24 July 2022, was an auspicious day at Auxilium Aspirantate, Bamunmura, as the five young women officially began the journey to become Daughters of Mary Help of Christians, when the Institute is celebrating the 150th year of its foundation on 5th August 2022, and the centenary of the FMA presence in India. We thank God for the gift of these young courageous women who hail from the states of Jharkhand, Odisha, Meghalaya, and Rourkela. The simple celebration of the donning of the medal of Mary Help of Christians and Don Bosco is a symbol of belonging to the Institute.
Provincial Sr. Leelamma Palliparambil exhorted them in the following words: “The God who has called you will be with you. Mother Mary who has chosen to be her daughter will lead and guide you. Be happy in your choice to give yourself totally for the Lord.” She offered them a statue of Mother Mary inviting them to resemble Mother Mary at all times. The presence of sisters from the neighboring communities of Kolkata added joy to the celebration. The felicitation by the Aspirants gave them the courage to embark on the journey of formation with the words “I have called you by name you are mine.”
The Retreat for the aspirants was held in the Aspirantate – Bamunmura from 20-23 July 2022. Rev. Fr. Robi Sarkar SDB, preached the retreat on the theme “: “God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong.” 1 Corinthians 1:27. Provincial Sr.Leelamama Palliparambil exhorted the 35 candidates to spend the days in close intimacy with Jesus. One of the aspirants says, “We began our retreat with much enthusiasm and in the Spirit of recollection. It was a wonderful experience for all of us to spend our time with the Lord praying and reading the word of God”.
On the first day, of the retreat, the talks and prayer moments were based on the topic “God’s call”. We considered our call which was given to each one of us in different forms, of our lives. Whether it is in Religious life or in marriage, it is a call to which each one of us had to respond; and remain faithful until the end of our lives. Every day our day ended in the adoration to the Blessed Sacrament which we were helped to spend fruitfully.
At the end of the retreat, this is what echoed from the aspirants: “It was simply a wonderful experience for each one of us. We praised God, thanked God, and made petitions to God. We were helped to be reconciled with God and to one another. We were helped to forgive others. After being reconciled with God we were helped to make our resolutions, how we could grow deeper in our loving relationship with Jesus”.
As we concluded the retreat Fr. Robi reminded us that our spiritual retreat began the day we ended. So, all of us have started our journey with the Lord in earnestness and enthusiasm to be faithful to Him, who loves us and cares for us.
On the occasion of the 150th 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 150th anniversary of its foundation on 5th 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 150th 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 150thanniversary 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.
“In every age there have been men and women who devote themselves to Christ with an undivided heart in order to be with him and to put themselves at the service of God and humanity.” (Vita Consacrata)
On 30th May, 2022, the Community of Auxilium – Dum Dum celebrated the Silver Jubilee of the Religious Profession of Sr. Minimol Chettayil FMA, the Provincial Secretary. The community rejoiced with her for the wonders God has accomplished in and through her. The beautiful white roses in the chapel with their silver lining and the wreathes hanging in the dining room- all creative ideas of our dear Sr. Stella gave an exuberant welcome to all the guests. The celebration began with a Solemn Holy Eucharist at 11 a.m. Rev. Fr. Dominic Gomes, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Kolkata along with Rev. Fr. I.C. Jacob SDB, Provincial Secretary, and four other concelebrants officiated the Holy Eucharist. The entrance dance by the young Catholic girls of our school with their rhythmic steps ushered the celebrants, the jubilarian, Provincial and Sr. Stella to the altar. After a short introduction to the celebration the Jubilee bells chimed. The presence of many sisters of our neighbouring communities, Salesian Family members, SMI, MC Brothers and sisters, Ursuline Sister, Past Pupils, teachers and youth made this event a grace filled and joyful one for our jubilarian. The main celebrant Rev. Fr. Dominic Gomes in his homily highlighted the Bible quotation “Be not afraid, I go before you always…” the persistent phrase of Sr. Minimol in her 25 years which led her through. He assured that the Lord truly walks ahead of every event and every situation in our life and brings us out into safety and crowns it all with success. On this great occasion Sr. Minimol renewed her religious vows before the community and was felicitated with a garland by Sr. Provincial and adorned with a Silver Crown by the celebrant Rev. Fr. Dominic Gomes. After the Eucharistic celebration Sr. Minimol expressed words of gratitude to the celebrants and all well-wishers for their presence and the support of every one’s prayers. Everyone then proceeded to the dining hall where the Jubilarian was felicitated and congratulated with songs and dances and concluded with a sumptuous meal well served. This day will be remembered as a unique one by the Jubilarian and by all who cherish it.
On 26 May 2022, once again, the Salesian Sisters of Kolkata Province exults in joy for the gift of Sr. Ranjita Nayak and Sr. Suzan Maria Louis who committed themselves in perpetuity to the Lord at the Basilica of the Holy Rosary, Bandel.
The Holy Eucharist was presided over by Most Rev. Thomas D’ Souza, the Archbishop of Kolkata along with other con-celebrants. Archbishop started his homily highlighting the importance of the forthcoming synod and reminding the assembly that we are pilgrims, journeying towards our heavenly home and we are a family of communion. Basing on the reading of the occasion he stated that the vocation to be religious is not received due to one’s own merit but God’s love for us, his great compassion for the humanity. In the book of Jeremiah the Lord has promised His everlasting love for the humanity. Finally, he invited the sisters to be effective models to the young people after the example Don Bosco and Mother Mazzarello keeping in mind their motto of the profession: ‘Called to Love, Send forth to Serve’.
The presence of the parents and relatives of the professed sisters, the religious, friends, the Salesian cooperators and the students brought color and delight to the celebration. The Eucharistic celebration was followed by felicitation and a fraternal meal.
As the Institute celebrates the 150th Anniversary of its foundation; the Province of Kolkata rejoices and thanked God for the gift of our six sisters who made their first profession at Mazzarello Convent Ranchi, on 24 May 2022. The FMA India, commemorates, the centenary of the arrival of the first missionaries in India in 2022. In the year 1922, the six missionaries arrived in India, and it is a coincidence that six sisters Sr. Alice Rosline Tirkey, Sr. Elina Minj, Sr. Neha Beck, Sr. Neha Lucy Kujur, Sr. Nayna Agatha Kujur and Sr. Ursula Kujur made their first profession in Mazzarello Convent, Sahera Ranchi with their motto: Chosen to love, serve and generate life. The Holy Eucharist was presided over by Most Rev. Felix Toppo, SJ, the Archbishop of Ranchi along with other con-celebrants. During his homily he highlighted Jesus as an obedient Son of the Father who gave himself for the humanity. He offered his body mind and soul to his father to fulfill his Father’s glory. Therefore, our only desire should be to sacrifice to God. He invited the newly professed sisters to be the glory of the Church. The presence of the parents and relatives of the professed sisters, the religious, friends and the past pupils and the class mate of the professed sisters added joy to the celebration. The Eucharistic celebration was followed by felicitation and a fraternal agape.
The Province of FMA INC joins the FMA world to celebrate the feast of Gratitude 2022 to say ‘Thank you to Mother Chiara’ the Superior General of the Institute of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians on 24, 25, 26 April 2022 in Turin, Mornese, Nizza Monferrato.
On 9 February 2022 I had a beautiful experience with Pietro Lozzia who had lost his pet cat named Perla. This made him very sad that for five days he had not slept well. As usual on that day after lunch my companion and I went for a walk and on entering we found a notice on the gate written “A cat is lost. The one who finds it kindly contact the following number”. When we entered inside the gate, lo and behold, we found a cat sleeping under a bush. Immediately I took a photo of the cat and sent it to that number. Surprisingly within two minutes Pietro, almost restless, reached Auxilium with a basket. He was so mad for the cat that he did not even wait to open the gate but just jumped over the wall and snatched it away.
On the next day, i.e. Friday, he sent me a message saying that the cat brought back his life, joy and happiness. So, he asked me to meet him personally to thank me and he gave his house number (his house is very close to Auxilium). Instead I requested him to come to the convent on Sunday for Mass and after that I could meet him. On that Sunday we began a dialogue and I came to know that for so many years he had not gone to the church and now he feels unworthy to enter the church. He even felt that if he goes to the Church the Lord may drive him away. At this point, I being a student of Catechesis and Youth Pastoral, took advantage to teach him some Catechism. He was truly open and the Lord entered into his life. My message to him was: “Human beings are more valuable than animals; the Lord loves you unconditionally” and I assured him of my prayers. He was moved by our encounter. To my surprise, it worked and the Lord touched his heart and he agreed to come again on the following Sunday. So, on the following Saturday after Mass, I spoke to Fr. Francesco Motto SDB, who was supposed to come for Mass on Sunday for the parishioners. I told him about this young man and Father agreed to meet him. Since Pietro is working on Sundays he could not reach on time but as soon as he finished his duty he came along but he reached after Holy Communion. After mass I invited him to pray and then directed him to the priest.
After their long conversation, both of them came out happy and Father wanted to know my name and from where I was. He said, “sorella, brava! tu hai fatto un grande lavoro”. To this I affirmed, “Il Signore è più grande”. Pietro then spoke up, “It was the Lord who wanted me to return to the church, the cat was only a means for me to return to Him”. He went back home happily with a desire to show himself again on the following Sunday.
The annual Provincial Team meet was held from 11-13 February 2022 at Auxilium Dum Dum, Provincial House to draw up the provincial project and program for the coming year. 13 members participated. Sr. Lily Perumpettikunal the general coordinator of the province gave a warm welcome to all especially to the new team members of different sectors. The introductory talk was delivered by Rev Sr. Leelamma Palliparambil the Provincial. She thanked the sectors for carrying out their responsibilities faithfully and encouraged the members to do everything with love and nothing through constraint. She invited everyone to be with Mary a life-giving presence.
Thereafter the general coordinator guided the team members in the planning and programming. The sectors presented their reports and planned for the future. The members showed keen interest in this important task and each one gave her rich contribution in planning the project and program for the year 2022-2023. The members then presented the well-defined provincial project and the calendar and the sector plans to the provincial and the provincial secretary and got their approval. The members thanked Sr. Provincial for her wise guidance and also proposed the vote of thanks to Sr. Lily for her continual guidance and support.
FMA INC News Update 