Christ is Alive @ Becchi Don Bosco

Christ is alive today through the young people who are “the now of God.” Pope’s day seminar was organized on 29th June 2019. In the morning, the feast of Sts. Peter and Paul was celebrated and solemnized in the Holy Eucharist. Then, the Pope’s day seminar was conducted on the theme “Christ is Alive” presenting Christus Vivit, the Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation of His Holiness, Pope Francis to young people and to the entire people of God. The guest speaker was Fr. John Wilson SDB, the youth director of INM. The seminar started at 9.30 a.m. with the prayer service in Don Bosco Hall. The Rector of the community Fr. Bellarmine Fernando SDB welcomed the gathering quoting Pope Francis that young people are “the now of God.” Salesians from Chennai Province and Sisters from different congregations participated in the Seminar. At first Br. Oswalt Devadass SDB presented a bird’s eye view of the document stating that this is the first document to engage directly in dialogue with the young in the history of the Church. Br. Varghese Thomas VC expounded the theology of Youth staring from the Old Testament to the New Testament and from the History of the Church. Br. Balasingam Peter SDB elaborated on God’s love for the young people and how they could enjoy the present and grow in life without uprooting themselves from the treasures of the elders. After the break, Br. Fidel Thachil SDB presented on the Youth Ministry, Vocation and Discernment. It is to be noted that these topics are very dear to the Salesian youth ministry. The Guest speaker Fr. John Wilson SDB started his presentation explaining the three most used words in the document ‘Faith, Vocation and Holiness.’ The speaker saw this whole document in the view of youth ministry and he further added that young people needs to be encouraged, loved with humility and mutual relationship between the young people and the mentor as a necessary methodology. After his presentation, the floor participated actively in the panel discussion. Emerging Church: Prospects, Challenges, Relevance & Response (DBTS - 3), was released by Fr. Bellarmine Fernando SDB and it has Fr. Victor Antonyraj SDB, the Vice Rector of Becchi Don Bosco, as its editor. The copies were received by Fr. Charles Panackel SDB, Fr. Don Bosco Augustine SDB and Fr. Jerome Vallabaraj SDB who have contributed for towards this book. The seminar ended with Papal anthem. Finally, Fr. Don Bosco Augustine SDB, the Principal of DBTC thanked Fr. Victor Antonyraj SDB, the 2nd Year Brothers and the community for organizing this event magnificently.