Calcutta (India). In communion with the whole Institute of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians, the Educating Communities of Mary Help of Christians Province (INC) celebrated the 150th anniversary of Foundation with a series of events and initiatives, which occurs in the year of the 100th anniversary of FMA presence in India. The use of CAPS, small Centenary hats, brought a touch of joy especially among children and young people.
On 5 August 2022, the FMA renewed their pledge to live radically the commitment of being a “living monument of gratitude” to Mary Help of Christians. The celebrations carried out through moments of prayer, events together with the Educating Communities and representatives of the Salesian Family at the community, school, educational, parish, and diocesan levels were a concrete opportunity to make the FMA Institute known.
All the communities readied themselves for this historic event with three months of preparation on the themes indicated and shared by the Institute:
the Constitutions, a gift of Mary; the Trinitarian horizon and the Christological horizon in the Constitutions, as well as a week of preparation through liturgical animation on charismatic themes and with Penance Services. The solemn Eucharistic Celebration was the culmination of the festivities for each Educating Community.
The jubilee celebrations at the local level highlighted the theme of fidelity: the 50th anniversary of Sr. Rose Ezarath and Sr. Teresa Thudianplackal in Bandel, of Sr. Theresa Korattiparampil in Ranchi; the 60th anniversary of Sr. Elizabeth Makil in Barasat; and of Sr. Silvina Kujur in Dum Dum.
The Barasat school organized AUXI AURA 2022, an event that involved 20 schools gathered for a day on the theme “Joyful Centenary of Heritage”. The AUXI AURA was a truly joyful event and ended with a musical show appreciated by all.
The Community of Mary Help of Christians of the Provincial House of Dum Dum, Calcutta, on 17 July renewed the commitment of fidelity in the parish church of St. Patrick in Dum Dum, on the occasion of the bicentenary of the church.
The aspirants of the Bl. Eusebia Palomino Community of Barasat gave expression to the Charism by presenting the play, “She the first; She the leader”, about Mary. They also led the Barasat audience to retrace the memory of the arrival of the 6 pioneer missionaries in India.
The Auxilium Community of Kalyani praised God for the prodigious expansion of the Institute in the world, projecting to the faithful present at Holy Mass a brief power point with the history of the Congregation’s beginnings.
The girls from the Kurseong boarding school presented a performance to highlight the spirit of the origins and the children of the parish catechism were invited to see the film on Mother Mazzarello.
The Novices of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Novitiate of Ranchi creatively staged the mandate “I entrust them to you” and the girls of the Ranchi boarding school presented a charismatic exhibit on the life of Mary Mazzarello and on the development and expansion of the mission and charism of the FMA Institute.
The Calcutta Gobra and Park Circus Communities joined together to celebrate Foundation Day and the arrival of the first missionaries in India with the Salesians of Don Bosco, members of other religious communities, Salesian Cooperators, ADMA members, Past pupils, representatives of parish councils, the Center for Charismatic Renewal, collaborators, and other parishioners.
Blessed Laura Vicuña Community of Jumaikela celebrated the Foundation Day with a solemn Holy Mass presided over by Msgr. Emmanuel Kerketta, Bishop of the Diocese of Kunkuri. In his homily, the Bishop stressed the extension of the missionary work of Jesus by the Salesian Sisters in different parts of the world. This was followed by a performance with the Scouts Honor Guard and the School Guides, a festive song, a dance, and a skit about the life of the missionary Sisters.
The celebrations for the 150th anniversary of the Foundation of the Institute continue with the hope that they will bear abundant fruit in the life of every FMA to keep the Salesian charism alive in creative fidelity to Don Bosco and Mother Mazzarello.
