Community Day Special!!!

From the Editor's Desk

                 We live in a world, which focuses a lot on collective sharing and cooperative ventures. Men have realized that a lot could be realized in an efficient manner when many join their hands together for a purpose. The call to collective  thinking as envisaged in the writings  of Teihard is indeed becoming something very nice and experiential as far as the human race is concerned.

                 Celebration of Community Month is an opportunity to deepen in our identity as religious, who are called to live in communion, thus witnessing the love of the Heavenly Father. Don Bosco was indeed assured of the importance of confreres being together in the communities in the actualization of the mission of the Society. Moreover, he wanted every community to live as true family, with true  family spirit,  accepting every member of the community and providing him strength and energy to journey in the footsteps of Don Bosco.

Section five of the second part of the Constitutions, through its various articles, stresses the greatness and importance of fraternal life in our apostolic communities.  Article 49 states, “To live and work together is for us Salesians a fundamental requirement and a sure way of fulfilling our vocation.” Again in article 50 we read, “God calls us to live in community and entrusts us with brothers to love.”  Salesian life is therefore realized primarily in each and every community, which fosters bonds of unity and brotherhood under its roofs. This is an invitation to consider everyone as brothers, irrespective of any distinctions and differences. Moreover, such a life calls for the way of life, which St. Paul exhorts in his letter to the Colossians. “Put on as  God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassion, kindness, lowliness, meekness and patience, forbearing one another and if, one has a complaint against another forgiving each other.”(Col,12-13)

Let the celebration of the community month, enable us to strengthen our bonds of brotherhood and unity through a sincere living in the community, accepting every member as our own brothers.

 Jithin SDB

THE PRINCE AND THE SHEPHERD BOY: FRIENDSHIP IN THE LIGHT OF THE FIRST BOOK OF SAMUEL

Palatty Jerin sdb

                 Last year while taking a small afternoon nap during the holidays at home, I got a SMS from my friend:

                 Want love: I am always there with you

                 Want support: My heart is near to you

                 Want consolation: My caring hands are upon you always

                 Want money: sorry…. This number doesn’t exist. Please don’t try again.

                 Though it may be a funny SMS, it reveals the attitude of many people with regard relationships in this present world. Blaise Pascal, a modern rationalist said: “If people were to know what others said at their back, there would not have been at least four friends left in the world.” Well, while going through the scriptures, we can find dazzling examples of friendship - Jesus and John, Jesus and Mary, Jesus and Lazar, Moses and Aaron, Daniel and his friends and David and Jonathan.

In the friendship of David and Jonathan, one finds a sublime expression of perfect friendship as said by Jesus, “A good friend is one who is ready to sacrifice his life for the other.” Jonathan is introduced as a heroic figure of Israel in the fourteenth chapter of the first book of Samuel. He was the son of King Saul and thus the natural successor of the throne of Israel. He surprised and defeated the Philistines at Michmash (1 Sam 14: 23). His deep trust in Yahweh is evident from his words to the servant, “It may be that the Lord will act for us; for nothing can hinder the Lord from saving by many or few” (1 Sam 14:6b). Jonathan’s popularity can be estimated from the incident in which Saul wanted to kill him for the breach of the oath but restrained himself due to the compulsion of the people. The scripture would say that the “people ransomed Jonathan and he didn’t die” (1 Sam 14: 45). “Shall Jonathan die, who has accomplished this great victory in Israel? Far from it! As the Lord lives, not one of his hairs shall fall to ground: for he has worked with God today” (1 Sam 14: 45a). Thus Jonathan, the prince of Israel, was surely the able and capable one to become the king of Israel after King Saul.

But here comes the twist in the story. Yahweh asks Samuel to anoint David, the shepherd boy the son of Jesse as the king of Israel (1 Sam 16: 13). David enters the palace as a lyre player for Saul. Thus in the palace there was Jonathan- the inheritor to the throne of Saul and David- the one anointed by Yahweh. If it were in the present world, ask not whether there will be a fight but ask how severe it would be. But interestingly, the first encounter between David and Jonathan is extremely dramatic: “The soul of Jonathan was bound to the soul of David and Jonathan loved him as his own soul” (1 Sam 18: 1). This seems to be contradictory because the encounter took place after David killed Goliath and became the hero of Israel (1 Sam 17). The people of Israel shouted the praises of David: “Saul killed his thousands and David his ten thousands” (1 Sam 18: 7). Jonathan should have understood clearly that his popularity was declining. But instead of feeling jealousy towards David, he makes a loving covenant with David.

“Jonathan stripped himself of the robe that he was wearing, and gave it to David and his armour and even his sword and his bow and his belt” (1 Sam 18: 4). Jonathan did this because ‘he loved David as his own soul’ (1 Sam 18:3). This is the first lesson of friendships. Never be jealous of your friend. Give your whole support and encouragement to your friend. But this is possible only if there is pure love. The friendship finds its fullest expression in chapter 19 of Samuel wherein we see Jonathan interceding for David to Saul. Saul wanted to kill David but Jonathan narrates the good deeds David has done and persuades his father to refrain from his plan though all the servants were against him. “Saul heeded the voice of Jonathan and swore “As the lord lives, he shall not be put to death” (1 Sam 19: 6).

                 A friend must not speak behind his friend’s back. He must be able to bring out the good in his friend, even if others speak ill of his friend. This is where one proves his guts to be a friend. Chapter 20 is a historical narrative just speaking about the friendship of David and Jonathan. This is also the last meeting between the two friends who would never meet any more. Jonathan had a beautiful chance to betray David and secure his kingdom. He knew that David was helpless and was depending on him utterly while his father was trying to kill him. But Jonathan proved himself to be trustworthy. A friend must be trustworthy.

A friend must be able to sacrifice his time and capacities for the others. A sublime example is shown by Jonathan wherein he is ready to sacrifice even his life for David for interceding for David to Saul “Jonathan said to Saul ‘Why should he (David) be put to death.” But Saul threw his spear at him to strike him’” (1 Sam 20: 33).

Another characteristic of friendship shown by both is the spirit of dialogue. We see a kind of mis-understanding between David and Jonathan. But they talked it over and settled the issue. (1 Sam 20: 1 – 17). The book of Sirach would say, “Question a friend, probably he might not have done it.” David trusted Jonathan. That is why we see David docile to every word of Jonathan. He never looked at Jonathan with a suspicious eye. Though he would run away from Saul, he would seek refuge in Jonathan. “David fled from Natroth in Ramah. He then came before Jonathan” (1 Sam 20: 1). So, be trustworthy as a friend and trust your friend.

The parting scene of David and Jonathan is beautifully dramatized in the book of Samuel. It shows the depth of love between the two friends. “He bowed three times and they kissed each other, and wept with each other” (1 Sam 20: 4). A supreme expression of authentic love could be seen here. They met never again. Jonathan was soon killed by the Philistine army. When David heard of his death he lamented and sang, “I am distressed for you my brother Jonathan, Greatly beloved were you to me, Your love to me was wonderful Passing the love of women” (2 Sam 1: 26).

This is authentic friendship. A friendship based and rooted in love, trust, being trustworthy, sacrifice, dialogue and acceptance. This is what the two great Biblical personalities teach us. In this utilitarian world, let us be friends like this prince and shepherd boy who loved each other as they loved their lives’ (1 Sam 20: 17). “Keep the lamp of friendship burning with the oil of love because friendship rises in the heart and never die.”

                                      

Friendship v/s Love

 Friendship is a quiet walk in the park with the one you trust.

     Love is when you feel like you are the only two around.

Friendship is when they gaze into your eyes and you know they care.
     Love is when they gaze into your eyes and it warms your heart.

Friendship is being close even when you are far apart.
     Love is when you can still feel their hand on your heart
     when they are not near.

Friendship is hoping that they experience the very best.
     Love is when you bring them the very best.

Friendship occupies your mind.
     Love occupies your soul.

Friendship is knowing that you will always try to be there
     when in need.

     Love is when you will give up everything to be at their side.

Friendship is a warm smile in the winter.
     Love is a warming touch that sends a pulse through your heart.

Love is a beautiful smile to which nothing compares:
     A tender laugh, which opens your heart,
     A single touch that melts away your fears,
     A smell that reminds you of the tenderness of heaven,
     A voice that reminds you of the innocence of youth.

Friendship can survive without love.
     Love cannot live without friendship.

Sanil sdb

THE YOUNG

Oh! Dear fathers and mothers

Youth belong not to you

For they are the treasures in themselves!

They are not from you and don’t belong to you

Though they are with you and through you

For they are the free birds flying high in the sky

You may love them but not make them love

For they have their own heart

You may judge their body but not their soul

For their soul lives in a house of adventure

Where even your dreams reach not

Don’t make them like you though you strive to be like them

For they live today and tomorrow you lived yesterday

They are arrows left from your bow

Do not take them back

For they will miss their destiny

They are the king fishers who strive to achieve

Do not blame them

For they are dynamic and attractive in their nature

They are the peacocks who dance for joy

Do not threaten them

For they search for happiness

They are deers who pant for a running stream

Lead them not astray

For they have miles to go in life

They are butterflies running around coluorfully

Catch them not and make them your own

For they search for meaning in life

REMEMBER………!

They are diamonds of today

Torch them the light of the world

And then the sparkling of their heart of diamond

Brighten the world with love and light of God.

Roshan sdb

Talents for Living in Community

Kalappurakal Jithin

                  Is there really a talent for living in a religious community? Yes there is. But it is not a single talent but a cluster of several small talents. Here are some of the most important talents among them:

1.  Talent for Listening

                  A good listener in a community is a treasure. The talent for listening ordinarily precedes from a healthy awareness of our own limitations, inadequacies, incompleteness, because we feel the need to receive from others. The talent for listening goes beyond listening with our ears. We have to listen with our mind, heart, eyes, touch etc.

2. Talent for Speaking

                  Healthy communities need individuals who will take the risk of speaking up openly, honestly, directly and sensitively. Communication is crucial to community living because it build trust, provides encouragement, ease our sense of isolation and loneliness.

3. Talent of Sensitivity

Sensitivity is a gift despite the pain it many entail. Most of the good things happen in world because of the sensitivity of some people. Sensitivity is important in community living because it is the breeding ground for a host of other virtues like courtesy, sympathy, understanding, patience, compassion, etc.

4. Talent for Deriving Pleasure from the Simple Things of Life

Secret of happiness lies more in the ability to enjoy simple pleasures of life. Blessed are those who can do it. These people are a two-fold blessing to their communities if they also possess the ability to lead others to do so.

5. The Talent of Sticking with It

Lots of people start new projects and endeavours. Many give up when the going becomes tough. Community needs people who will start new projects and stick with it till the end.

6. The Talent of Being Who You Are

God has no need of clones- not even clones of his greatest saints. He needs original, one-of-a-kinders, in short, you and me. The community may stifle our individuality and we may betray our uniqueness. Our individuality actually enriches our community.

7. The Gift of Believing We are Loved

Victor Hugo says, “The supreme happiness of life is the conviction that we are loved.” The basis of this belief is our own sense of self worth and lovablensess. When we have this, we don’t feel the need to prove our worth to others- through competitiveness, persistent arguing, boasting, overwork, excessive need for power, control, and influence. Our sense of lovablenss can grow through our relationship with the community members, family and friends.

8. A Sense of Humour

It is one of the essential talents for community living. Good for both body and soul. Laughter eases the stress of daily living, softens the rough edges of diverse individuals trying to live together in harmony. And there is so much to laugh about life.

9. Gift of Affirmation

It calls for accepting people as they are and appreciating them for what they are and for what they do, recognizing their gifts, talents, abilities. We can build people only on their strengths. Affirmation calls forth what is best in people.

Community Life: An Integral Element of Religious Life

Jithin. C sdb 

                  God made man a social being. Man’s destiny is to live in community and to grow in interpersonal encounters and experiences. St Ensupery says, “The person exists only as a bond of relationship.” When Heidegger affirmed that being with the other is a characteristic of human existence, he was indeed giving a firm base of Teihard’s view that person is essentially made for the other. Looking at the present scenario, which encourages co-operative and collaborative ventures and collective thinking in the pursuit of goals, we realize that the world has by now become a community with deeper and deeper relationships in various gourds of the human existence. Church, the mystical body of Christ affirms the need for living in harmony and unity as taught by the Lord to his followers. In the context of the present trend of wider appreciation on the community living I would like to draw your attention to some of the fundamental aspects of the religious who are living in communities, as people bound with God and one another in deep relationship and intimacy.

Community life is part and parcel of the identity of the religious. God has willed that all men should constitute human family, a community of salvation (G. S. 24.). Jesus, with his disciples of varied temperaments, formed a family, forgetting differences and distinctions among them. The first Christian community of Jerusalem, found  on the rock of deep faith in Jesus Christ, was characterized by their unity and harmony, lived out as of ‘one heart and one family’ in hearing the Word of God, and in the celebration of the Lord’s Supper. This embryonic cenacle became the Church, with the mission to spread the message of God’s love to the humanity. St Paul compares Church to a body. The church is the people of God, the community of worship, and marked by the virtues of faith, hope and charity made one by the Lord. Fraternal life in common is part of God’s plan as he wished to share with us his life of communion. This visible manifestation of the communion is the foundation of the Church upon which the Church leads her folk to the heavenly Jerusalem.

Religious life, an essential element of the church’s life, reflects the holy Trinity in its community. It is indeed a living expression of the Trinitarian koinonia. Understood as such, religious life is an intense living of the mystery of the Church and a community of salvation, in communion with God and with one another in view of a mission.  Canon law, no. 602 states, “The fraternal life proper to each institute unites all the members into, as it were a special family in Christ.” Therefore religious are not simply a gathering of Christian is search of personal perfection but is a participation in and a qualified witness of the Church. It is living organism called to live animated by the founder’s charism. It is God who brings them and keeps us together under one family. By calling the religious to live in community, God gives them brothers to love. In communion the religious are called to live in love, share together the human and spiritual resources and respect the originality of each member, to strive to produce the koinonia of the one heart and one soul.

     A look at the teachings of the Church on religious community living, invites us to delve further into some of its essential nature.  Religious communities are communities of faith to the love of Christ that has brought its members  together. The fatherhood of God, which created genuine brotherhood calls for the duty to be witnessing communities of this faith. The apostolate and mission are indeed witness to the teachings of Christ. Vita consecrate states, “More than the external works, the mission consists in making Christ present to the world through personal witness. Every community is therefore called to proclaim the Gospel by what it is than by what it says. Fraternal love is a sign and concrete proof of what the community proclaims. The code of Canon Law referring to the apostolate of religious states that the apostolate of all religious consists primarily in the witness of their consecrated life, which they are bound to foster through prayer and penance (Can 673). Thus communities are called to be prophetic signs of fraternity and solidarity where individualism and authoritarianism is rampant and prevalent.

Religious community is a community of love. To love and work together is a fundamental need for the religious who are called to fulfill their vacation. Apostolate is the diffusion of love, which goes  beyond the confines of the family in an ever broadening circle.

The vows and community life sustain each other. When the vow are lived in fraternal manner, the practice of them purifies the heart and frees its energies for loving. Chastity dose not dry up the sources of affectivity but rather orients it. When one feels loved and loves in his turn, compensation for affective need will not arise. Stressing on the need to live in sharing and collaboration, St. Francis de Sales says “You might live in dessert for years and never realizes how selfish you are, but two or three days in a community will soon tell you the truth.” Poverty pools the members and places spiritual and material goods at the disposal of others, in true attachment and interdependence. On receiving in obedience a personal mission, a religious should consider himself sent by the community. Obedience joins together the members in the common search for God’s will, guarantees fidelity and ensures continuity of the common mission.

Every society is upheld or degenerated by the values it upholds or neglects. They are the ideals that are commonly cherished and that which bring and keep together every society. Attachment to the founder, imitation of the virtues possessed by the founder and practice of the rules along with adherence to genuine tradition and fidelity will enable every religious community to live as a true family gathered together in the Lord’s name and to experience his rejoicing presence. This calls for the radiation of the love experienced in the community as ripples in a pond in the magnificent apostolate of each community.

Strengthen Your Band of Relationship

 “We must love another or die,” says W.H Auden. Interpersonal relationship is the soul of every group. Every group would perish without interpersonal relationship. To learn to be related to another is a lifelong task. Building up and maintaining relationship is of the utmost importance to the peaceful and happy survival of both the individual member and the group itself. Groups ought to provide opportunities to the members to grow in relationships. Personal identity is acquired through relationship with other people. In groups the members interact with others. They note their response, seek feedback as to how they are perceived by them and learn how to view themselves as they are viewed by others. It helps for the emergence of a clear and accurate self image. Failure in establishing acceptable relationship causes considerable anxiety, depression, frustration, and alienation. Members tend to be afraid and feel inadequate, helpless, and lonely. Poor impersonal skills cause psychological imbalances leading to disastrous consequences on life. The utmost importance is to be paid to the cultivation and maintenance of healthy interpersonal relationships. The following are the means suggested by Stephen R. Covey to strengthen the bond of relationship in groups and communities.

1. Understanding the individual

‘One person’s mission is another person’s minutia,’ is a well known saying. We need to understand the other person’s needs, wants, expectations and concerns. What is important to another person must be as important to you as the other person is to you. Our tendency is to guess others’ needs out or our own experiences. We project our intentions on the behaviour of others.

2. Attending to the little things

What really matters are the little acts of kindness and courtesy. Small discourtesy, little acts of unkindness, little forms of disrespect created a large dent in the relationships. In relationships, the little things are the big things. “People are very tender, very sensitive inside. Age or experience does not make much difference. Inside, even within the most toughened and calloused exteriors are the tender feelings and emotions of the heart.”

3. Keeping commitments

  Keeping promises however small or insignificant they may be helps to build bridges of trust that span the gaps of understanding between people.

4. Clarifying expectations

Expectations are cantered around certain roles. The cause of difficulties in relationships is often rooted in conflicting or ambiguous expectations. To clarify expectation requires courage. However it strengthens relationships.

5. Showing personal integrity

Personal integrity means living what one preaches. It is walking one’s talk. It generated trust. It underlies treating everyone by the same set of principles as one lives by draws the appreciation of others.

6. Apologizing sincerely

Only a person with real character can apologize quickly and unconditionally. Apologizing has to be done out of one’s heart. “A person must possess himself and have a deep sense of security in fundamental principles and values in order to genuinely apologize.” To apologize is a sign of great internal security. People who have a low self-esteem find it difficult to apologize. They feel it makes them appear soft and weak. They are afraid that others will exploit them. “When we truly love others without conditions, without strings, we help people feel secure and safe and validated and affirmed in their essential worth, identity, and integrity.” Their natural growth process is encouraged.                                                                                            

JEROME sdb

A Lasting Impression

"Jimmy, look at the impression you left in the sand," the man said to his son.
"Daddy what's a "pression?" the young child asked.
"That's "impression" Jimmy. The spot where you were lying on the sand sunk in around your body and when you got up it was there. Your feet do the same thing, they leave footprints."
"Oh, but you can't see my face," Jimmy replied.
"No, because you were lying on your back. It's like the impression you put in Mr. Johnson's new cement sidewalks."
"You mean my hand print?"
"Yes, but you also left another kind of impression. An impression on his mind."
"Mr. Johnson's brain is made of sand?"
His father laughed and then leaned over for one of those "parental moments"
"No, you left an impression on his memory. It's called a bad impression. When you do something to someone you leave them with a bad memory. Every time he walks out the door he sees your hand print there in that first step. I'm sure he remembers you daily."
"Well, Daddy. I was trying to do something good. I did that so he would see me waving "Hi" every morning."
His Dad tried not to laugh. He didn't want Jimmy to think it was okay to do what he did.
"So my impression will stay here on the beach forever, too?"
"No, it will be gone in the morning."
"Who's going to take it?"
"Well, God washes the beach every night so the next day we can do it again. It's like God's big drawing board. He likes to see our artwork."
Jimmy sat for a minute and then suddenly ran to get his bigger shovel and pail.
"Where are you going?"
"Up here where the water can't take it away," Jimmy said.
Dad watched from a distance as he saw Jimmy draw a great big circle-like figure in the sand. Then after a few minutes Jimmy yelled to him.
"Daddy, How do you spell "Loves?"
"L-o-v-e-s!"
Finally, out of curiosity, Dad got up and stood nearby. There in the sand was a huge heart-like circle with these words..."God Lovs Yo"
Not wanting to spoil the moment, Dad didn't bother to correct his spelling.
"That's beautiful, Jimmy!"
"Oh, wait a minute," Jimmy said.
He rushed over and placed his hand in the lower right corner and pushed down.
"There, I'm waving to God and Mr. Johnson. There's my hand impression, Daddy."
The two of them stood there for a moment admiring his handiwork.
"Daddy, I wanted everyone to know that God loves them. Do you think God will leave this one alone?"
"Jimmy, even God needs..."a little hand"...to remind us."
"I get it Daddy!" 

John Devaraj sdb

Friendship

KHALIL GIBRAN

Your friend is your needs answered.
He is your field which you sow with love and reap with thanksgiving.
And he is your board and your fireside.
For you come to him with your hunger, and you seek him for peace.
When your friend speaks his mind you fear not the "nay" in your own mind, nor do you withhold the "ay."
And when he is silent your heart ceases not to listen to his heart;
For without words, in friendship, all thoughts, all desires, all expectations are born and shared, with joy that is unacclaimed.
When you part from your friend, you grieve not;
For that which you love most in him may be clearer in his absence, as the mountain to the climber is clearer from the plain.
And let there be no purpose in friendship save the deepening of the spirit.
For love that seeks aught but the disclosure of its own mystery is not love but a net cast forth: and only the unprofitable is caught.
And let your best be for your friend.
If he must know the ebb of your tide, let him know its flood also.
For what is your friend that you should seek him with hours to kill?
Seek him always with hours to live.
For it is his to fill your need, but not your emptiness.
And in the sweetness of friendship let there be laughter, and sharing of pleasures.
For in the dew of little things the heart finds its morning and is refreshed.

A Suffering Flower that Never Fades

Reflections on the Life and Suffering of St. Alphonsa   

 Christ suffered for our sins. He suffered without complaining and he showed the greatest sign of love on the cross. The virtue of love can be seen in its fuller meaning on the cross. St. Paul in his letter to the Corinthians says about the virtue of love. Love is the greatest, the most precious and most powerful force which we experience in our day to day life. All the saints had in their hearts the real and burning love for God. St. Alphonsa said, “I am ready to suffer for the love for Jesus”. She was able to manifest her love towards God, through her sufferings and that suffering flower never faded. She thrived to be a beautiful flower in God’s garden but, nobody took notice of her, everyone despised her. But, the gardener was there beside this flower watering it and taking care of it. As a result this flower became the source of the fragrance of sanctity in this garden.

St. Alphonsa’s sufferings can be termed as the acts of love; her sufferings were the acts of love moved by the force of love. St. Theresa of Child Jesus once said, “I feel that my mission is to make God loved as I love Him.” St. Theresa was known as Theresa of Child Jesus. On account of the sufferings which St. Alphonsa underwent for the real love of Jesus she can be called as St. Alphonsa of suffering Jesus. In fact we can say that St. Alphonsa’s life is the simple and direct message of the Gospels, and her life is the real source of sanctity for both, religious and laity. The way of spiritual childhood is the path which leads to eternal life and it was true in the case of St. Alphonsa.

In the whole of her life, she was interested only in one thing, to do God’s will, and she fulfilled God’s will in her life. The real love for Jesus inspired her to be a bride of Jesus, offering herself completely to God. Life in the convent was not so comfortable for her. Even in the midst of her weakness and sufferings she was always serene and calm. She knew that God knew our weakness and was mindful that we were dust and ashes. Through her life she tells us that we are called to console than to be consoled, to understand than to be understood, to love than to be loved because we receive when we give, we are forgiven when we forgive and more than that when we die for the real love of God, we receive eternal happiness. The blessed and simple life of St. Alphonsa teaches us this plain truth of a life of suffering.

If God loves us, why these sufferings? Naturally this question arises in our minds. Studies show that many have hatred towards God on account of the sufferings which they undergo. We cannot blame them blindly but at the same time we should make them understand the real meaning and worth of sufferings as the gifts of God. Alphonsa considered her sufferings as the gifts of God and asked God for more gifts and God granted her all that she asked. When she was no more able to bear the sufferings in her heart God took them away from her life. Thus, we can say that her sufferings were a loving contract with God; to say some more specifically it was a loving contract of giving and taking. She never prayed a prayer in distress instead she always prayed a prayer of joyful praise to God.

Manjadiyil Anoop sdb

What is Don Bosco, Aluva to Me?

In the context of the community month preparations, the Companare team had conducted a survey in the community of Don Bosco Aluva. In response to the question ‘What is Don Bosco Aluva to me?’ the brothers of the community gave their genuine views in writing. The Companare team experienced a wonderful response from the brothers and for the team it was indeed a surprising and enriching event. In this special edition of the Companare we bring before you those responses collected from the community members.

“Don Bosco is a community of brothers living in peace and where understanding dwells in most the hearts of its members.”  Anbarasan.

Don Bosco is the home where I feel the warmth of my own people where I experience love of God through my people. Don Bosco is the one of the gift that God gave me this year. A model Salesian community and a place where I could form myself for my future life. Praveen K.J.

Don Bosco Aluva is the place where I can be what I am and it’s for me a home sweet time. Palatty Jerin

Don Bosco is a home for me, It is a place where I feel at home. I long to be back when I am away.  Jilson

A place where I experience love in its full. Bibin

Shelter of Caesers, House of wisdom,  A hut for refugees who seek Christ. Lapcha  

For me it is not mere philosophy where people pursue their degree and go best it is a home, where brothers live and love together. Arun

A home of happiness and growth.  Anoop

A home where I can share my brotherly love. Devaraj

A heavenly abode where we are, each of us angels only with one wing and we soar high embracing each other. Sanil

For me it is a family where we are united in a web of relationship.  Gejo

A place to live where I feel the warmth of love and care. It prepares me to face the challenges that come in my life.  Nijo

I t is a home where love, fight, sharing occur.  Abhilash

A home where I really enjoy the security of a home and the support of family members.  Joyish.

It is my own house, where I have people to love me, and to be loved. It provides me with all that I require. If I have a second birth, I wish to be born in the Salesian Family. Jins.

Impressions: A Serenade to Don Bosco, Aluva

The mellow colours of the setting sun drew an excellent canvas in the firmament. Birds fluttered happily. The leaves chanted melodious tone of silence as the twigs swayed in the rhythm of the mild breeze. I began to walk heeding to the buzzing melody of the nature. Deep within me pervaded feeling of peace and bliss. The butterfly welcomed me to the glimpse of the diverse flowers in the garden. I was enthralled at the crimson rose, fair magenta, purple flowers.  Their   petals sprung peaceful feeling of oneness and joyfulness.

I asked within, “Is it not wonderful when many come together emanating the rich beauty?”  Grass becomes greener, sky becomes bluer.   The natural world stands for oneness and intimacy; one lives for the other. As I sat enjoying the rich shade of that big tree I began to see my life through the eyes of my mind. Do I not experience enriched, cared, cherished, and loved in my community. Each one adds colour to my life. Those faces began to flow into my mind as I began to think about each one of them and my mind  chanted melodies of  gratitude and thanksgiving to my God who gave this rich treasure to my life. Thus born, “impressions.”

Fr. Rector: Channel of God’s Blessing

Fr. V.G: Stimulating Holiness

Fr. Kottiry: Angel of Goodness

Fr. Stephan: The Melody of Laughter

Fr. Shiju: One Who Drizzles care

Fr. Yesudas: The Gentle Breeze

Fr. Tom: Inspiring Spirituality

Fr. Francis: The Melody of Excellence

Bro. William: Excellence Personified

Joyish:  The Smile That Captivates All

Nijo:  Man of Receptiveness

Jilson: Glittering Grace

Roshan:  Apostle of Humility

Jithin: A Friend to All

Praveen: Exuberance of Goodness

Abil: Simplicity Simplified

Jins: Joyful Serenity

Samuel Rai:  The Cheerful Company

Robi: Inspiring Presence

Gejo: Harmonized Nobility

Bibin: The Good Samaritan 

Mathew: Eminence Exalted

Jithin: Instilling Hope

Anoop: Twinkle of Delight

Sibin: The Calm personality

 Rony: Charm of Attachment

Manish: Admirable Readiness

Sanil: The knight of Exactness

Praveen: Profound Novelty

Jim: Delightful Liveliness

Arun:  Sublime Gladness

Vipin: Image of Integrity

Dillip:  Graceful Vitality

Devaraj: Jovial Friend

Jaison: Flavour of Joyful Presence

Mathew:  Inflaming Diligence

Sebastian:  Marvelous Liveliness

Albin:  Reflection of Care

Francis: The Joyful Giver

Sachin: The Divine Elegance

John: A Cordial Heart

Jerin: The Spotless Lamp

Vineesh: Charismatic personality 

Joseph: The Innocent Smile

Lapcha: Grace of a Happy Personality

Anbarasan:  Noble humility

Jerome: The Well Wisher

Vinnarasu: Peaceful Presence

Abhilash:  Pearl of Commitment

Aneesh: Melody of Cheerfulness

You scribbled in my heart, The grace of your life, It revealed you to me, And I say you have touched me and I have grown, It healed me and I thank you dear, For your magnificent  impressions:

Don Bosco Returns

Kunnappallil Albin sdb

                 For every person there is somebody who is dear to him: for every country  there is somebody whom the people admire: for every association there is somebody who inspires them and who keeps them united in spite of the differences of language, colour, race and sex. What is Gandhi to India, Abraham Lincoln to America, Mother Teresa to the poor people of Calcutta and the destitutes of the world, Shakespeare to English literature, Einstein to science, Aristotle to philosophy  is  what Don Bosco to the Salesians. From the poverty stricken Pinardy shed, he reached out to millions in the world and gave them a reason to live a meaningful life, and educated them to be good Christians and noble citizens. He lost his father at the age of two but he became a father to many. He had to leave his house at a young age, but he became a home for many. He had no means to pursue his studies, but he gave education to many. He had to seek for an employment at a wealth family, but later he employed many young people.

He, having understood his mission in a dream, did not spare anything that would equip him with skills need for his ministry. He learned magic, music, acrobatic skills and he took his studies seriously though he had to pay for it dearly. He performed all his skills for the boys and the only reward they asked from them is that they say their prayers and be faithful to the practices of piety. As a priest, he refused the large sum of money offered by Marchioness and left behind the comforts of a Chaplin. His fellow priests thought of him to be mad. They even made a futile attempt to admit him in an asylum.

 Today he stands out as an outstanding embodiment, who epitomizes an apostle of the youth. Millions of young people are beneficiaries of his dedicated service and his fidelity to God’s call. The London Times acclaimed him as the ‘St. Vincent of the 19th century’. Cardinal Spellman expressed his admiration to Don Bosco when he said, “No one during the last century has done so much as Don Bosco, not only through his own service but also through his wonder working sons.” He is raised to the honors of the altar. He is a shining star in the galaxy of saints in heaven. During his life on earth, he brought blessings from heaven; today he gives blessings from heaven. The memory of Don Bosco is a memory of confidence. It inspires the minds, rejuvenates the hearts, and inspires everyone to tread the path that he took. The choice that he made for his life was an indication of God’s predilection for the young, and for their salvation.  ‘Da mihi animas catera tolle’, reminds us of his disposition to God’s invitation to be his instrument among the young. His programme of life was centered on the salvation of the young.

‘Da mihi animas cetera tolle’ is a prayer addressed to God by the one who, in the commitment and fatigue of apostolic challenge taken up in God’s name, abandoned all self-interest and wished to take up the burdens of every one. It is a prayer, it enables us to understand that the mission does not consist only in pastoral initiatives and activity. The mission is a gift of God, rather than an apostolic task. Its fulfillment is prayer in action. This is the point of overcoming activism and the risk of early burn out.  He visits us again. It is a moment for us to call him to return among us and among young people.  It is among the young that we meet God and find the homeland of our mission. All our pastoral initiatives must be set in relation to holiness. Holiness comes first. It is the most precious gift we can offer to the young. It is the highest goal that, with courage, we can set for all. Only on an atmosphere that is live by us among the young, they can have the possibility of appreciating and welcoming the gift of vocation.

  

 United under the Banner of a Visionary

“Don Bosco planted a seed

Seed has become a tree

And the tree a forest”

                 Dear friends, let our hearts be raised with hymns of thanksgiving to God who has brought us together under the banner of Don Bosco. As we journey ahead with one heart and one vision I would like to share with you some reflections on ‘Don Bosco the visionary who unites us together in carrying out his vision and mission.’

Dreams revealed John the treasury of God’s unassuming ways in carrying out the redemptive action of Christ, our master. Messages, from God took their shape and foundations in his dreams. Dreams when motivated him to walk on the bed of roses with thorns underneath, became visions, which led his life.  Trusting under the divine providence of God and submitting himself under the mantle of Bl. Mother, he revealed an excellent canvas which enabled the young to attain the goal of salvation.  His dreams brought forth the Salesian family where many ardent and devoted children of his, united themselves for one cause; the salvation of the young.

We, the sons of this visionary are indeed privileged to come together in his  name and to take part in his dream. Let us look within and ask; will we able to live the dream of someone else? No, unless we consider someone else’s dreams as our own we won’t be able to live their dream.  The first challenge, which Don Bosco offers us today, is therefore to make his dream our own. Listen to the murmurings of the wind and recognize the angles with dirty faces. Shall we not bring back the rainbow? Shall we not allow the butterflies to fly? Yes, we should.

  The motto of the Christopher movement is “it is better to light the candle than to curse darkness.”  Yes, a candle in dark indeed brings light. But then, imagine how nice it would be when many lights burn together and aglow the surroundings with rays of gladness. Yes, this is indeed the second challenge to which we are called to address. In carrying out our mission, we are called to light our laps together. Let the unity remove the obstacles of divisions because of colour, language, culture and such differences as we journey ahead. Yes, we need to light our candles together: the candles of our Salesian life towards the goal that Don Bosco has given us.

As we are in the community month, let us pledge ourselves to realize the dream of Don Bosco as our own through a life united in heat and soul.

Cherished Friends

God must have known there would be times
We'd need a word of cheer,
Someone to praise a triumph
Or brush away a tear.
He must have known we'd need to share
The joy of "little things"
In order to appreciate
The happiness life brings.
I think He knew our troubled hearts
Would sometimes throb with pain,
At trials and misfortunes,
Or goals we can't attain.
He knew we'd need the comfort
Of an understanding heart
To give us strength and courage
To make a fresh, new start.
He knew we'd need companionship,
Unselfish... lasting... true,
And so God answered the heart's great need
With cherished friends... like you!