repression and suppression, as well as the revised Ratio of the Salesian Congregation. Fr Valerian Pereira presented the Salesian Preventive System as a guiding principle of Salesian mission, highlighting freedom, pedagogy, fidelity and pastoral accompaniment. Fr Pen also conducted a practical session on journaling, focusing on prayer review, spiritual journaling and disclosure.

The Goodnight talk by Fr Savio introduced the participants to the unique youth ministry initiatives carried out in the Salesian Provinces of Silchar, Kolkata and Delhi, broadening their awareness of the diverse expressions of Salesian mission in India.

On the final morning, the Eucharistic reflection invited the young priests to “put on the mind and heart of Christ” and to continually ask themselves, “What would Jesus do?” The programme concluded with practical guidelines for making a good guided retreat.

The orientation thus became a significant moment of fraternity, reflection and renewal, helping the young Salesians to deepen their relationship with Christ, understand themselves more fully and embrace their mission with greater freedom, fidelity and generosity.