The young people of New Delhi Province, stretching over 11 states of India, came together via digital medium to pray the novena prayer in preparation for the feast of their father and friend, Don Bosco from 22nd to 30th January, 2022. Thanks to the leadership of Fr. Deepak Kindo (Provincial Coordinator – Social Experience), which was instrumental in getting the young people from different states get connected online and pray together to God through the intercession of Don Bosco.
The persistent lockdown scenario necessitated by Covid -19 made it impossible for the young people to pray the customary nine days prayer before the feast of Don Bosco in their respective parishes and institutions. However, as the saying goes – necessity is the mother of all inventions – the young people found a way out to express their love and devotion to the man, Don Bosco, whom they love very much and came together digitally to pray the novena prayer.
The youngsters used to join for the novena prayer from their homes at 6:30 Pm every day. The notable thing was that the youngsters themselves used to lead the novena prayers. They were given a short talk based on the day’s theme by the SYM Director Fr. Deepak Kindo SDB before the start of the novena prayer.
DBYES Bariatu, being the Youth Centre of the New Delhi Province, organised Youth Mass on 31st January 2022 for the young people of the neighbouring Salesian Parishes. It was really pleasing to the heart because the Holy Eucharist on the feast day of Don Bosco was well attended and well participated. The youngsters had an opportunity to share their feelings and thoughts during the mass on the theme – what did Don Bosco mean to them. They also enumerated their experiences of meeting the sons and daughters of Don Bosco (Salesians, FMAs, SMIs, MSMHCs and other members of the Salesian Family).
The similar kind of Sharing was organised using the digital media platform too. The Youngsters from different states recorded their videos, merged them and released them on the feast of Don Bosco, via Don Bosco Bariatu YouTube channel.
The Youth Ministry department along with the Social Communication department of the province made short novena videos and released them during the novena days.
The youngsters expressed that they came to know more about Don Bosco by taking part in the novena prayer thereby increasing their love and devotion to the saint of joy. Some shared that they indeed received favours from God through the intercession of Don Bosco. Viva Don Bosco. Viva the youth of New Delhi Province.
Miss Purnima Lakra (SYM Province Secretary)
Bariatu Parish