Kolkata – Dum Dum: From 05 – 08 September 2023, the Province of Mary Help of Christians, Kolkata (INC) was blessed with the visit of our dear Mother General, Sr. Chiara Cazzuola, Superior General of the Institute, Sr. Nilza Fatima Moraes the General Councillor for the formation and Sr. Runita Borja, General councillor for Youth Pastoral. It was an added joy as FMA India is at the threshold of the historical moment of the conclusion of the centenary celebrations of the arrival of the 2nd batch of missionaries to the northern part of India.

Photos: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjAUeTq ( Flicker)

Mother General and the General Councillors were accorded a rousing welcome as they landed in Delhi at 11.30 pm, the capital of India on 04 September 2023 by Provincial Sr. Leelamma Palliparambil, the animators and sisters of the communities of New Delhi. Upon their arrival at Auxilium Vasant Vihar they were escorted by the sisters of the Delhi region and they were garlanded and taken to the chapel with a short yet meaningful prayer moment.

On the following day, 05 September Mother Chiara Cazzuola, Sr. Nilza Fatima Moraes and Sr Runita Borja were given a fitting welcome by the staff and students of Holy Child Auxilium, Vasant Vihar. They were given a guard of honour by the students of NCC, colourful welcome by the Guides and students in various attire and escorted by the NCC students to the auditorium. A musical play on the theme, ‘Praise be to you O Lord’ from the document of the church ‘Laudato si’ was portrayed. A memento of ‘Ashoka chakra’ stupa was gifted to each of them. The teachers also had their moments with La Madre and the councillors after the students’ programme.  Later on, Mother Chiara Cazzuola, Sr. Nilza and Sr Runita proceeded to Holy Child Auxilium R.K. Puram to have some moments with the community and students of the school and there too they were given an apt welcome to La Madre and to the councillors.

At 12.15 pm they continued their journey to visit the Apostolic Nuncio His Excellency Most Rev. Leopoldo Girelli accompanied by Provincial Sr. Leelamma, Sr. Teresa Adampakallel and Sr. Celine Alexander. They were warmly accosted and had a homely chat with the Nuncio. While speaking the Nuncio stressed the importance of Evangelization as the priority and he thanked the Mother General for the pastoral contribution offered by our Congregation to the Church in India.

In the afternoon La Madre met the sisters and enlightened them on the post-chapter journey and exhorted all sisters to live vocational fruitfulness by being a generative presence among the young and to live a witnessing life in the community. Sr. Gracy Parekattil accorded words of gratitude for her sharing and enriching presence. Mother Chiara presented the picture of Mary Help of Christians and a pouch each to all sisters, making the event a memorable moment in the lives of all present. La Madre also had a reflective session with the Salesian Family members of the Delhi unit. She exhorted them to walk together and build up society in the charism of our founders. The climax of the day was the Eucharistic celebration presided over by the Provincial of New Delhi, Fr. Davis Maniparamben SDB and concelebrated by 20 Salesians and participated by Sisters, Cooperators, ADMA members and Catholic past pupils. 

On 06 September, the day commenced by honouring the first missionaries and the Holy Eucharist was presided over by Most Rev. Anil J.T. Couto of Delhi Archdiocese and parish priest of St. Dominic parish. The celebrant invited the sisters not to be afraid to preach the Gospel. He also congratulated the sisters for their 100 years of success in the lives of the young and poor sections of society. Before the departure Mother General thanked the house staff for their hard work and watchfulness, making their stay comfortable. Sisters thanked La Madre for her presence and all the blessings she brought forth through her visit to New Delhi. On her, en route to the airport to proceed to Kolkata she also visited Auxilium Snehalaya at Palam Goan, the house of the young at risk.

Mother Chiara Cazzuola, was given an apt welcome on her arrival at the airport of Kolkata by the sisters of the provincial house, accompanied by Provincial Sr. Leelamma and Sr. Salomi Minj from New Delhi. On her arrival at the Provincial House, Dum Dum she was offered a traditional welcome by the past pupils from the gate to the residence. The sisters from various communities of the province, the novices and the candidates were present to offer a glorious entry to the house with various traditional gestures, well explained by Sr. Stella Potteparambil the animator of the Provincial, House, Dum Dum and she was led to the chapel with a dance by the candidates. The sisters serenaded a chirpy welcome song in the refectory for our dear Mother.

In the evening, the visit to the tomb of St. Teresa of Calcutta and the meeting with the Vicar General Sr. Christie M.C and the Secretary-General Sr. Concettina M.C of the Congregation of the Missionary Sisters of Charity was notable and stirring. Mother General in her goodnight spoke of the sacrifice and privations suffered by the first valiant missionaries which bore fruit today. The charism sown by them had born fruit in these 100 years and we have the responsibility of extending this to the future generations.

On 07 September ushered in with joy and during the morning prayer, the mother placed the symbolic Living monument in front of the altar thanking God for the gift of every sister in the province. The Holy Eucharist was celebrated by Most Rev. Thomas D’Souza, the Archbishop of Kolkata and concelebrated by our ministering priests of the parish church.  The Holy Eucharist began with an entrance procession remembering the pioneers’ and the 100 years of FMA presence in northern India with the symbol of carrying 100 lamps followed by an entrance dance to express happiness and gratitude for the 100 years of growth and vitality. During the homily, the celebrant invited the assembly to realize our identity for the Lord to work in us.

With the extravaganza of the culture of Bengal in the form of a tableau, the students of Auxilium Dum Dum welcomed La Madre and the General Councillors for a stunning felicitation and cultural show of various types of the dances of Bengal which captivated and enthralled the eyes of the audience. Finally, Mother congratulated everyone for representing the rich cultural diversity of India through the tableau and the program expressed her gratitude towards the sisters, teachers, students and their parents, and wished them a happy and good continuation of their journey. She also inaugurated the centenary memorial of the visions of Don Bosco and Mother Mazzarello at the entrance of the Provincial house.

Auxilium Convent, Barasat were simply elated to welcome La Madre and the General Councillors. They were escorted from Dum Dum by the pilot vehicle of the police of the area and the later stage motorbike procession by the past pupils of Barasat and on their arrival they were received by the band from Sikkim and by the scout team of Bandel and greeted with a flurry of colourful drill presentation by the students.

Nine schools from all over the province had gathered as one to felicitate La Mother General with exhilarating presentations. The students showcased their talents as well as the rich cultural heritage of India. The dynamic, creative and spontaneous performances elevated the entire auditorium to a mood of festivity and joy.  The Past Pupil’s Federation of the Kolkata Province also participated in this gala celebration with a lot of enthusiasm and vigour.

The audience was enthralled by the amalgamation of rich cultures that was brought about and amplified by the divine presence of Mother General, spreading the light of holiness and purity. Mother General’s words of wisdom filled everyone’s heart with motivation to carry forward the legacy. The words of Sr Runita Borja “Alone you go fast, together we go far” pierced in the bosom of every student and the day ended with a magnanimous rendezvous which shall remain a cherishable memory for everyone who was fortunate to be a part of this grand event. The tiny tots were at their best with pink and blue streamers welcoming La Madre and the General Councillors at pre-primary school, Barasat.

The next triumphant welcome was given by the formation house of the Province at Barasat where Mother met the candidates in formation, postulants, Novices and Junior sisters and exhorted them to be cheerful always and the importance of living the religious and community life.  As a parting gift, the community presented Mother with a bridge as a sign to remain always connected. On her return, she inaugurated the centenary memorial grotto dedicated to Mary Help of Christians.

On returning to the Provincial House, Dum Dum La Madre met the sisters, the animators and provincial councillors. She invited the sisters to generate life in the community, to live a life of profound spirituality, to have great faith and confidence in the Lord and to be tabernacles that carry Jesus to others. She exhorted the animators to take care of everyone, to be kind-hearted, to acquire the virtue of patience, to remain calm and serene, and to be the custodian of each sister and to be present in the life of each one.

On the last day, gratitude swelled up in the mind of everyone for our dear Mother and Sr. Nilza and for Sr. Runita, also being the birthday of our Blessed Mother. With gratitude for our Blessed Mother, La Madre offered unfading flowers to Mary, our mother. The Holy Eucharist was celebrated by Rev. Fr. Joseph Pauria SDB with other Salesians.  The Holy Eucharist began with an entrance dance and La Madre offered a bridge as a symbol of our unity in diversity in the Institute. During the homily, the celebrant highlighted the blessings brought by our Blessed Mother and encouraged the gathering to imitate Mary.

Finally, once again Sr. Stella Potteparambil expressed heartfelt gratitude to Mother General, Sr. Chiara Cazzuola, Superior General of the Institute, Sr. Nilza Fatima Moraes the General Councillor for the formation and Sr. Runita Borja, General councillor for Youth Pastoral on behalf of the province. The visit of La Madre to the province is imprinted in the memory of everyone to continue to instill hope and vivacity in the daily voyage of each sister.