Auxilium Parish celebrates the Bicentenary of Don Bosco

 By Isaac Harold Gomes

Kolkata - On 16 August 2015 Auxilium Parish Kolkata celebrated the Bicentenary of the Birth of St John Don Bosco with a solemn concelebrated Eucharist at 8.30 am.  The main celebrant was Fr Maria Arokiam Kanaga – Regional Salesian Councillor for South Asia.

The Mass began with a traditional welcome dance by Hindi Community mothers (see video below), coupled with another dance by the Youth Vice President Deepanjali Sarkar and her young brigade.

In his homily Fr Maria said 16 August 2015 was a very special day which comes only once in 200 years.  He divided his homily into three parts: (1) Jesus (2) Don Bosco (3) Ourselves. 

He said Jesus was as the Son of God was always childlike.  This attitude of his was expressed in his love for children – he would always like to be with children and his love for his Father, ABBA.  Till his last breath on the cross he showed his love for his Father saying “'My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?' Then Jesus, crying with a loud voice, said, 'Father, into your hands I commend my spirit' and breathed his last.

St Don Bosco too was like Jesus in his dealing with children particularly the youth.  Adolescence can be a very volatile period for the youth but St Don Bosco preferred to take up the challenge to work with adolescents many of whom came up in life and became Salesian Cooperators. Don Bosco who lost his father at a very early age, looked upon Mother Mary, the symbol of parents, for all his problems.  He also produced many saints who grew around him.

About ourselves each of us has the capability to become a saint.  For this we must always be happy which is not easy.  Fr Maria said Don Bosco would be happy only if we strive for sainthood.

Fr John Chalil, Parish Priest, summed up by words of praise for the Youth Group who organised the whole Eucharist and the Choir very well.   

Antoinette Kwan reported from Nitika that there was a programme for children where each child was asked to draw Don Bosco.  Their drawings were displayed. 

View Video: Moments from the celebration - dance (Video by Isaac Harold Gomes)

This drawing is of great significance as it (picture of Don Bosco with words alongside) has been drawn by one Ms Reshma Khatoon who is a night school student at Nitika and is studying in Class XII.  It is praise of Don Bosco from a member from another religious community. 

(Contributed by Antoinette Kwan)