BIS #1840 PERPETUAL PROFESSIONS IN MUMBAI

Ajoy Fernandes sdb
MUMBAI, MAY 26, 2010: Nine young confreres of the Mumbai Province committed their lives in perpetuity to God’s service in the Salesian way of life as the Province witnessed their act of gratefulness to God’s call. Six of them made their Perpetual Profession at the Church of Our Lady of Dolours, Wadala on May 24, 2010. These were Clerics Charlin Chandran, Leon Cruz Ratinam, Daresh Rathwa, Rixon Nigrel, Kiran Salve and Shekar Mariadas. Clerics Pratap Damor and George D’Abreo made their perpetual profession at the Shrine of Don Bosco, Cheerapunjee on May 23, 2010. Earlier, Cl. Ashwin Mackwan made his perpetual profession in Pune a day prior to receiving his Diaconate ministry. A good number of Salesians and family members of the confreres attended the professions.
The Perpetual Professions were preceded by rich moments of preparation in order to ensure that the candidates were suitably oriented before taking this step. The preparation included a one-week program from May 7 to 14, in Pune, animated by a team comprising Fr. Michael Fernandes, Fr. Godfrey D’Souza, Fr. Godfrey D’Sa, Fr. Vincent Rasquinha, Fr. Ronald Menezes, Fr. Ashley Miranda and Fr. Ajoy Fernandes. The themes covered were Reflections on Consecrated Life based on the Scriptures, Canon Law, Tradition of the Church, Salesian Project of Life and Insights of the Social Sciences; Personalization of Formation and Drawing up a Personal Plan; and Orientation to a typical Program of formation for a Salesian student of Theology. This was topped up with a Guided Retreat in Nasik by Fr. Solomon Rapol.

The generosity manifested by our nine confreres to offer themselves to God’s service is a matter of great hope for our province as we journey in the footsteps of Don Bosco. May their labors in the Salesian Ministry bring glory to God.