“Do all through love, nothing through constraint”.
On Friday, 14th January 2022, 74 Salesian Family members of Chotanagpur region of Delhi Province belonging to various groups (Salesians, FMA, MSMHC, Disciples & Co-operators) gathered together at Don Bosco School, Gumla to celebrate the Salesian Family Day. The day began by paying a homage to St. Francis de Sales with a hymn dedicated to the Saint of Gentleness. Fr. Augustine Toppo, Rector of Don Bosco School, Gumla extended a warm welcome to all present. In his turn, Vice Provincial, Fr. Vijay Soy welcomed Fr. Davis Maniparamben, Provincial, Fr. Edward Sacrawat and Fr. Pradeep Tirkey, Councillors, Fr. Augustine Toppo, Rector of Don Bosco Gumla, Fr. Arvind Kujur, the animator for the day, with a bouquet each.
After the short introduction on the importance of the day i.e. 400th death anniversary of St. Francis de Sales, Fr. Arvind Kujur proceeded to present the Strenna of the Rector Major Rev. Fr. Angel Fernandez Artime for the Year 2022 “Do all through love, nothing through constraint”. The presentation was in Hindi as majority of the participants could follow and were comfortable with the language. Fr. Arvind was very clear and simple in presenting the Strenna of the Rector Major. After the presentation we had some time for discussion and clarification. The discussion was lively as many participants made some good interventions. It was followed by the Solemn Eucharistic celebration presided over by Rev. Fr. Davis Maniparamben, the Provincial. The day’s programme was concluded with a festive lunch.
To ensure that the members carry away something as fruit of this study and discussion on the strenna, Fr. Arvind Kujur proposed four questions for reflection:
- Knowing Sales
How much do we know about St. Francis de Sales? Strenna 2022 directs us to know and understand Sales. Let each group of Salesian Family plan a strategy to know him more.
- Promoting Christian Humanism
Suggest some ways to promote the above quality of St. Francis de Sales. How does one express love without constraint?
- Holiness of the ordinary
How do we promote spirituality of daily acts among the Salesian Family? How do we promote this spirituality among the young? Propose a plan for the year.
- Two saints, same spirituality
Suggest ways to promote spirituality of joy, friendship, sports, music, faith accompaniment from the lives of Don Bosco and St. Francis de Sales.
Basing on the above mentioned four questions, the assembly arrived at the following resolutions to implement the Strenna 2022 in our life and apostolate.
At Community level
- In year 2022-23, recollections could be organized on the spirituality of St. Francis de Sales and prepare talks/homilies on the virtues of St. Francis de Sales.
- In our settings (Schools, parishes, youth centres) organise programmes to build the faith of our youth such as Sunday class, Catechism, retreats, seminars etc.
- Rejuvenate the Preventive System of physical presence among the young at personal and community level to get to know what the young love and to promote holiness among them.
- Make a concrete effort to read the life of St. Francis de Sales and his writings personally and as a community.
At personal Level
- Consciously deepen and promote personal and family prayer.
- Cultivate the virtues lived and promoted by St. Francis de Sales and Don Bosco, particularly humility, patience and simplicity and loving kindness in our interactions and apostolate.
- We are called to carry out the responsibilities entrusted to us with love and not grudgingly.
- Be actively and creatively present in the social & print media to spread, promote and defend human and Christian values with particular emphasis on catechesis.
Sincere words of thanks and appreciation to Rev. Fr. Augustine Toppo, Rector of Don Bosco School, Gumla and the community members for organising the Salesian Family day and seeing to all the details of the celebration. Viva Don Bosco.
Fr. Vijay Soy
Fr. Ashoka Kujur ‘Chere’