Sr Nirmala Lazar, FMA Provincial –
The mega centenary three-year celebrations of the Figlie di Maria Ausiliatrice or the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians (FMA), fondly known as Salesian Sisters of Don Bosco, to mark the arrival of the six pioneer European Missionaries concluded on September 3.
The European missionaries who set their foot for the first time on 22 November 1922 in Tanjore, which is in the present southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu. The advent of six Salesian Sisters in the pre-independence era in 1922, at the then Tanjore Chennai, indeed was the year of a door opening for the mission. Since then, the congregation has grown from strength to strength spreading all over India.
It was indeed a happy conclusion of the memorable centenary mega celebrations of FMA India and INM Province from 31 August to 4 September 2022. The highlight of the celebrations was the visit of the head of the institute Mother General Rev Sr Chiara Cazzuola accompanied by the two general councillors Sr Runita Borja and Sr Ruth del Pilar Mora. Their stay was indeed a significant milestone in the annals of its Province. The South Asia region also received Rector Major, Fr. Ángel Fernández Artime, for the celebrations to mark the centenary of the FMA presence in India.
They arrived from Bombay and were given a warm and affectionate welcome inside the Chennai Airport at 11.30 a.m., along with the airport officials inside and outside with the educating community members. As they entered the Provincial House at Kodambakkam, the Fatima school students, Marialaya children from Nandambakkam and Hostellers from Our Lady’s Centre lined up from the gate to the portals of the convent greeting them with glittering pom poms and waves of scalloped shining netted cloth. The provincial councillors and the animators of the Chennai zone expressed their joyous welcome by donning the garland, ponnadai (shawl) and the students by their rhythmic dance and song and arathi (a ceremony in which lights are lit and offered up to gods) as per the typical Tamil culture. Mother General reciprocated the affection of the gathering by thanking the entire Educating Community and praising them for their presence and involvement. They were accompanied to the chapel for a brief prayer moment during which Mother Chiara lit the traditional Indian lamp (Kuthuvilakku) and I said a prayer of thanksgiving.
Later, they were taken to the shrines of St Thomas the Apostle, the patron of our province: Little Mount, Thomas Mount and Santhome Cathedral. A very beautiful and significant event was the holy Eucharist on the tomb of the saint in the crypt chapel of the basilica. The celebrant, Rev. Fr Maria Arockiam Kanaga SDB, during the homily shared about the credibility of the presence and martyrdom of St Thomas the Apostle in Chennai making it a holy place.
The Centenary event commenced with the fervent Morning Prayer at Fatima Convent Chapel, Kodambakkam. Mother General offered a symbolic tree having many branches with its nests representing all the Sisters, children, young people, women and all our beneficiaries who came under the tree, found shelter and who in turn dedicated themselves with zeal to revitalize the Charism of Don Bosco and Mother Mazzarello responding to the signs of the times in the present socio-ecclesial situation.
The Eucharist was presided over by beloved Rector Major Rev. Fr Angel Fernandez Artime and concelebrated by SDB Provincials of Chennai, Trichy and Hyderabad, Mgr I. John Robert, Apostolic Administrator of Vellore Diocese, and more than 50 Diocesan and Salesian priests. During the homily, the Rector Major expressed his joy in being able to thank God along with the entire FMA world for its 150 years of service in the Church and particularly for the marvellous growth of the Salesian Charism in India. He recommended the Salesian Sisters, fidelity to Charism especially in serving the poor young people and women, saying that there will be a second centenary because of our fidelity. He encouraged the young people to be happy always. All the participants were overwhelmed with joy and were excited to take personal and group photos with the Rector Major and Mother General. The auditorium was packed to capacity with more than 1000 persons. Many acclaimed that the FMA SDB Generalate is in Katpadi, Vellore, with the Leaders of both the main branches of the Salesian Family being present. A rare and memorable occurrence indeed!
The next day, Rev. Sr Chiara Cazzuola unveiled the plaque of the Human Resource Development Centre (HRDC). Mother Chiara and the General Councillors interacted with nearly 1000 young people from the Schools of INM and INT provinces in Chennai. Mother General hoisted the centenary flag and she declared the opening of centenary celebrations. The joyous occasion was marked by the release of 100 tri-colour balloons marking the 100 years of the presence of Salesian Sisters in India. The doves were released, as a sign of joy, peace and harmony. The presentation on the theme of ‘Laudato si’- ‘Care for our common home- the Earth’, was the culmination of the meeting. Sr. Runita Borja, the general councillor for youth ministry, in her message to the young people exhorted them to take home the message by repeating “I belong to you, You belong to me, We belong to God and Together we make the World.” Mother General blessed the gathering with her special message.
The culminating event of the glorious centenary festivities of the FMA presence in India at the PCI level began in the vast, nostalgic and enchanting Auxilium campus! All joined in unison to raise voices to sing praises to the Almighty for the wonders He has worked in the lives of our pioneering missionaries and every FMA of the past and present.
The grand finale of the celebrations that marked the centenary of the Salesian Sisters in India started with great pomp and fanfare at the premises of Auxilium School Campus, Katpadi. The procession of the guests started with the releasing of the doves and with the parade of the NCC of Auxilium arts and science college Katpadi to the band of Auxilium Girls Higher Secondary School while the beautiful young women of the Auxilium College of Education escorted the guests to the auditorium with colourful umbrellas.