Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Rector Major’s message to the grow numerically, spiritually and charismatically. First of
all, we need to grow in numbers because there are so many
salesian family young people in India who need us for their education,
empowerment and fruitful insertion into society. If we
province of Chennai
Rector Major visits three unique young people. Created in collaboration with the Sports
Development Authority of Tamil Nadu, the academy has
salesian works world class facilites for training boys and girls in sports
I
and games. The Don Bosco-McFerran Sports Hostel,
n the afternoon of 4 February, the Rector Major visited
attached to the Academy, can accommodate around
three unique Salesian works in Chennai - the Don Bosco
100 students.
Sports Academy, the Don Bosco Beatitudes Centre, and
Anbu Illam (Home of love) which is the Centre for the At the Beatitudes Social Welfare Centre in Vysarpadi, the
Young at Risk. Rector Major thanked God for `the mighty service that is
being done to the poorest of the poor in the name of Don
At the Sports Academy in Wisdom Town, the Rector
Bosco.` The Centre was started by Fr. Orpheus Mantovani,
Major blessed the new football stadium, and presided over
an Italian Salesian missionary, in one of Chennai`s worst
the finals of the Don Bosco-McFerran national football
slums in the early 1960s. It has remained the most visible
tournament. The tournament was started in memory of
expression of the Salesians` closeness to the poorest of
Fr. J. McFerran, an Irish Salesian missionary who was a
the poor. The Rector Major was moved at seeing the
great promoter of sports in Chennai. The Rector Major was
variety of services this centre offers to the down trodden
happy to learn that the Salesians in Chennai have produced
of the city of Chennai and was loud in his appreciation of
several sports persons of international fame. On this
everything.
occasion, he felicitated Don Bosco Sports Achievers like
Ms. Ilavazhagi (World Women`s Champion in Carrom), The services of the Beatitudes Centre has been acclaimed
Mr. Viswanathan Anand (World Chess champion), and by the State and Central governments too. Once, after
Mr. Ravikumar David for his lifetime contribution to visiting this centre, Mrs. Indira Gandhi, former Prime
football in Tamil Nadu. Minister of India, exclaimed, ``What you do here is
marvellous, something very few people will dare to do.``
The Rector Major addressed the gathering during which he
In 1995, the Centre received the National Award for the
spoke of the importance of sports in the Salesian system of
Welfare of the Handicapped, and in 1998, the Tamil Nadu
education. `The playground,` he said, `teaches us that in life
State Award for the Welfare of the Disabled.
we have no enemies but only partners in the game, who are
also our friends and whose happiness is also our concern.` At Don Bosco Anbu Illam at Vyasarpadi, the Rector Major
met the children and young people who had gathered there
The Don Bosco Sports Academy, an initiative of
from various Salesian Centres for the Young at Risk in
Fr. Gerard Nelliyottukonam SDB, is a concrete expression
Chennai. He expressed his appreciation and love for them
of the Salesians` commitment to the total development of
and the Congregation`s commitment to them. Anbu Illam
runs an astounding network of services in favour of the when he accepted her as his mother and teacher. Citing the
young at risk, the most vulnerable and neglected section Constitutions, he said, like Don Bosco, `we believe that
of the country`s youth. Mary is present among us and continues her mission as
Mother of the Church and Help of Christians.` (C 8).
Conclusion of platinum jubilee In this Salesian devotion to Mary are highlighted the
``motherly`` aspects, in the sense that she gives an
celebrations unconditional welcome to young people in need or in
situations where they are at risk spiritually or socially,
T he four-day visit of the Rector Major to the Province and shows kindness to be the fundamental attitude in our
of Chennai in connection with the Platinum Jubilee of relationship with them as educators.
the Province came to a close with a solemn thanksgiving The Gospel story presents Mary to us as a true woman,
Eucharist in the Sacred Heart College indoor stadium at full of kindness, and attentive to small details. She notices
Tirupattur on 6 February. For the entire province, it was a the lack of wine at Cana, and realizes that there is a danger
day of memories and thanksgiving. of the joy turning to sorrow. Mary`s greatness consists in
her ability to discern not only the distress of the couple
The Eucharistic celebration began with a soul lifting caught unawares, but the presence of Jesus, and to direct
dance by the students of the Salesian Sisters, symbolically others to him: ``Do whatever he tells you`` (v.5).
gathering the hearts of everyone into a song of praise and
thanksgiving. At the introduction of the liturgy the glorious Mary appears at Cana both as a believer and as one who
generates faith. the Gospel of John, says that because
works of the pioneers and builders of the province were
of the miracle worked through Mary`s intercession, the
remembered with gratitude.
disciples believed in him.
The Rector Major said he wanted this Eucharist to be The Rector Major concluded saying that at the school of
an expression of our gratitude to the Lord who has been Cana, Mary teaches us four important attitudes for our life
blessing us with vocations, to Our Lady who has been a as believers.
mother and teacher to all of us, to Don Bosco who has
In the first place, to share the ups and downs of men and
fascinated us with his charism, to the first missionaries
women, to participate in the trials and sadness, the hopes
who brought Don Bosco to India, and to the Indian people
and joys of our contemporaries.
who welcomed us.
Secondly, to be attentive to the needs of others, to live
The Rector Major chose the Mass of Our Lady Help other-centred lives, and not be self-centred. The words,
of Christians and used the occasion to reflect upon the They have no wine` is a proof of her ability to note what
role of Mary in our congregation and in the life of the is lacking.
Salesian Family.
In the third place, to discern the presence of Jesus and to
For Don Bosco, he said, Mary was very much a living turn to him, as the only one capable of responding to our
presence from the time of his dream at the age of nine deepest needs and real life problems.
And fourthly, to be believers who are credible, so that The highpoint of the evening, however, was the historic
our own faith may be such as to make possible the faith platinum jubilee address of the Rector Major, who took
of others. everyone by surprise by his ellorukkum vanakkam, (Tamil
We are urged to take Mary into our own home, as did the for `greetings to all of you!` With the presence here of
beloved disciple, so that she may be for us, as she was for the Rector Major, his vicar Fr. Adriano Bregolin, his
him and for Don Bosco, a mother and teacher who will secretary Fr Huan Bartolome, the Regional Councillor,
enable us too to be helpers of the young. Fr Maria Arokiam, and all the provincials of South Asia,
he said, Tirupattur had become the centre of the Salesian
world for today.
Rector Major visits the Cradle
Though it was his first visit to Tirupattur, the Rector
of Salesians in South India Major said, he had heard much about this `holy land` of
the Salesians, which has rightly been called `the cradle
T he sprawling grounds of the Sacred Heart College in
Tirupattur, the first institute of Higher Education in the
Province of Chennai, were transformed into a magnificent
of the Salesians in South India`. In 1934, the province
was started in this district, with the Provincial House in
sea of smiling faces in the evening of 5 February. The Vellore, and was only later shifted to Madras.
flexo-banners, the fluttering flags, the twinkling lights and The Rector Major remembered with gratitude `the great
the colourful festoons all around set the mood for the day`s
pioneers who laboured to build up this province,` starting
major event -- a grand reception to Fr. Pascual Chavez, the
with Fr Tomatis and his companions in Thanjavur, and
ninth successor of Don Bosco, and the celebration of the
Platinum Jubilee of the Chennai Province at Tirupattur, later Bishop Mederlet, Archbishop Louis Mathias,
the cradle of the Salesians in South India. Fr. Cinato, the first provincial, and the other provincials
who nurtured the province. The great Fr.Carreno, he
After the traditional welcome on arrival, the Rector said, deserved a thunderous applause, for the daring
Major and the other dignitaries went to the chapel for a initiative he took in promoting local vocations and thus
brief moment of prayer during which they renewed the
ensuring the future of the Salesian works in India. He
consecration of the province to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
also remembered the first Tamil (and Indian) Salesians,
The Rector Major was then taken to the venue of the
meeting, with the College National Cadet Corps giving Fr. Ignatius Muthu and Bro. Savarimuthu.
the guard of honour. He said this `glorious province` of Chennai has grown,
A hush fell on the mammoth audience as the Rector like the mustard seed of the Gospel parable, into a great
Major was led to the colossal stage, accompanied by his tree with seven provinces today. It is a marvelous gift
Vicar, the Regional Councillor and all the provincials of of the Lord and we are here to thank Him for it, said the
South Asia. And then came a thunderous applause as the Rector Major.
Rector Major stepped forward and waved his hands in a
gesture that said, `I love you; I love you as Don Bosco Fr. Jefferson, Bro.Anand,
Bro. Selvan, Bro. Jagadish
loves you.` with Fr. Dominic Matheus
uninitiated. large number of Salesians from the and perpetual profession in 1952. He
three Provinces of Chennai, Tiruchy was ordained a Priest in 1955.
departed on the morning of 29 May and Bangalore, his own younger During his lifetime he has held several
at the Citadel. Rev. Fr. Stanislaus sister, Sr. Mary Manjil, fma, Salesian responsible positions in the Congregation
Swamikannu, sdb, Provincial, Sisters, and other religious and lay and in the Church, as Vice Provincial,
presided over the Mass. A good people were present for the occasion.
Rector, Parish Priest, Novice Master,
number of Salesians and lay people The body of Fr. Ittyachan was finally
Spiritual Director and Headmaster at:
participated in the Mass. After laid to rest at 6:00 pm. 29 May.
St. Mary’s Co-Cathedral, Armenian St.,
the Mass the body was taken for Fr. Ittyachan was born on 7 October Chennai, St. Bede’s, San Thome, St.
internment to the Salesian cemetery 1921 at Thrissur, Kerala, of a Francis Xavier’s, Broadway, Chennai,
at Don Bosco, Tirupattur, Vellore Dt. respectable Syrian Catholic family. Our Lady of Lourdes Shrine, Perambur,
The funeral Mass was held at 4:00 He joined the Salesian aspirantate in Don Bosco Beatitudes, Vyasarpadi,
pm, 29 May 2008. The Most Rev. P. 1946 as a graduate in Mathematics and Don Bosco, Pannur, Thiruvallur Dist.,
Sounderaj, sdb, Bishop of Vellore, Education (BSc., B.Ed.). He made his Salesian College, Yercaud, Salem Dt.,
presided over the funeral Mass. A first profession as a Salesian in 1947 Don Bosco, Vellore, Vellore Dt. and
16 Don bosco july 2008
sa l es i an
Sacred Heart College, Tirupattur, and draw a cartoon of the distracted Lady and Don Bosco. That he was
Vellore Dt. He also volunteered to student on it. The mischievous lad elected to represent the South Indian
work for five years as Parish Priest needed no other reminder. He taught Salesian Province of Madras three
and Headmaster at Don Bosco, by example and by words. I recall times at the Congregation’s General
Kohima, Nagaland, during the partial one of my first experiences as a Chapter, speaks volumes for the
expulsion of foreign missionaries fourteen-year-old aspirant at Sacred esteem with which he was held.
from North East India. Heart High School, Tirupattur. One
As Fr. Sebastian Karottemprel,
evening, five of us were assigned to
Fr. Ittyachan was a versatile genius. sdb, says, “for me, Ittyachan was a
clean the toilets. Brooms in hand we
As G.K. Chesterton puts it, “non perfect Salesian and priest. He was
stood before the toilet doors hesitant
tetigit quod non ornavit” (whatever he to begin the job. Fr. Ittyachan who an independent spirit and at times
touched, he embellished). He had a gift was doing his Practical Training as out-spoken and critical of certain
for languages. He could read, write and a cleric happened to pass by. He saw policies. This trait of character and
speak English, Sanskrit, Malayalam, us standing with brooms in hand. He temperament did not endear him to
Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Italian and understood the situation. Tucking up some. Perhaps this fact prevented
Angami (Nagaland). He was the first his cassock, he took a broom from him from his being fully useful to the
Indian to learn Angami and celebrate one of us and started cleaning one Church and the Congregation in roles
Mass and preach in that language. of the toilets. We needed no further of leadership”.
goading to do our assigned task. In the death of Fr. Ittyachan Manjil,
He was a talented artist, cartoonist,
actor, and outstanding in sports and He was a good story-teller and writer. Salesian India, especially the
games. A born teacher, he could make As students we would eagerly listen Province of Chennai, has lost a
the intricacies of Mathematics simple to his unravelling of the plot in all its pioneer and an intelligent, resourceful
and intelligible to the uninitiated. minutest details. He published several and indefatigable Salesian.
When, at times, some students would books in an age when publishing May the Good Lord grant him
be distracted in class, he would not books was a rare thing. eternal rest.
draw their attention by pulling them up Above all, he was a great Salesian
but would rather turn to the blackboard George Palackapilly SDB
who loved the Holy Eucharist, Our
a d vt
I
ndia is a vast sub-continent populated
with one thousand million habitants,
characterised by a complex cultural
structure, with thousands of ethnic
and many different languages. In 1991,
Kolkata celebrated the 300th anniversary
of its foundation. As the capital of the
British India until 1911, Kolkata has been
the centre of social, cultural and political
reforms. During its history the city has
produced an almost unparallel cultural
richness, and is still the economic
headquarters for the Eastern region of
India, attracting millions of migrants in
search of employment and new life.
At the same time Kolkata has become
infamous for its poverty, slums and
daily struggle for survival that many
of its people. Amongst the poorest of
Offering ‘ASHA’
these are the children, living alone
and working on the streets and railway
stations. These children scattered in the
train station or in some parts of the city,
have in most cases lost contact with their
families. According to the UNICEF,
there are 100,000 children in the streets
of Kolkata. The hopless, rootless and roofless children find
The causes of this misery are of all sorts: a shelter that makes a lasting impression and a
poverty, illiteracy, death or sickness
of parents, drunkenness of the father,
permanent livelihood in the various premises of
prostitution by the mother, conjugal Ashalayam, Kolkata.
violence, divorce….. In a constant
are daily in contact with more than 5,000 open their hearts to him. He listened to
struggle to live, these children have to
children who are still living and earning their problems and stories. Their first
use any and whatever means possible
off the city streets. problem was having a shelter, because
to survive: searching garbage dumps,
at night they were harassed by adults,
begging, stealing, sweeping trains, The Origin senior street kids and others. Whatever
polishing shoes, performing spectacles Don Bosco Ashalayam has its humble money they could save was also stolen. A
on the streets; and of course, avoiding beginning on the platforms of Howrah solution was found and on 8th December
all the multiple dangers: threats from the station in 1985. Fr. Anthony Thaiparambil, 1985, 14 boys walked into a shelter for
older children, rejection from society, a Salesian priest, while passing through the first time. Thus was born Don Bosco
rape, sickness, drugs, prostitution, etc. Howrah station on one of his several Ashalayam at Pilkhana. And eventually,
It is in this situation that the work for journeys noticed many children on the shelter became a home offering hope
street children began in Kolkata. From a the platforms. They seemed to have to the hopeless and rootless and roofless
tiny seed that sprouted in Pilkhana, near made the railway station their home. children in and around Kolkata.
Howrah station, Don Bosco Ashalayam They survived by means of begging,
has grown into a mighty banyan tree rag picking, checking trains for lost or Don Bosco, the inspiration
abandoned goods and most of the times Don Bosco (1815-1888) the founder of
offering shade and succour to thousands
for food. They looked helpless and lost. the Salesian Society, known as the father
of children. Ashalayam, as we see it
He decided to do something for them. and friend of abandoned youngsters,
today, is a gigantic family, working for
He started visiting them regularly. But welcomed the roaming children on the
the rehabilitation of street and destitute
the children found it difficult to accept streets of Turin, Italy, into his home. The
children in Kolkata and the Districts
a stranger because they considered the industrial revolution had caused rampant
of Howrah, Nadia, 24 Parganas (N),
ordinary and decently dressed people as unemployment and poverty which left
Burdwan and Kharagpur, irrespective
their enemies. these children helpless, homeless and
of caste, race, religion or gender since
hopeless. Malnourishment and ignorance
1985. Currently around 600 children are However, after repeated attempts minimised the chances of employment or
living in 21 residential homes (5 for girls) gradually the children accepted Fr. a bright future for these youngsters. Don
and 3 night shelters (1 for girls) and they Anthony as their friend and began to Bosco, a young catholic priest, began an
Don bosco SEPTEMBER 2008 15
SALESIAN
oratory for gathering these boys. And for education in formal institutions, AND FINAL SETTLEMENT CELL
later began to offer these boys shelter, medication and nutrition; NATIONAL which tries to provide assistance for job
literacy and trade skills. Gradually many CHILD LABOUR PROGRAMME seeking, self employment, purchase of
recognised his work and came to support (NCLP), a project partially financed by land, making a house, etc.
him. Slowly the boys’ self respect and the Government of India which weans
away the child labourers/prospective
Methodology
self confidence were built up and they The uniqueness of Ashalayam’s
turned out to be responsible and useful child labourers from the labour market
methodology is the division of its
members of the society. and tries to provide education to them;
activities into two broad areas:- Curative
CHILDLINE Project, (a Government of
This was the inspiration behind the work aspect and Preventive aspect.
India sponsored Programme) provides
for street children in Kolkata. 24-hour service on the streets and 1. CURATIVE ASPECT: Curing the
Don Bosco Ashalayam is a railway platforms catering to the needs children of their wounds (physical,
of lost children or children in distress by mental and emotional) and helping them
movement which has been way of either restoring them back to their forget their traumatic past through a
founded to protect children families or providing other services, lifestyle with a family-like set-up. For
from the evils of our present either direct or referral; OUTREACH this the 21 Homes have been opened up
day society. It offers them AND STREET CONTACT Programme providing the children with proper and
possibilities to blossom in in the streets and stations of Howrah, professional mental health support, medical
an environment that assures Kolkata, Burdwan and Kharagpur which support, basic education, formal education
them security, love, hope and reaches out to the children and youth and and training in professional skills.
tries to wean them away from the streets
acceptance. The very word and stations to the institutional care of 2. PREVENTIVE ASPECT: Preventing the
“Ashalayam”, in Sanskrit means, Don Bosco Ashalayam or refer them, to children from landing up on the streets
“A Home of Hope” and it really partner NGOs; SANJOG project which and railway platforms by reaching out
emphasises on meeting the tries to remedy the emotional setback to them where they are through various
activities and programmes under our
needs of the homeless and that the children have received from the
different projects like Childline, Non-
helpless children. society while they were on the streets and
railway stations by constant counseling Formal Education Project, NCLP, Outreach
and guidance on their career prospects; , Street Contact Programmes, etc.
Ashalayam aims to… VOCATIONAL TRAINING project The strategy devised for the socio-
The child on the street is totally at a loss which trains the children in various economic rehabilitation of the
and the aim of Ashalayam is to make professional trades like carpentry, bakery, beneficiaries is reached through the 6
each one experience the lost warmth welding, Tailoring, etc; PLACEMENT steps as detailed below:-
and love of the family. If any child has
a family, every effort is made to help
him/her get back to it and if the child is Established
roofless and rootless, Ashalayam helps member of
him/her to form his/her own family in its
Co
the society
a
nt
ing
th
eS
of these youth.
A unique approach WEANING
oc
1. What did you feel when you heard the news that you will
be heading the forthcoming Salesian Brothers Congress as its
Convener?
It came as a bolt from the blue. I least expected such a responsibility. As I
have always accepted challenges happily and, of course in a spirit religious
obedience and humble resignation to the will of god manifested through my
superiors, I said ‘Yes.’ But when I thought of the volume of work before me I
felt helpless; then it occurred to me that the assignment before me was one
of collective responsibility and nor of one man’s show. Now I am at it.
2. How do you feel as the Brothers Congress is fast
approaching?
I feel very much at ease. I have been an early bird and
I know that things are moving in the right direction.
The Members of the South Asian Commission
for Brothers are of immense help to me and the
local team that our Province has given me takes
care of things at the local level. The feel is one of
confidence and achievement.
4. Are all the provinces cooperating to make this Family. We believe that the Congress will be a source
a successful event so as to revitalize the Brothers of encouragement for the Salesian Brothers to pursue
Vocations? their own unique call to be Salesian Brother and to
find happiness and joy; fulfillment and contentment;
Let us feel proud of our Salesian solidarity born of our unique achievement and accomplishment. We also hope
family spirit. There is much cooperation from every member that there will be an appreciable rise in the number of
Province. The Brothers Congress is the celebration of the Brothers in the Congregation.
Salesian Family. Of course Chennai, the host Province,
and Tiruchy our brother Province are playing a major and a 6. What kind of administrative changes do you
prominent role; and, of course, this is to be expected. I am visualize as a result of this Brothers Congress?
very happy that the Salesian Provinces of South Asia have
I feel that the Congregations has come to recognize
joined hands for the success of this mega event.
the role of the Salesian Brother in the Salesian Family
5. What would be the expected results of this much and a variety of administrative assignments and
talked about Brothers Congress? responsibilities as animators have been placed on their
shoulders.
First of all the Congress is to be an occasion for the Salesian If the Salesian Brother continues to be in the
Brothers to meet to review their own unique Salesian Call mainstream of the society there will be much joy and
in the context of the modern society, and to understand happiness in his vocation as Brother.
their own role in the
great Salesian 7. What is the response from the Generalate
and the Salesian Provincial Conference of
South Asia?
The response from our Rector Major and the Generalate
has been very encouraging. Our Rector Major has been
very prompt with his replies to my letters. I must say
that he has been one of the first to sent his message
for the Congress. He has also delegated the Economer
General for the Congress. We are very happy that a
Salesian Brother has been chosen as the Economer
General of the Congregation.
The Regional of South Asia,
Rev. Fr. Maria Arokiam, has also been of immense help
and support.
8. As you were preparing for the Congress,
what achievement of yours comes to your
Photo: Glorious steve
mind.
I have loved my call to be a Salesian Brother. Of
course, my parents could not and did not
understand this way of life; so do many
others. But I am very happy that
my sphere of influence over the
youth to whom I am sent has
not been diminished in any
way because I am a Brother I
have changed the lives of the
young whom I have served
with joy and zeal. This would
continue to my last breath.