On 14th November 2017 was a historic day was celebrated and remembered with lots of sentiments of joy and gratitude in SHTC along with the community of Maria Vihar. We all gathered together for a prayer moment in the evening which was beautifully and prayerfully animated. But before this the Novices enacted the departure of the first missionaries to Uruguay, it was very touching and heartfelt as it recalled the historic moments of our Institute. Sr. Salome D’ Souza, the Novice mistress gave rosaries and medals of Our Lady Help of Christians as a sign that Mary is the first missionary who is our guiding star along the way as she was for the first missionaries.
At the end of the prayer moment Sr. Philomena D’Souza, the animator of Maria Vihar community gave us beautiful message. After the spiritual food we had entertainment through games and refreshments. Sr. Surekha Gabru FMA organized different games on the missionaries for the Sisters and each of the Novices participated whole heartedly and enjoyed the missionary atmosphere. It was a really wonderful and memorable day for each one of us. The novices put in immense efforts in the preparation of this day. Here is the interview taken of the novices who started this preparation from 7th November to 14th November 2017.
*What were the initiatives taken to prepare for this great day?
First of all we were all happy to be part of this big historic celebration. We prayed for the missionaries and for more vocations during our prayer moments, we also studied and presented the life the first six missionaries, wrote letters to missionaries, watched the missionary films and the Goodnights were on the letters of Mother Mazzarello.
*What did you like during this missionary week?
During this week sisters were giving ‘Goodnights’ on Mother Mazzarello’s letters which I liked the most. Her letters were simple but the heart touching words helped me to be courageous and in return I was able to encourage others. I also liked the first six missionaries’ life. Though they were too attached to their land and dear ones yet they went for their mission willingly and joyfully.
Sr. Sangeeta Marvi
*Were you inspired by any missionary sisters?
“Its shoots extended beyond the ocean…” this dynamic theme of our missionary week had a great impact on me. During this missionary week I read the life of our first missionary sisters and I was very touched because their life was full of struggle and sacrifices. Everything they did only for the love of God. This made them remain cheerful. Personally, the life of Sr. Angela Cassulo inspired me a lot. Most of her life time she was in charge of kitchen but with great love and simplicity she carried on her work and spread the fragrance of Mornese spirit. She never expected that she would become a missionary but God has his own plans for each one of us. It made me realize to stay always in the plan of God, expect surprises from Him and be open to His plan.
Sr. JenniferMacwan
*In this missionary week which initiatives impressed you?
During this missionary week I was greatly impressed by the initiative taken of writing letters to the missionaries as Mother Mazzarello did to encourage the sisters who were in far mission lands. Writing letters to missionaries made me realize that through words we can make such a great impact on people’s life. I felt that through writing letters to missionaries I made some contribution to bring light in the life of those missionaries who are spreading the light of Christ.We had an awesome week with lots of fun and memories. Let us give our best as our first missionaries lived for Jesus and for the youth. Saying we live for Christ till ‘ Jabtak hai jaan’ ( as long as we are alive)
Sr. Prezy Parmar
*You watched the documentary movie Mission on the life of Don Albert de Augustine called End of the World( fin del mundo )during this week of preparation . Tell us what struck you the most.
During this celebration for the 140th years of the first missionary expedition we had a week preparation in which we read the letters of Mother Mazzarello, watched videos and documentary movies on the missions. One among the short movie on missions which I liked was on the life of Don Albert de Augustine who was a Salesian priest and a missionary in South America. He was a passionate mountaineer, explorer, geographer, ethnographer, photographer and cinematographer. Through his talents and hobby he discovered the beauty of God and also helped indigenous people.Use hobbies and talents for the greater glory of God and for the salvation souls”.
Sr. Khusboo Vasava
*What was your experience listeningto the letters of Mother Mazzarello to the missionaries?
During this missionary week I was very much touched by the letters of Mother Mazzarello. When the letters were read during the ‘Goodnights’, I felt as though MM is personally writing to me. The words and the prophesies she used really touched my heart. It shows the deep love of Mother Mazzarello had for her daughters ( FMA) and also for the girls. I felt that God is speaking to us through her.
Sr. Rani Pandit
*What message do you take for yourself from M.M. which was given to first missionaries?
I was very much struck by the quotation from the letters of Mother Mazzarello “Be cheerful and don’t be so afraid of your defects and of not being able to correct them all at once. Little by little, with the good will to fight them never making peace with them once the Lord makes them known to you, do your part to correct yourself” (L17). And also the prayer service which was on 14th November 2017 on 140th first missionary expedition F.M.A the question which was asked ,“ Whom shall I send and who will go for us? Here I am send me!” I felt there is a strong message for each FMA and especially to us the novices who are preparing ourselves for our first yes are we ready to say wholeheartedly ,Here I am send me!” As our first zealous missionaries said, it is indeed a calling to set ourselves on fire because mission calls for responsibility.
Sr. Benzina Vayaghar
*What struck you the most during this missionary week?
During the missionary week I was struck by the ‘Goodnights’ which were taken from the letters of Mother Mazzarello. As if Mother is telling me to be a missionary and reminding me to be cheerful. It was also great joy know Mother Mazzarello and the life of the first missionary sisters who were so full of life and loved God and others.
Sr. Vencila Dimekar
*Are you ready to go as a missionary?
I will never forget these words of Maria Mazzarello. These words were really meant by her when I heard the letters during the Goodnights reading their life, watching the life of missionaries and acting out the first expedition made me realize how the sisters might have felt and this experience of one week woke up the inner person making me to prepare myself for missions.
Sr. Jesmine Fernandes
*What is your advice to aspiring missionaries?
Pope Francis says, “Life is strengthened by giving it and is weakened by isolation and by comfort. It grows and matures in the measures in which we give for the life of others”. Our missionary sisters did the same what Pope Francis says. They gave their life selflessly for their mission. Let us be a missionary every day wherever we are.
Sr. Akshitha Lobo
The one week of missionary preparation for the great day for14th November brought a joy reviving the missionary flame in the depths of the heart and strong missionary impulse in SHTC and the Maria Vihar Community.