‘It was the night of August 1947. As the drums rolled and conches blew the midnight hour, India moved from foreign rule to independence. In the flush of freedom, our leaders spoke a new tongue, they breathed a new spirit into the dry bones of a buried nation’…
…and so did the sisters and teachers of Auxilium, Baroda. The continuous downpour and the lockdown forced all to stay indoors and seemed to want to dampen our spirits. The school would have witnessed children dressed in traditional attire donning the tri colour, chanting patriotic songs, delivering fiery speeches, grooving to the beats of popular patriotic numbers. But this Independence Day, our 74th one, was indeed different.
Not wishing to let down our fervour, the sisters and teachers prepared a small programme. It began with invoking God’s blessings on our nation and its citizens, through prayer and song. The Chief Guest, Sr. Magdeline Sequiera, unfurled the tri colour and all gathered broke into song, singing with much unction, ‘Jana Gana Mana…’ our national anthem. This was followed by a series of patriotic songs and the recitation of a poem by the teachers.
Sr. Magdeline Sequeira, the vice – provincial, addressed the gathering. She spoke about the importance of Independence Day and its significance in our lives. She highlighted the achievements of various personalities, who in their own way decided to forfeit their career, luxury and self to help those in need. She exhorted us to make a difference.
Today is also the feast of the Assumption of our Blessed Mother. It celebrates her liberation from sin and death by the power of the Spirit of the Risen Lord. Mary stands as a sign and a sure hope in our struggles towards freedom and liberation. She reminds us that true independence is attained by the power of the Spirit. Let us place, in her hands, our country that in these difficult and unprecedented times we may attain complete liberation.
Vande Mataram!
