Long Live Don Bosco!

Youth Gather

Long ago in 1815, in a shed a boy was born, destined to be liberator of the world’s abandoned youth. From the day of his birth to the day of his burial in 1888, Don Bosco’s life was a colourful saga of extraordinary achievement through dedication, hard work and trust in God, all directed to the well being of his young people. The year 2014-2015 began with great pomp and joy as the Salesian Family celebrated the Bicentenary Year of the Birth of our father and founder, Don Bosco. The concluding days of this year saw a lot of activity all over the world, beginning from his very birthplace. Here in India too, Don Bosco’s followers were one with those in Turin through various activities. Here are some of the Festive activities that marked the ending of the Bicentenary celebrations in Nashik - Maharashtra.

Marian Academy

On the 8^th of August, all over India in selected cities, the Don Bosco Bi-centenary International Short Film Festival of India was held. Nashik was one of the proud selected cities. Out of the 20 chosen short films, 10 were screened for children, youth, parents and the religious. Each film had a beautiful message to offer to all young and old. This short film festival was focused on bringing to the front light, the great virtues that Don Bosco stressed upon in a visual form.

On the 15^th of August the community of Divyadaan organized a day for the youth of Nashik with the theme: ‘Youth - the Shapers of Tomorrow’. Through the screening of the film on Don Bosco, interactive sessions and knowledge filled talks by Fr. Kenneth Pereira SDB and Fr. Robert Pen SDB, the youth were helped to  realize their role as the makers of world tomorrow by beginning to live their today's in the best way possible.

Youth Gather

On the same day after the evening Eucharist, in the Don Bosco Parish, a Marian Academy was organized in honor of Mary and as a way to conclude the Bicentenary celebrations in the Parish. Different religious communities and parish zones put up dances, songs, skits, etc. in honor of Mary and Don Bosco. It was truly a heart touching scene to see young and old on the stage enthusiastic like Don Bosco, honoring Mary and showing her their love and admiration.

On the 16^th of August, the great day of celebration, we in SHTC concluded this memorable year with a beautifully animated prayer service, taking us on a journey from Don Bosco’s birth through the very core of his spirituality which can be applied to any setting, not only Christians.

As we conclude this remarkable year of history in the life of the Salesian Family, we thank God for gifting us in Don Bosco, a father and friend. May the celebration of this year not end with August 16^th, but help his followers to reincarnate his spirit and charism to become signs and bearers of God’s love for all young people.

Marian Academy

Marian Academy

We Celebrate Don Bosco

Let us celebrate together, thanking God for Don Bosco our Father,

For the gift he is to each of us, with grateful hearts our praises we sing.

The Bicentenary of our Father and Founder’s birth, is not just a passing event, it is something that should leave a deep and lasting impression on us. WE CELEBRATE DON BOSCO is the theme as well as logo that stands out in the chapel of the Novitiate at Nasik, to mark this great year. The year began with an inaugural prayer service which both the Maria Vihar and Novitiate communities celebrated together on the 16^th of August 2014. As a community, we at SHTC have taken up different initiatives to keep up the whole year. Every 30^th / 31^st is Don Bosco’s commemoration, and we celebrate it with animated meditations, rosaries and prayers. We have taken up the deep study of Don Bosco’s Dream of the Ten Diamonds. The flex marking this solemn year is displayed at the entrance of the Novitiate for all to see. Every day for the visit to the Blessed Sacrament, we have the ‘Prayer to St. John Bosco’  prayed together. 

For the community gratitude day on the 16^th October the novices staged a musical Don Bosco and the young, fruit of their effort. The novices attend classes on Salesian spirituality and have also attended many other seminars till now in keeping with the celebration of the bicentenary. In other words, this year will not just be remembered but fondly cherished by the Novitiate community as a year of great learning of the spirituality of our dear St. John Bosco.