Mother Yvonne Visits Auxilium –Promotional Centre, Barasat

INC AYM Youth Fest 2018 at Auxilium, Barasat at a glance

On 29^th January 2018, Auxilium Bandel witnessed the history created on the soil of Auxilium as Rev. Mother General Mother Yvonne Reungoat set her footsteps in Bandel. It was an auspicious day marked with honour and pride to be able to welcome Rev. Mother General, Sr. Rose Ezarath Provincial, Sr. Runita Borja, General Councillor for Youth Pastoral and Sr. Alaide Deretti, General Councilor for Mission, to Auxilium which was decked radiantly in glory and bliss for the event.

As the chilly winter morning transitioned into a lukewarm midday, Mother made her gracious and loving presence felt with a warm smile. Sisters, teachers and students of ACB were already present at the blue gates of the school to give her a hearty welcome. Sr. Elizabeth Valliyil, the Animator of the community garlanded her amidst the sound of blowing conches, all of which reminded the serene and pure tradition of Bengal. The students of Classes IX & XI adorned themselves in ethnic Bengali attire making a passageway for the dignitaries. They were at first escorted to the school chapel, ACB guides group marching to the beats of the drum. On her way to the chapel, Mother met the tiny tots of the Primary school who received her with waving of balloons.

After a brief encounter with God in the Chapel together with the Catholic students and some refreshments she was escorted to the open stage by Rev. Sr. Superior and community and was welcomed by the Sisters with bouquets and Uttorio. Sr. Superior delivered the Welcome Address and the students greeted her with a melodious song. The programme then continued with an exuberant and colourful performance by the classical dancers. It was followed by a vibrant show of mass drill by the students of the middle school.

Mother General in her message to the students said, “You are the joy of our life. You fill my heart with great hope for the future”. She spoke words of appreciation and encouragement for the Sisters, Educators and students of the school. She inspired the students to be happy and in the process spread happiness following the footsteps of our Founder St. John Bosco and co-foundress St. Maria Domenica Mazzarello. Provincial Sr. Rose Ezarath, Sr. Eizabeth Valliyil, Sr. Regina Joseph, Teachers and school captains accompanied Mother  to the far end of the field, where she planted a sapling which symbolized life and hope for the days to come. The programme concluded with a vote of thanks by the Principal Sr. Regina Joseph.

As the day progressed, the teachers of ACB felt honored and blessed to share a few moments with Mother General in the School AV Room. On behalf of the teaching faculty, Ms. Kamal greeted her heartily with words of welcome. The Teachers joined in singing “Anonda Loke, Mongola Loke…”, a brilliant composition by the Nobel Laureate, the Bard of Bengal, Rabindranath Tagore. Mother Yvonne Reungoat spoke words of motivation saying that education is the base of the present and future and it is the greatest mission that exists in the world. Before bidding goodbye, Mother gifted every teacher with a bookmark and a key chain and embraced everyone with a warm smile. The teachers were served delicious food packets for lunch.

During the family meal, Sr. Soumya and Sr. Nancy of the Missionary Sisters of Mary Help of Christians (MSMHC) expressed their joy in encountering Mother Yvonne with bouquets and Uttorio.

In the afternoon, Mother Yvonne accompanied by Provincial Sr. Rose Ezarath, Sr. Runita Borja, General Councillor for Youth Pastoral and Sr. Alaide Deretti, General Councilor for Mission, Sr. Elizabeth Valliyil, Sr. Annie Thevarkunnel and Sr. Regina Joseph, the Principal visited the Don Bosco Seminary and the Shrine of Our Lady of Bandel. On her arrival she was welcomed by the Rector of the Don Bosco Seminary Fr. Antony Earathara SDB, the Salesians and the Seminarians. Mother General was accorded a warm welcome with songs and bouquet of flowers. Mother Yvonne spoke to the boys on the importance of the call and exhorted them to encounter Jesus and to keep alive the gift of the call. She reminded them of the importance of being always cheerful. “Be open to the formators and let the formators guide you”, she told them.  After a sumptuous, high tea, Fr. E.J. Antony the Rector and Fr. Francis Thathhenkery the Prior accompanied her and others to the Shrine and explained the history of the Bandel Church and the story of Our Lady of Happy Voyage. With a note of joy, at the close of the day Mother said:  “I had a beautiful day and I experienced the warmth of the Salesian Family Spirit”.