by Angel Abraham and Alan D'silva
MATUNGA-MUMBAI, FEBRUARY 3, 2015: As part of the bicentenary celebrations, the entire Salesian Family of the Mumbai province including students from various Salesian institutes, 
religious, past pupils, benefactors and other faithful gathered together at Don Bosco, Matunga on January 31, 2015.
religious, past pupils, benefactors and other faithful gathered together at Don Bosco, Matunga on January 31, 2015. The event began by Fr. Ian Doulton sdb welcoming His Eminence Cardinal Oswald Gracias who was also the main celebrant for the Eucharistic celebration for the evening. He then introduced the troupe that was going to perform a tableau based on the life of Don Bosco directed by Fr. Charles Vaz svd.
The tableau encapsulated the life of Don Bosco through various landmark events of his life. It was a well enacted performance both in the delivery of dialogues and the songs. The stage was then prepared for the Eucharistic celebration. The Cardinal along with the Salesian Provincial Fr.Godfrey D'Souza Vice- Provincial Fr. Ajoy Fernandes, Fr. Chrys Saldanha, Fr. Edwin D'souza and sixty other concelebrants entered in procession to the altar as the choir from Divyadaan sang the entrance hymn.
In his homily, the Cardinal acknowledged the work of Don Bosco and thanked the Salesians for all the efforts they put in towards the development of the young. The youth of the Don Bosco Youth Services animated a special prayer of the faithful and offertory procession. Before the final blessings, Fr. Edwin took the opportunity to propose a vote of thanks and appreciated all those who helped in the preparation, organization and funding of the event.
On this festive occasion the Salesians launched a book authored by Fr. Chrys Saldanha titled 'Exploring Salesian Life Today'. The Cardinal presented a copy of the same to the Provincial, Fr. Chrys and Sr. Wilma de Souza the Provincial of FMA sisters. After the final blessings the congregation moved in procession with the statue of Don Bosco around the campus. The traditional grams were and a packet of refreshments were served to all.