by Cl. Ryan Lobo
JHABUA-MADHYA PRADESH, JULY 23, 2014: The inaugural day of the Marian Month at Jyoti Bhavan Hostel, Jhabua was July 17, 2014. The day began with a solemn Eucharist celebrated by Fr. 
Pratap Damor, the Prefect of Studies of Jyoti Bhavan Hostel. The boys were reminded in the words of Don Bosco that every child who entered a Salesian House was brought in by our lady. During the Eucharist they also prayed for their own Mothers' in a special way. Fr. Sonu Vasuniya, the Youth Director of Jhabua Diocese was also present for the ceremony.
The inauguration began in the evening with the boys sitting in their teams singing hymns to our Blessed Mother. The lamp was lit by Frs. Sonu and Pratap along with the boarding captain and six house captains. 
Fr. Pratap then solemnly cut the ribbon and declared the Marian Month for the year 2014 open. He also introduced the boys to the theme 'May Mother Mary be always in our heart'. He wished the boys a month full of fun and frolic. He said that their devotion to our Blessed Mother would increase only if they fervently prayed the Rosary daily and always kept the weapon of protection the scapular with them.
It was also a significant day as the leaders of Jyoti Bhavan took the oath in the presence of Mother Mary. They were then felicitated by their honorable chief guest Fr. Sonu. He spoke about how they could be one family having Mary as their Mother. The beautiful and pious ceremony came to a fitting end by praying for their intentions and a melodious singing of the Marian anthem. The boys were then told to write their intentions and hang them on the intention tree and also write Letters to Mother Mary. They hoped that the Marian Month which was to be occupied with prayer and various activities would bring them closer to our Lady and strengthen the bonds of unity and togetherness in the family of Jyoti Bhavan Hostel, Jhabua.