FEAST OF ST JOHN BOSCO AT SUMEDHA

The feast of St. John Bosco on Jan 31 was celebrated with added splendor this year, being the bicentenary year of his birth.

Johnny Bosco was born on the 15^th of August 1815 in the hamlet of Becchi, northern Italy. His parents were Francisco and Margaret. His father died when little Johnny was two years old.

Despite great poverty and many difficulties in the family Johnny grew up to be a great priest and saint, founder of two of the largest religious congregations in  the Church – the Salesians of Don Bosco and the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians and inspired the foundation of several other congregations, belonging to the vast Salesian Family.

The celebrations at Sumedha had been meticulously planned and organized by Fr. George Malayil, the Administrator with the help of the parish priest Fr. Johnny, the sisters from the two next-door convents, the parish council and the girls from St. Anthony’s hostel.

The day turned out to be bright & beautiful. Holy Mass started at 10.30 am and got over at 12. There were 10 priests (diocesan and religious)  to concelebrate with the newly consecrated Bishop of Bareilly, Most Rev Ignatius D’Souza.

It was a privilege to have Bishop Ignatius honouring the celebrations with his presence and presiding at the Eucharist. He gave an inspiring homily on Don Bosco about his love for young people and their love for him.

There were about 40 Sisters, several members of the parish and choir girls from St. Anthony’s convent school.

After the Mass a delicious cake was cut and a sumptuous lunch followed. Our cook Punita Kujur and & her culinary team did a fantastic job preparing the delicious meal.

Fr. Jose Parappully, Director of Sumedha, was away in Thailand facilitating a one-month programme on “Renewing Consecrated Life: Journeying TogetherToward Wholeness.”

He joined the celebration of Don Bosco’s feast at the Salesian Novitiate (Ricaldone) at Samphran. There was a solemn Holy Eucharist in the evening, followed by dinner. There were about 300 people – priests, religious, candidates to religious life and mostly lay people.