Calcutta (India). From January 29 to February 7, 2018, the Mother General of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians is visiting Mary Help of Christians Province (INC). On January 29, 2018, Auxilium School in Bandel welcomed Mother Yvonne Reungoat, the Provincial, Sr. Rose Ezarath; Sr. Runita Borja, Councilor for Youth Pastoral; and Sr. Alaide Deretti, Councilor for the Missions.
Mother made her presence felt with her smile. The sisters, teachers, and students received them at the school entrance to welcome them. Sr. Elizabeth Valliyil, community Animator, offered them the garland, traditional symbol of welcome of Bengala.
The students of the IX and XI classes, wearing the ethnic costume of Bengala, acted as wings for the arrival of the guests and civil personalities. Marching to the rhythm of the drum, Mother was accompanied to the school chapel. During the walk, Mother met the little ones of the primary school who had balloons to make the moment festive.
After the prayer, Mother Yvonne was led outside where the FMA offered her bouquets of flowers and the typical shawl of India. The Directors offered their greeting and the students sang a song. A group of girls danced, and the students of the Middle School performed gymnastics. In her message to the students, Mother General said: “You are the joy of our life. You fill my heart with much hope for the future”. She expressed encouraging words for the sisters and the educators. She recommended to the students to be happy and walk in joy, following the Founders, St. John Bosco and St. Mary Domenica Mazzarello. The Provincial, Sr. Rose Ezarath, with the teachers and some students, accompanied Mother to a field where they planted a small tree as a symbol of life and of hope. The encounter ended with words of gratitude from the Principal, Sr. Regina Joseph.
The group of teachers were able to remain with Mother for a serene and spontaneous dialog. Mother Yvonne stressed that education is fundamental for the present and the future and is the greatest mission entrusted to us by God.
Sr. Soumya and Sr. Nancy of the Missionary Sisters of Mary Help of Christians (MSMHC) expressed their joy at having met Mother Yvonne and offered her bouquets and the shawl.
In the afternoon, Mother Yvonne, accompanied by the Provincial, Sr. Rose Ezarath, Sr. Runita Borja, Sr. Alaide Deretti, Sr. Elizabeth Valliyl, Sr. Annie Thevarkunnel, and Sr. Regina Joseph, visited Don Bosco Seminary and the Shrine of Our Lady of Bandel.
The Rector of the Seminary, Fr. Antony Earathara SDB, the Salesians, and the Seminarians welcomed Mother who spoke to the young men about the importance of the call, exhorting them to meet Jesus and to keep the gift of their vocation alive. She reminded them of the importance of joy and said, “Be open with your formators and allow your formators to guide you”.
On January 31, Mother participated in the Celebration for the Inauguration of the Association of the Devotees of Mary Help of Christians (ADMA) at Auxilium, the Dum Dum Provincial House.
On February 1, she met with the young women in formation at the Auxilium Aspirantate in Bamunmura. Mother visited the Social Promotion Center in Barasat.
Over the next few days, Mother will continue her animation visit in the various houses of the Province of Calcutta where she will meet with the young people, the FMA, Salesian Family Groups, and educators.
