Salesian Province of Mumbai

☼ DON BOSCO PROVINCIAL HOUSE - MATUNGA

The Salesians of Western India were formed into a Visitatory on February 10, 1969 with Fr. DENNIS DUARTE, THE FIRST PROVINCIAL.

Very soon he was able to joyfully announce to the confreres: “By a special decree from Turin, Italy, dated January 31, 1972, the so called “Visitatory” of Bombay has been constituted into a Salesian Province. The patron is St. Francis Xavier.”

In the same circular he wrote: “In circular No 11/1971 I had informed the confreres that there would be a new Provincial House in Matunga. The Rector Major and his Council have been pleased to appoint Fr. Nicholas Soares as the Rector of the Provincial House. The purpose of the new house was stated as follows: it would serve as headquarters of the new Province for its sectional works, and the church in general. The Decree was dated 23,10,1972 and signed by the Rector Major, Fr. Aloysius Ricceri. Fr. Aurelius Maschio was the first Provincial Economer.

The Provincial House housed the provincial’s office, the secretariat and archives offices. It also incorporated the accounts and finance office of the province. The offices of the Past Pupils’ Provincial Federation and the Co-operators office were also housed here. For sometime it had also the National Past Pupils’ office as well.

Rectors:

Fr. Nichoas Soares 1971 – 1973

Fr. Vincent Vaz 1973 – 1978

Fr. Cajetan Lobo 1978 – 1981

Fr. Chrys Saldanha 1981 – 1982

Fr. Loddy Pires 1982 – 1988

Fr. Joaquim D’Souza 1988 – 1991

Fr. Joseph Casti 1991 – 1996

Fr. Godfrey D’Souza 1996 – 2002

Fr. Lionel Braganza 2002 – 2004

Fr. Edwin D’Souza 2004 – 2010

Fr. Wilfred D’Souza 2010 –

NEW PROVINCIAL HOUSE

On February 9, 1998 Archbishop Ivan Dias inaugurated the new Provincial House just before the start of the Provincial Chapter. Besides the province secretariat it is designed to bring together under one roof the offices of the various dimensions of the province apostolate.

THE SHRINE OF MARY HELP OF CHRISTIANS

Permission to build the Shrine was granted by the Bombay Municipal Corporation in 1955, but the foundation stone had already been blessed and laid by Valerian Cardinal Gracias on December 7, 1954. Within a span of two years the colossal monument was ready, thanks to the hard work of Fr. Aurelius Maschio. On August 5, 1957, Auxiliary Bishop Longinus Pereira blessed the Shrine and declared it open for public veneration.

Seven years later on November 28, 1964, the Shrine was formally consecrated by Archbishop Hubert Rosario to mark the beginning of the 39^th International Eucharistic Congress. On December 4, 1964, the Shrine was graced with the visit of Pope Paul VI. He blessed the statue of Mary Help of Christians that is still used during the annual feast day procession.

The Shrine itself is further enriched with a very artistic and prayerful Crypt. In the crypt encased in little gilded crucibles are hundreds of relics of saints. It is a favourite spot for many couples to celebrate their nuptials; and can comfortably accommodate about two hundred persons. The shrine can accommodate 800 in its pews and about 300 more standing.

The greatest blessing of the Shrine is the faith of countless devotees who have entered its portals for more than 50 years now. Most flock here regularly to celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation and to experience the intercession and blessing of Mary Help of Christians. The novena is regularly prayed every Saturday at the morning and evening Masses.

DON BOSCO YOUTH SERVICES (DBYS)

On September 8, 1986, the Regional Superior Fr. Thomas Panakezham inaugurated DBYS. This was the brainchild of Fr. Chrys Saldanha, the then Provincial. It was to be a means of reaching youth beyond the formal institutional presences. It would cater to the training and all round development of youth in the province and especially in Bombay city.

The following were the objectives: to make available audiovisual resources and other equipment for youth training programmes; to provide a healthy and educative recreational experience for youth during the holidays; to equip youth leaders with skills for responsible leadership in society; to offer counselling facilities; to educate young people to the meaning of love and parenthood; to conduct awareness programmes for the marginalized.

Fr. Loddy Pires was the first Director. Several Salesians: Fr. Godfrey DSa, Fr. Ian Doulton, Fr. Godfrey D’Souza, Fr. Vivian D’Souza Fr. Ambrose Pereira, and Fr. Lionel Braganza worked here. Several programmes were conducted - and continue - throughout the year such as: the Jesus trip, Education to Love, Youth Fest, Jordan Experience, Night Vigil, Hill Thrill. In 1993, the FMA also came in with Sr. Marie D’Silva and Sr. Caroline D’Souza

Today [2009], the DBYS is divided into 4 departments: Fr. Boni D’Souza, the Director with Counselling, Job Placement, and Hospitality; Fr. Glenn Lowe with AVEC: The Archdiocesan Value Education Commission, and BIS; Fr. Wilfred D’Souza the Catechetical Coordinator of the Deanery and Fr. Brian Moras Vocation Promoter and Youth Animation.

TEJ-PRASARINI : Province Information Office

In July 1993 Fr. Peter Gonsalves was appointed by the Provincial Fr. Loddy Pires to set up this Information Office. He moved here from Pune, bringing with him the Production office of the Catechtical Centre, which he was running there. There followed the editing and publishing of the SDB West, the dissemination of news items to ANS and to secular, catholic papers and to Salesian communities. The Provincial Chapter of 1995 gave it official recognition and it expanded into a full fledged publishing house of “multi-media resources for the youth and the family.” Today Fr. Joaquim Fernandes is in charge and the Office has diversified into many valuable areas of production and training.

DON BOSCO’S MADONNA

This is the Catholic periodical with the widest circulation in India today. 94,500 copies reach homes and institutions – 82000 in India and 12,500 abroad with an annual growing number of copies.

The brainchild of Fr. Aurelius Maschio it began in 1937, first in the form of a two page folder and then into a 16 page booklet. By 1960 it had 28 pages and in 1971 its present size of 36 pages. This magazine has contributed to a phenomenal rise in devotion to Mary Help of Christians and St. John Bosco. Its popularity consists in its being a Catholic Family Magazine. No subscription fees are charged; no advertisements are permitted and yet, the contributions more than cover up the cost of printing and mailing. The present full time editor is Fr. Ian Doulton.

THE ASSOCIATION OF SALESIAN COOPERATORS

In the Special Provincial Chapter of January 1973, it was recommended that the Salesian Cooperators be started in the Province. The visit of Fr. J. Raineri, the Councillor from Rome in 1974 gave it an added push.

Fr. Alfred Mariotta was appointed the first Provincial Delegate. By 1975 three Units at Panjim, Andheri and Lonavla had started functioning. The First Promise Day was held on July 11, 1976. Mr. John D’Souza was the first Provincial Coordinating Secretary. He attended the World Congress in Rome in 1978 and was chosen to represent the English speaking countries.

THE PROVINCIAL FEDERATION OF PAST PUPILS

Fr. Alfred Mariotta was appointed the Delegate for the Indian National Federation of Past Pupils with the office at Provincial House, Matunga, Bombay. The monthly magazine Alumnus was launched. He was then also the Provincial Delegate and the Federation was established on January 24^th 1974. There were about 1000 life members in 11 functioning Past Pupils Units from the states of Goa, Gujarat and Maharashtra.

Over the years animated by the coordinators and led by their presidents, the past pupils organized many programmes, such as project for the international year of the handicapped (1981); a centenary tournament (1988); career guidance workshops (1995); cultural programmes and get-togethers.

Since 1998, Fr. Elias Dias has been the Provincial Delegate of the Salesian Family.

DON BOSCO DEVELOPMENT SOCIETY (DBDS), MUMBAI,

The DBDS was launched in January 2001 with the aim of initiating and furthering development programmes that would improve the situation of the poor and disadvantaged sections of society, especially underprivileged and marginalized youngsters. It carries out its mission through the various Don Bosco centres in the states of Maharashtra, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, or through programmes that it directly implements. The Founder Director of DBDS was Fr. Anaclete D’Mello, and the first CEO was Mr. Lourdes Baptista. During its initial years, DBDS carried out an extensive Participatory Strategic
Planning (PSP) process all over the province to understand the needs of the people and to plan appropriate responses. Based on these planning processes, the programmes presently being promoted by DBDS are: Community Organization and Empowerment, Universal Education, Skills Development, Agricultural and Ecological Development, Child Protection and Child Rights.

Present Activities:

Provincial Office, Shrine, Development Office, Provincial Office of Salesian Cooperators and Past Pupils, Don Bosco Youth Services (DBYS), Don Bosco Recruitment Services (DBRS), Archdiocesan Value Education Centre (AVEC), Chaplaincy, Publications: Don Bosco’s Madonna, Youth pastoral department, Tej-Prasarini and Don Bosco Communications, Tej-Kiran Studio, Prafulta Counselling Centre, Bosco Information services (BIS), Bosco Plus – Evening Outreach for Slum children: Project Taare Zamin Par

Contact Information:

Don Bosco Provincial House

Nathalal Parekh marg, Post Bag 16. 637

Matunga

Mumbai 400 019

Phone:

Reception: 022-24 18 03 14 / 16 / 17

Secretary: 022-24 16 80 66