The Salesians of Don Bosco and Daughters of Mary Help of Christians hosted a ‘Vocation Day’ at Divyadaan: Salesian Institute of Philosophy, Nashik on February 1, 2020, from 10.00 am to 04.00 pm for Catholic students in and around the city of Nashik. The campus buzzed with activity, fun, joy, and excitement as 98 enthusiastic and vibrant youngsters from Std. VIII to XII of the neighbouring schools, hostels, boardings, colleges and parishes (Don Bosco, Kilbil, Nirmala Convent, St. Philomena’s – English and Marathi medium, St. Patrick’s – Devlali and St. Francis Xavier’s) participated in the event. The sole purpose of this day was to inspire the youngsters to hear the voice of the Lord and get a first-hand experience of interacting with sisters, fathers, and brothers of 12 congregations and 1 diocese in the Church.
The registration of the participants began at 09.00 am. The attendees helped themselves with refreshments, proceeded to the main hall for ice-breakers after which they were divided into 10 groups. Fr. Robert Pen, sdb, the Rector of Divyadaan, warmly welcomed the participants and religious and wished them blessings for discerning God’s will in their lives. Fr. Bosco Carvalho accompanied the Mercy Band, novices of Sacred Heart Training Centre, and the Divyadaan brothers led the gathering into prayer and praise, singing and dancing to popular gospel songs. Fr Renold Lemos sdb, brought out the meaning and implication of the ‘call’ of God through creative role-plays enacting the various call narratives in the Bible – of Jeremiah, Moses, Peter, and Mary. He quoted the example of famous football stars, beauty pageant titleholders, engineers and other successful individuals who left behind their rich and promising careers to follow the voice of the Lord. He challenged them to listen to the voice of the Lord and to find out God’s will for them. Sr Jaya Mary Pedthala, fma, conducted a Q&A interactive session for the attendees. The participants were made to sit in groups along with religious sisters and priests to put forth questions, doubts, and clarifications related to vocation. The session lasted for 45 minutes. After a fruitful discussion, the students gathered back in the main hall to view a five-minute video presentation on the work and charism of each of the 12 congregations and 1 diocese.
The attendees proceeded for a group photograph and lunch at 01.00 pm. The participants were invited to take a tour and visit stalls set up by the fathers, brothers and sisters showcasing their charism and mission. During this mini-exhibition, the students got a glimpse of different congregations and received take-aways like brochures, key chains, bookmarks, pamphlets and other religious items. The entire assembly proceeded to the chapel for prayer and adoration. As they sat before the Blessed Sacrament, Sr. Pedthala invited the youngsters to offer themselves to God, to listen to that inner voice which would help them choose the right vocation – the vocation for which they were born and through which they would find true happiness and meaning in life. The Vocation Day ended with a cup of tea and warm, friendly farewells.
Highlights of the day included the interaction of 45 fathers, sisters and brothers with each other and with students; teachers, catechists, religious and youngsters visiting the Vocation Day selfie-point; and creative stalls set up by the 12 congregations and 1 diocese. Divyadaan seemed no less than mini-Vatican. A youngster expressed that “it was really enjoyable to be present for such a lively and learning event.” A novice of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians said that she was strengthened in her own vocation and commitment looking at the youngsters.
The Vocation Day was a brainchild of Fr. Leon Cruz Rathinam sdb, who along with his Salesian teammates and Salesian sisters, envisioned the event and actualized it. This joint collaboration of congregations and diocese displayed a passion for youngsters as well as the urgency for facilitating vocations to the Church.
