BIS #2885 SALESIAN PAST-PUPILS FROM VASAI DIOCESE THANK THE RECTOR MAJOR

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BOSCO INFORMATION SERVICE #2885

SALESIAN PAST-PUPILS FROM VASAI DIOCESE THANK THE RECTOR MAJOR

Chris Valentino 

ROME, MARCH 30, 2011:  The Salesian past-pupils of Vasai-Virar wishing to express their gratitude to Fr. Pascual Chavez - Rector Major of the Don Bosco Salesian Society, for enabling the pilgrim Relic of Don Bosco to visit the Vasai Diocese, presented him with a replica of the Papdy Cathedral. Representing the past-pupils, Fr Robert Pen - Principal of DivyaDaan-Salesian College of Philosophy, and a native of Vasai-Virar presented this token of gratitude to the Rector Major on March 24, 2012 at the Salesian Generalate in Rome.


Dating back many decades, Vasai`s romance with Don Bosco is legendary. Don Bosco is a household name in Vasai and the region has contributed many vocations to the Salesian Congregation in Mumbai. This grateful appreciation to the Rector Major is because, initially Vasai did not feature on the original itinerary drawn up for the visit of the pilgrim Relic. It was through the personal request of Archbishop Felix Machado of Vasai that the Saint`s Relic finally made its way there. ``Vasai has great devotion to Don Bosco, it is unthinkable that he will not be visiting us, `` Archbishop Machado had insisted.


The Salesian past-pupils of the Vasai region had spearheaded the splendid execution of the event. They had also proposed the formation of a unit of the Salesian Co-operators. On August 11 2011, the Cathedral of Our Lady of Grace at Papdy witnessed a historic event, with Archbishop Machado as the principal celebrant and fifty other priests concelebrating, with even the adjoining school grounds unable to contain the massive turnout. ``Youth are a precious part of our society and we need to learn from Don Bosco how to help them become good Christians and honest citizens, so that they can be the future pillars of the Church and the society,``Archbishop Machado had said.


The Salesians and the Salesian Family keep passionately alive the legacy and mission of Don Bosco in Vasai. This token of gratitude by the Salesian past-pupils is one such singular gesture of a heart overflowing with sincere gratitude. Fr. Chavez accepted the token of gratitude, expressing surprise saying ``I am overwhelmed. Thank you dear past-pupils and God bless you. ``

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