NASHIK, MAY 26, 2010: On the Solemnity of Mary Help of Christians, May 24, 2010, fourteen young men made their First Religious Profession in the Society of St. Francis de Sales at 6.30 p.m. in the Don Bosco Parish Church, Nashik. Nine belong to the Mumbai Province and five to the Konkan Province.
Fr. Michael Fernandes sdb, the Provincial of the Salesian Province of Mumbai, presided at the solemn and well-animated Eucharist; seventeen priests concelebrated. In his homily, Fr. Provincial shared his reflections on the theme the newly professed had chosen: “God Assists; We Persist.” He said that our call is God’s initiative; the God who calls us, assists us to respond to his call. Persistence holds firmly and steadfastly to our commitment despite obstacles, discouragement, opposition, or setbacks. After the homily, the fourteen young men professed their vows; received the cassock, and the book of the Constitutions and Regulations.
After supper, Fr. Provincial officially entrusted sixteen new novices to the Novice Master, Fr. Solomon Rapol. In his brief homily before the entrustment, the Provincial reminded the novices that detachment is the core of religious life; that the novitiate is the foundation of their Salesian life. He exhorted the novices to develop their convictions and be totally open to their Novice Master.
Our congratulations to the newly professed Salesians and the new novices! May they persist in responding whole-heartedly to the call of the Lord who assists!