by Karen Laurie
MUMBAI, MAY 26, 2018: On the feast of Mary Help of Christians, May 24, three Brothers - Chris Ferreira, Joyston Machado and Sheldon Dias - of the Salesian province of Mumbai, have dedicated their lives totally to God by making their final profession at the Shrine of Don Bosco's Madonna in Matunga.
They have spent almost seven years in formation, preparing themselves through study, prayer, community living and apostolic experience, to attain the maturity needed to make this definitive commitment, to God, of obedience, poverty and chastity.
"Pope Francis said to religious, 'Wake up the world. Be witnesses of a different kind'. The vows are impossible without a heart full of joy. By the commitement of your lives, you are telling young people that it is possible to live differently in this world," Father Godfrey D'Souza, the Provincial of the Salesian province of Mumbai, said in his homily during holy Mass.
The brothers made their perpetual profession before God, in the presence of over 25 priests, their family and well-wishers.
For Brother Chris Ferreira, who has been in formation for eight years, his perpetual profession has been the best moment of his Salesian life thus far.
During his practical training with young tribal boys in the Salesian-run boarding in Chottaudepur, Gujarat, he expereinced many fullfiling moments that strengethened his religious committement. " With the tribal boys, I went thinking I have a lot to offer them, but instead they taught me so much. They were so loving," Brother Ferreira, said.
While with the Salesian novices in Nashik, Brother Ferreira expereinced deep spiritual growth. "I could pray much better with the novices. Like Don Bosco says: 'Pray, well done with the boys is more than enough'," he said.
Brother Ferreira's journey has been at times smooth and at times turbulent. Especially trying were the times, when he could not get along with some confrers. He blessed them and was convinced that it was all taking place for his good. A change in his perspective though, changed his prospects.
Brother Ferreira joined the Salesians in standard 11 and his love for teaching and scouting is imbibed from them. Like the early Salesians, who traversed unknown places in missionary zeal, Brother Ferriera feels drawn to this way of life, but has resigned his fate to the will of God.
His 'yes' to embarking on a spiritual vocation, is in gratitude to his hardworking parents and the endearing Salesians he encountered at Don Bosco Lonavla.
Brother Joyston Machado has been in-formation for almost seven years. His tryst with the Salesians began at the Don Bosco Lonavla boarding in standard 11. He was put there because 'I was very mischevious," Brother Machado, said. "Despite that the Salesians helped me thrive."
He secured 80% in standard 12 in arts. It was to his disbelief but the complete confidence of the late Brother P M Thomas, who had secured a promise from Brother Machado, had he to get that score. Brother Thomas asked him: to continue with the Salesians. The rest, as they say, is history.
"Making perpetual vows is a big challenge. It is telling everyone that from now on, I take personal responsibility of my formation," Brother Machado, said. He now proceeds to three and a half years of Theology at Jnana- Deepa Vidyapeeth, the Pontifical Institute in Pune.
At the end of each year, he will be endowed with a ministry like acolyte, who are charged to assist priests and deacons at the altar and the ministry of lector, who are entrusted with reading from the Scriptures during liturgies.
Looking back, he says there were trying times, especially when youth- boys and girls- would dissuade him from pursuing a priestly vocation. Brother Machado is grateful to God, that he sailed against the tide.
His time at the Dominic Savio boarding in Andheri, Mumbai grounded him to reality. The michevous Brother Machado thought he could easily handle mini-versions of himself. Each day, the more he gave of himself to the little lads, the more he received from them in love and kindness.
"As I continue in my Salesian mission, there is something to hope for: to work with tribal youth; something to live for: live my Salesianity with joy; something to die for: Christ," Brother Machado, said.
Brother Sheldon Dias is a man on a mission. After his perpetual vows, he has opted for the Salesian missions and entrused his future in the hands of the Rector Major of the Salesians, Father Angel Fernandez Artime, the 10th successor of Don Bosco.
Brother Dias leaves for Rome, where he will first learn Italian, then after a prepartory course, he will be given the missionary Cross, and will be sent to a Salesian mission station, far away from home. He will learn the language and culture of the people he is placed amongst and will serve them in true Salesian spirit. He will later go on to complete his theological studies.
When his parents enrolled him at the Don Bosco Lonavla boarding in standard nine, they never envisioned this future for their son, yet they have been very supportive of giving their only son to God.
"I have always been in a Salesian school, so I am very enthused by the Salesians. I met and spoke to a Salesian priest who went on a mission to Papa New Guinea and I felt very inspired, " Brother Dias, said.
His attraction to serve in unchartered terrotories, began with his training in the missions in Gujarat, where he handled tribal boys. He lived their lifestyle and felt his contribution to their growth as the most enriching experience. Working with poor youth in a technical set up was also very satifying.
As the brothers continue to strive to priesthood, they request all to support them through prayers. In the giving of themselves to God, they can be rest assured of the prayers of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Help of Christians, Principal Patroness of the Salesian Family.