by BIS Correspondent
GUJARAT, AUGUST 20, 2015: A huge crowd of 850 people attended a special event that marked the closing of Bicentenary celebrations - of the birth of Don Bosco - held at Don Bosco ChhotaUdepur in Gujarat on August 16.
Among those present were a host of priests, nuns, collaborators, youth, children and a host of special invitees.
Archbishop Thomas Macwan celebrated the solemn Eucharist and touched upon the life of the Great Saint in his homily. He urged those present to strive to become saints through their acts of love, charity and peace.
Songs, dances and skits that were performed in the course of the day kept the audience entertained.
Father Cleophas Braganza made a presentation of the Rector Major, Father Angel Fernandez Artime's 'Strenna' (or gift), in chaste Hindi.
The Strenna has been a tradition in the Salesian Family since Don Bosco first offered his boys a few words of advice and encouragement as an end-of-the-year gift during the first days of the Oratory.
Archbishop Thomas Macwan, Father Byron D'Silva, Father Lorenzo D'Souza, Father Blaise Fernandes, Father Brian Boothelo, Father Cleophas Braganza, Father John Manuel Fernandes, Father Oscar Barretto and Noel D'Lima were felicitated at the event.
"Don Bosco ne hum sabko dhamakedaar hila diya... itna joshila programme tha... next programme kab ?"(Don Bosco has shaken us all up..…this was such a enthusiastic programme..when is the next programme?) quipped a youth who attended the event.