Don Bosco Relic Charges Youth By Nikita Chodankar & Banzelao Teixeira sdbPanjim, Aug. 18. The Salesian communities of Don Bosco Oros and Pinguli animated a night vigil for the youth of the Sindhudurgh diocese on 18th August 2011. More than 200 youngsters from various parishes, along with their animators and parish priests, thronged to Oros to spend the evening with Don Bosco, the saint about whom they had heard so much in the run up to this event.
The lovely music rendered by the choir and animated by Fr. Simao Fernandes brought life to the gathering with the soul stirring devotional hymns and religious action songs. The youngsters were on the floor, tapping their feet to the beats and wriggling their bodies to the music. Lester Dourado who travelled all the way from Goa to be a part of this experience exclaimed, ''The music was simply awesome! I enjoyed every bit of the evening - the sessions, the prayer moments and the singing.''
Frs. Bernardino, Felix, Richard and Avil animated the assembly with touching testimonies and motivational talks inviting the youngsters to imitate Don Bosco who believed in himself, trusted in the providence of God and lived a life enthused by the presence of God. Another beautiful feature of the evening with Don Bosco was the sight to see several youngsters approach the sacrament of confession.
Capuchin Father Sanjay Fernandes who had accompanied his youngsters expressed his sentiments, ''The coming of Don Bosco in our midst is a spiritual renewal for me.'' Being a former pupil of a Don Bosco institution, he felt emotionally attached to Don Bosco by visiting the relic. Lovina Fernandes and Roshelle Fernandes felt lucky to visit the place, kiss the relic and be part of the celebration. They expressed, ''Going to Italy is not possible, it gives us great pleasure to be with the youth to see Saint John Bosco.''