140^th anniversary of the first missionary expedition of our first sisters was centered on the Holy sacrifice of the Mass. It was announcing, preparing, celebrating and living this missionary zeal and fervor. Sr. Mary sarkar had made an announcement at the parish preceding the Sunday’s celebration of this event. At the Lauds and Vespers we had reflections on the missionary expeditions that enthused in us our call to be valiant and enthusiastic to the invitation “Here I am Lord, I will go Lord, if you lead me”.

Celebration of this event was the togetherness of the entire parish   community participating in the Holy sacrifice of the Mass, where 5 Salesians of the Kalyani community including Fr. Jose Pampaddil, the former vice provincial. The Mass was solemnized through introduction, a good choir and prayers of the faithful. “Hey Angela, O Teresa ….    a song composed by Mr. Apurba Halder  from Krishnagar which the congregation sang at the end of the Mass. Fr. M.C. Francis  the main celebrant briefed us about the journey and struggles made by the first missionaries at their departure to Uruguay and the fervor, zeal, enthusiasm and courage with which they set out only to accomplish one goal: of saving souls. At the end of the Eucharistic celebration, a breakfast pack was offered to each one, sign of our joy and gratitude for joining us in this celebration. The following day the oratorians were happy to express their joy in celebrating this event.

On 5^th November 2017 St.Mary’s Convent celebrated the 140^th first missionary expedition of the FMA together with the parishioners. The celebration started with the Holy Eucharist which was presided over by Fr. Martin Lakra SDB the Rector &Principal of Don Bosco Malbasey and Fr. Walter the Parish Priest of St Mary’s Church Geyzing. In his sermon Fr. Martin highlighted the importance the missionary life. He said that we are all missionaries to spread the message of Christ. Soon after the Holy Mass a short program was presented by the boarders. The students acted out the first missionary expedition of the FMA and the parting message of Don Bosco which was given to the first Sisters. There was also a dance drama on the Gospel theme “Go to the whole world proclaim the Good News. At the end of the programme the picture of Mother Mary was given to all the parishioners.

On 11^th November2017, we started the triduum in preparation for the great celebration on 14^th of November. During the prayer moments we recalled the zeal, enthusiasm, courage and ardor of the great missionaries and we thanked God for their gift to our Institute. The short life sketches of our first heroic missionary Sisters were read. It was an opportunity for all of us to thank God for our missionary vocation.

On 13^th of November 2017, we had the vigil service. During the service different symbols such as Holy Bible which symbolizes the Word of Jesus “GO AND PROCLAIM”, Globe, the ship and the name of the six Sisters were placed in front of the altar.

On 14^th November 2017, we had the solemn Eucharistic celebration presided over by Rev.Fr.Walter Crasta, our parish Priest. The well prepared introduction put all of us in the mood of celebration. Various symbols such as – the Logo of the Institute, Globe, springs of water, six burning lamps and fruits were carried by the students towards the altar by enchanting appropriate hymns. The homily was centered on the theme “God’s marvelous deeds”. “We all are created in the image of God; we should know God’s marvelous work. Soul of the virtuous are in the hand of our God.” We salute our first Sisters for their inspiring life.

Sr. Sandhya

Commemorating the 140 years of  the  first missionary   expedition,the sisters’ and school  community  held a short celebration at the school assembly ground. To mark this event, a  short prayer service conducted by Anupriya of class XII  and the theme songs led by Sr. Francesca together with the students of class XII A and B, left us mesmerized. This was followed by Sr. Anna handing over sweet packets to the six teams of missionary groups.

Ninety seven students of class XI science, Arts and Commerce stream wearing the sashes captioned  “Missionary of Peace” were sent forth with seven teachers and three sisters on a missionary expedition to visit six villages of the vicinity. They intend to interact with  the poor families, discover their problems, offer them help and best of all invite them to the forth coming Christmas celebration at the school. This was organized to capture symbolically 140 years of the First Missionary Expedition sent to South America.

Ms.Sabita Rai

ONE WEEK MISSION…

On seventh November we started our journey,

With the words of Jesus “Whom shall I send?”

Responding to that call “Here I am Lord”,

We offered the lighted lamps as a sign of our Yes!

It was a very exciting moment for us,

As the four novices came with their act.

As we met the two Major Prophets the 1^st day,

So unique was God’s call, in His own way.

Second day the next two Major Prophets,

Then the third and fourth days; brought the Minor Prophets with their Call.

Not leaving out the missionary life lived by our sisters,

Who, brought the Salesian Spirit to our Motherland.

With vigor we started the Tridum on the11^th,

Together with our neighboring community.

At 8pm with a prayer service we inaugurated the Tridum,

Where we once again heard Jesus inviting us “Follow Me”.

Offering the different colored lamps symbolizing the five Continents,

At the feet of the Lord with their symbolic meaning.

Everyone was so enchanted with the evening,

That they thought nothing but of the Call.

Twelfth the 2^nd day of Tridum,

At 8pm we hurried to the hall.

To see the our borders performing the Call,

Their tabloo performance gave a jerk to all.

Thirteenth the last day of the Tridum; at 6.30pm we gathered again,

To feel the presence of the first missionaries sisters around us.

We relived the moments and emotions of the port of Genoa,

As we entered into the occasion’s prayer moments.

Fourteenth the much awaited day since we had the dual feast to celebrate,

The introduction, missionary with a child’s heart gave the start,

Fr. Solomon the S.J. gave a lively message,

To be a missionary always at heart.

At 2pm we went two by two as Jesus had sent out,

To bring our Oratorians from three centers.

About 105 of us came praying rosary like the missionaries,

We made that day- a day of remembrance with the short enactment;

the scene at the Port of Genoa .

The children were delighted to see and hear all that happened,

The buns and ladoos they got gave them a lot of joy.

At 5pm all left the premises to begin a legacy,

That to others they would become the missionaries of their caliber.

In this way we spend the week of mission,

Reliving the past days of vision.

With all those who would listen,

To our joyous endurance in spreading God’s Kingdom.

The Great Missionary Expedition of November 14, 1877 was celebrated at Auxilium Bandel with gratitude and fidelity. The celebration began with a morning prayer, where the brief life sketches of the six valiant missionaries were read. Indeed it was a good platform for the rest of the day with its theme ‘Go into the whole world and proclaim the Good news’

The day coincided with the children’s day celebration. The introduction to the Holy Mass highlighted the Spirit of Mornese and the Charism of St. John Bosco and St. Mary Mazzarello crossed  the ocean to an unknown new world Uruguay Latin America. The celebration reached its peak with an hour of evening prayer service. The mandate of Jesus to His disciples was enacted. This was followed by symbolic offerings of the Bible, globe, ship, a vase bearing the names of the sisters. They signified their total availability and ready for any sacrifice, even that of never returning to their home country.

St. John Bosco’s parting message to memorize and live the constitutions was also enacted. The example of Mary most Holy the first missionary was highlighted as our souls were in tuned to the Magnificat. Sr. Elizabeth Valliyil the animator’s inspiring good night thought re-enkindled in us love for the ‘missionary ad gentes’. The day ended on a joyous note with the inspiring thought ‘a missionary exists wherever a missionary heart exists’. We owe our manifestation of love for our sisters as we live our lives with gratitude, fidelity, and prophecy.

From 14 November 2016  – 14 November 2017, the yearlong preparation was done through the study of  ‘100 Question Quiz on Angela Vallese’, prepared by Sr. Mary George U. with much love and precision. Celebrating the 140^th Anniversary of the First FMA Missionary Expedition, was really a memorable day. Our Community prepared for it with a Triduum.  During the evening prayer moments we thanked God for the courage and decision of our first missionaries ‘ad gentes’. We thanked God for today’s missionary vocation to all our FMA.

On 14^th November was the climax of our celebration.  The replica of the ship was carried to the sanctuary as we began our morning prayer with such missionary fervor. We also recalled to mind our six pioneers of our Indian Missions. We sang psalms of thanksgiving and praise for the wonders the Lord has done in our Missionary Institute. During the Holy Mass, once again a short introduction was read out highlighting the importance of the day’s event for all the faithful who attend the daily Eucharist. The celebrant, Rev. Fr. Arul SSJM., centered his well prepared homily on the missionary theme and appreciated the works of the FMA in times past as well as today, in the footsteps of our Founders.

This memorable day reached its highest peak, when in the evening our Community joined yet another celebration at Auxilium, Barasat. We entered the PORT GENOA and met the real replicas of the First six FMA Missionaries in the persons of our candidates who enacted the scene and took us all in spirit to that far away distant mission land, Montevideo – Uruguay.

O what wonderful day !!!!!         Day we shall never forget !!!!!!!

Reported by Sr.Emilia Vas

Dum Dum