YOUTH CENTRES: A FACE OF DON BOSCO

It was on Sunday morning, I happened to meet great Fr Snigi Lingdo who is working tirelessly as confessor and writing Biblical commentaries in Sacred Heart Theological College, Shillong. Obviously, the chat was all about Salesian Mission in North East India. He said ‘Salesians transformed North East India, and he commented that when it comes to Youth Centers, there is still a room for improvement in North East India. This made me to think about the purpose of Don Bosco for opening youth centers and apostolic schools.  

While talking to Fr Snigi, I thought about the Salesian work and the mission in South India and India at large. It is very enlightening why Don Bosco did not open boarding and schools at first. Instead he opened the Youth Centres and Oratories. As a result Voldcco was one of the effective places of all his initiatives for young people of his times. And all of us know what it means to be having a Voldocco Experience; just like having an experience joy like a child in its mother’s arms.

Therefore, the need of Salesian India today is to return to the call of Don Bosco for Youth Movements, Youth Centres and Apostolic Schools. All these centers are meant to make the young people as the object of our Mission. Therefore, Don Bosco had foreseen the young who would live in midst of both good and evil. And therefore our task is to set them free from such dangers and thus win their soul for God in our Youth Centers and Youth Groups and Movements.

I had the privilege of visiting few youth centers and apostolic schools, like, Aluvwa, Vennela, Mathunga and BIRDY where young people are made comfortable and accepted despite and in spite of all that they are and all that they are not. These youth centers are very active and vibrant serving the young people even today. Thus the Salesians are productive and effective. I can happily say that these places are just like the place of Voldocco where thousands of young people throb into for new friendships and meaningfulness in their life. That is exactly what Voldocco meant for them. Thus every salesian community become a home, a play ground and a church where the young people find true freedom of expression. If so all our communities begin to produce saints like Dominic Savio and Michael Magone. My only wish and prayer during this Bicentenary Birth of our Founder is that by his powerful intercession all of us think twice about our Commitment to save the souls.

The challenge today is, how far are we capable, productive, faithful and successful with our Salesian work? I feel we somehow have reached a stage where the youth work became a challenge and a dream come true. I wish I am wrong making this premise. But we cannot ignore the fact.

Few Questions to Reflect...

1. In my presence do young people feel comfortable to have Voldcco Experience?

2. Do our Institutions make a ripple effect in the lives of the young people or are we just functioning like NGOs.

3. Am I a key in my community to welcome and enter into the Heart of the young.

                        

The Bi-Centinary Year of the Birth of Don Bosco (1815-2015)

St. John Bosco is one of the most daring and creative saints that the Church has ever produced. He was popular during 19^th century for his creative mission that he embarked in the Church with the slogan “da mihi animas cetera tolle” So much so he was known as the spiritual insight of a mystic, visionary and humble pioneer of the youth work during 19^th century. He was the manifestation of enthusiasm and charming personality. He was well appreciated and admired by the people of his time and even now. Therefore, we can very well say that he was much ahead of his times in thought and deed. He started his mission with a little boy, with Sign of the Cross and Hail Mary in the sacristy in Turin on the feast of the Immaculate Conception (08^th December-1841). The dream at the age of nine made him rather unclear about the mission that he would take up. It was mother Mary as his teacher and guide made all things clear to him.

Historical Context as the Key for the Mission: It was revolution period where there was no peace in Italy and surroundings of Piedmont. It was the time of terrible violence and war and so there was no haven of peace for the people. Many people spent days and nights with mere meals and left alone leaving their beloved family members dead. Therefore, it was the time of a great danger that no one could ever dare to take care of young people to support them.

At this time of historical problem where young people left like the sheep without the shepherd, exposed to all sorts of worldly dangers. There came a little boy St John Bosco, from a humble family yet profound in nature and grace who would become as the father and friend of youth. So, we believe very fervently that he was sent by God to support the young at risk and to give them work, bread and heaven.

After the Ordination, once Johny Bosco took a walk early in the morning, in the streets of Turin, in his black cassock and black hat on his head. He happened to pass through some of the isolated streets of Turin. From far away he saw a factory building where some youngsters gathered around the factory waiting for work, and some of the youngsters were waiting to be called by the owner of the factory to work and earn. Among them only few boys were called for a day work and others were left out. By looking at that incident Don Bosco’s heart was broken seeing the wretched condition of the youngsters dressed in dilapidated clothes. At the same time he was also reminded of his dream at the age of nine; then he questioned himself, was it not my mission to save them from this danger and to bring them up in life and to make them honest citizens and good Christians in the society and thus I could save their souls. He thought for a while and started calling them one by one you…come with me I will give you work, hai... you come, I will find some job for you, and you two can come, and all can come I will search for a job”.

Thus Don Bosco called each boy to come with him to win his soul and turn his unfortunate into fortunate. He looked at them compassionately and called the other to follow him. Later on children started to gather on Sunday around him. This was the turning point for his mission. He did not wait for the best time to start his mission. This reminds me of a quote: “Instead of waiting for things to be better we can decide to make them better”, that is what Don Bosco had done those days. At that time it was scandal for a priest to play with the boys on the streets, but Don Bosco did it, which was not expected of a priest. I personally believe that a person who stands aside makes the difference.   

It is mentioned in the Biographical Memories of Don Bosco, that he learnt 24 trades to teach his oratory boys, like acrobat, music, choir, shoe making, press, book binding, band etc….. It was his passion lead him to win the souls of young boys like Dominic Savio, Mickey Magone and etc., Don Bosco managed to produce saints from his place. It is often said and talked among religious and Christian families that many of the 19^th century saints lived together and played together in Don Bosco’s Oratory. Don Bosco used to say “don’t keep the boys in the chapel for a long time.” For Don Bosco’s Holiness consists in ‘cheerfulness’, like playing, running, jumping, shouting in the ground (Run, Jump, Sing but do not sin). Don Bosco fully depended on Divine –Providence,  all of his life, that is why God blessed him abundantly; those who wait on the Lord shall mount up with wings like eagles:(Isaiah:40:31) This is what happened  to Don  Bosco.

Don Bosco was lucid in his thoughts, and tenacious in his theological convictions. He was always cheerful, lively and affable, and from him exuded positive energy. He had unflinching faith in God, tender devotion to Mother Mary and a close connectivity to the people around him especially to whom he dedicated his life (YOUNG). Don Bosco said boldly to his boys that; “for you i study. for you i work, for you i am even ready to die”. He left the great legacy to the Salesian Family. Teresio Bosco sdb, in his book ‘in his footsteps’ wrote that Don Bosco acquired his sense of God and Charity from his mother, Mamma Margaret, the Saintly mother of Don Bosco, the Infant Salesian congregation was rocked in the cradle of Mamma Margaret.

Don Bosco became a successful religious trailblazer because he kept prayer as the centre of all his activities. His urge for his sons and daughters so called Salesians, FMA and all other Salesian family members, could be if I were to be…………. here and now; I would do the discos on the weekends to win the hearts and souls of the youngsters for God, and I urge you to go to the places where the young people are. Dare yourself to be different, dare to face the challenges in the situated context and mission. Let us step out from our comfortable zones, because God will not ask our abilities or disabilities but our availability. Therefore, dare to step out and say I am for you God, and ready to give up my life like Don Bosco who made the world of youth better and different from what it was. That is exactly what our Rector Major invites the Salesian with the strenn 2015...Like Don Bosco, With the Young, For the Young

May we all become innovative and spirit-filled teachers and leaders like Don Bosco, May the Bi-centenary year influence us with rich charism of Don Bosco and his passion, innovativity and above all daringly work for the welfare of youth. As a Salesians and religious, let us venture into the world of discos on weekends, where youth are found, strive ourself to save souls, especially those who are in the clutches of the evil, who are in discos, pubs and bars. Don’t you see people are waiting to be called as like Jesus calling the apostles and Don Bosco calling boys on the streets.  

“DA MINI ANIMAS CHETARA TOLE” (Give me Souls and take away the Rest). Why don’t you try to go into the discos to save the souls, after all no matter where you go but saving one soul is important for God’s Kingdom. 

GRATUITOUS GOD

Bible gives a beautiful expression to understand God’s goodness and greatness. Bible summarises saying LOVE is God and God is Love. I am sure you will agree with me and with the Psalmist who exclaims God is everything, the Alpha and the Omega. Down the history we see saints and sages living such an austere life just as an expression of their gratitude to God. Theologically we know God’s limitlessness, omnipotence, omniscience and omnipresence. All these three attributes of God are extension of God’s goodness. It is said that when we share the joy doubles. That is exactly what I feel about the generosity of God. All that we enjoy and cherish are not because we deserve, but by His sheer love, mercy and grace. The difference between the generosity of Divine and the human is immense. For, God gives us all that we need before we ask and in return he doesn’t expect anything from us unlike human generosity. Be it a mother, father, teacher or any social worker, everything is centred on some sort of selfishness. On the contrary God’s love is so much that He even gave up his son as a ransom for many. God’s nature is to give and give and unfortunately our nature is to get and forget.

 That is exactly what we here in Genesis; God created everything and made us as the crown of Creation.

Friends, given the question who is God for me, I would answer; our God is gratuitous and benevolent God. For, without His generosity I believe I am nothing. Each moment of my life is of his sheer generosity. I would like to express His generosity in terms of Mercy, Love and Providence. Mother Theresa, the saint of the poor says, “yesterday was his Mercy, Today is his Love and tomorrow will be his Providence.” Thus we completely depend on the benevolence of God. Mother Mary is the best example as she signs the Maginficat raising her voice saying “my soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my saviour.” King David sang Psalms and danced out of joy and gratitude to God for the wonders done in his life.

God’s magnanimity is so great that nothing goes unnoticed from his sight; not even the microscopic creatures. The creator is ever kind and generous although his creatures are forgetful and ungrateful despite making us the agents and the crown of creation. Dear friends at this juncture, my humble exhortation is to have the heart of mother Mary, St Francis of Assisi and Mother Theresa to raise our voice to sing Maginificat through our deeds and words. Thus we can join with his master pieces; flowers, trees, mountains, rivers, animals, sky and the earth including our fellow brothers and sisters thanking God for the wonders we see. Thus we make the age old slogan “Think green and live green” a reality.

Jesus himself sets a beautiful example as he was humble and grateful from womb to the tomb. “Learn from me for I am humble and gentle” are the golden words of Jesus and his prayer ‘Our Father’ is the joyful invitation to thank God at every moment of our life. Thus we make our life meaningful to us and to the others as we live our mission glorifying God’s goodness. St Irenius says, ‘Man/Woman who is fully alive is the glory of God.’

New face of Life...in Shillong...

As I Begin my new face of life (intense theological studies) in Shillong SHTC I thank God for all his mercy in the past, love in the present and His providence in the future. I do thank my parents, family members, relatives, all the superiors, formators, friends and all those who directly or indirectly who did contribute for my growth and for entering into my life's journey. May God continue to bless us all.

So, now I BEGIN an intense formation life in Shillong. It's my joy to come over here and continue my theological studies. I had a great desire to come to North East India and see the life, culture and the faith of the locals. I thank God for the opportunity given.

I just completed few days of my stay over north east INDIA, and am rather happy and impressed about everything.

the other things and experiences i shall recount soon...in detail.....

St Thomas an Ardent Disciple of Jesus..

Faith Entails Action

Happy Feast of St Thomas the Apostle
We know that it is through THOMAS that India became a land of Faith and Faithful. Although he was not present when Risen Jesus appeared to his fellow disciples yet when the right time came he expresses his ardent desire to see and touch the Lord. That desire was not out of shallow doubt but from his nothingness to the fullness of God. May Thomas pray and intercede for India and all the faithful....