BIS #5668 MUMBAI SALESIANS GET STARTED WITH PC 2019

by Father Christopher George

MUMBAI, OCT 12, 2018: The Salesians of the Mumbai Province met on October 11, 2018, at the Don Bosco Provincial House Matunga, Mumbai for the first session of the Provincial Chapter 2019. The large gathering of the capitulars, including the ex-officio members, the moderator, the rectors, the elected local delegates, the province delegates, and three representatives added up to a grand total of 69.

Commencing with the Holy Eucharist in the relic crypt of the Shrine of Don Bosco’s Madonna, the capitulars implored the grace and good counsel of the Holy Spirit. The principal celebrant Father Godfrey D’Souza, Salesian Provincial Mumbai, was assisted by Father Wyman Gonsalves, the Chapter Moderator, Father Charles Anthony who celebrated his birth and Deacon Rudolf D’Souza.

The capitulars then gathered in the auditorium of the Don Bosco Provincial House, beginning the session aided by visual prayer ‘You’ll never walk alone,’ animated by Father Vinod Mascarenhas. The immediate formalities of the roll call and the presidential address by Father D’Souza set the ball rolling.

Interspersing his address with pertinent quotes from St. Pope John XXIII, the convocation letter of the Rector Major of the Salesians, Father Ángel Fernández Artime and referring to the key topics to be discussed, Father D’Souza invited the capitulars to reflect deeply on the theme ‘What kind of Salesians for the youth of today?’ and prayed that the capitulars may be guided by the Spirit of God, before declaring the Provincial Chapter 2019 officially open.

The Chapter Moderator, Father Wyman Gonsalves presented the evaluation of the previous Provincial Chapter Lines of Action, beginning with the song ‘Why can’t I change’ which inspired him no end during the process of the evaluation collation.

The Guest Speaker for the day, Father Clive Telles, the Chapter Moderator for the PC 2019 of the Salesian Province of Panjim made a reflective presentation inviting the capitulars to “not only work under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, rather to be filled with the Holy Spirit, giving up mixed feelings, becoming personally accountable.”

Elaborating with youth feedback visuals gathered from around the Mumbai Province settings, Father Telles dwelt on the element of understanding, the contrasts and the clarion call from the voices across the province. He beseeched the capitulars to “not just begin and work to prepare another document, but instead creatively engage with each other to produce a model of futuristic Salesian work in South Asia.

Thereafter, the capitulars met together in their respective commissions to draw up a timeline of the scheduled programme of work, reflection, and collation following the listening, interpretation and choice model.

Finalising the way ahead, the capitulars vowed to listen, interpret and accompany the youth and lay who say ‘Sir give me this water’, hoping and praying that this PC 2019 may be a revolutionary road to a better Salesian ethos in the western region of India.