On the solemnity of Mary Help of Christians, 24th May, 2022, four young Salesians Cl. Ankit Xalxo, Cl. Prakash Mallick, Cl. Abhay Kiran Minj and Cl. Robin Thomas took their final vows as Salesians in the shrine of Mary Help of Christians, Kuarmunda, Odisha. The solemn pronouncement of the vows took place during the Holy Eucharist presided over by Fr. Davis Maniparamben, Provincial of New Delhi in the presence of Fr. Vijay Soy, Vice Provincial, Fr. HilariusKullu, Rector and Parish of Kuarmunda, Fr. Pradeep Tirkey, Provincial Councillor and several other Salesian priests, brothers, teachers, friends, five hundred school boys and girls, central committee members of Catholic Sabha, Mahila Sangh and Youth of the parish and other religious from the neighbouring communities. The day was made memorable for the young Salesians with the presence of their parents and other relatives.
The Holy Eucharist commenced at 9.00 am with the entrance dance performed by lady teachers of English and Odiya medium schools, Kuarmunda. They also sang for the Mass and performed the offertory dance. Fr. Davis Maniparamben, Provincial, in his homily underscored the significance of religious life and the role of Mother Mary as helper in the Church and in the lives of the religious. He also officiated at the rite of Perpetual Profession and received the vows of the brothers.
Soon after the Mass, the perpetually professed brothers were felicitated through a colourful cultural programme comprising of songs, dances, words of encouragement by Fr. Provincial and others. The central committee members of Catholic Sabha, Mahila Sangh and Youth of the parish congratulated the brothers with songs. Once again, the teachers of the two schools played an important part. They performed prayer dance and enlivened the occasion with another beautiful dance. The programme ended with the agape meal at about 1.00 pm
The final profession of the vows at Kuarmunda was preceded by three days of spiritual preparation for brothers at Jharsuguda by Fr. Mathai, Bro. Simon and Fr. Linus Francis Lakra, Rector of Jharsuguda. The brothers also were provided with the opportunity to approach the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
Fr. Samir Tirkey SDB