On the occasion of the 150^th anniversary of the Institute of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians (FMA), on Sunday 17 July 2022, the Provincial House Community of Auxilium Convent, Dum Dum along with the Provincial Sr Leelamma Palliparambil FMA, renewed their commitment of fidelity to the call of the Lord during the Eucharistic Celebration presided over by Fr. Dominic Kishore, in the Parish of St. Patrick’s Church Dum Dum, in the presence of the parishioners, children and young people.

The worldwide Institute of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians (also known as the Salesian Sisters) celebrates its 150^th anniversary of its foundation on 5^th August 2022! This year they also celebrate 100 years of their presence in India. On this occasion they decided to renew their Religious Vows publicly in the presence of the parishioners of Dum Dum.

St. John Bosco founded the Institute as a living monument of his gratitude to Mary Help of Christians for all the graces he received through the intercession of Mary. It was founded in 1872 in Mornese, Italy, when St Mary Domenica Mazzarello, Co-foundress, with the first group of 11 young women, became Salesian Sisters in the presence of St. John Bosco, Founder. With the direct intervention of Mary Help of Christians, the Salesian charism has spread throughout the world as a gift of the Holy Spirit to the Church and the salvation of young people. They are the largest Congregation of women religious with over 11,500 Sisters around the world, serving young people, the poor, and the young at risk, in 97 countries.

The Salesian Spirit has prevailed through the times and is encompassed in Don Bosco’s Preventive System that strives to educate youngsters through Reason, Religion and Loving kindness. The 150^th anniversary of the foundation, the centenary of FMA presence in India and the 62 years of their presence at Dum Dum, were an occasion for them to renew their gratitude to God for His fidelity and to plan for the future with hope!

The 150^th anniversary is a time to be grateful for the existence of so many FMA Sisters who gave their lives until the end of their days, for the life of the numerous lay collaborators who accompanied them in the mission to the young, for the former students who brought to the world what they received in their homes and institutions, for the good and humble people of the origins who made the charismatic reality possible for them to reach out to the people of Dum Dum and around in the Don Bosco and Mother Mazzarello way.

During the holy Eucharistic celebration the Sisters and the parishioners thanked Mary Help of Christians for walking along with them as Mother and Helper, for being a living presence in their communities and pastoral ministries, for strengthening their commitment to educate the young, and be a sign and expression of God’s foreseeing love among young people.

The Sisters expressed their gratitude to the parish priest Rev. Fr. Irudayaraj, Fr. Dominic and all present for joining them to thank God and Mary Help of Christians as they renewed their Religious Profession during the Sunday’s Eucharist.

Sr Lily Perumpettikunnel FMA