In a significant development, the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians, Figlie di Maria Ausiliatrice (FMA) fondly known as Salesian Sisters of Don Bosco, ushered in a three-year preparation for the Centenary of FMA’s presence in India to mark the arrival of the six pioneer Missionaries who set their foot for the first time on 22 November 1922 in Tanjore, which is in the present southern Indian State of Tamil Nadu.
The Salesian Sisters of India, after days of prayer, dialogue and planning, are all set to rekindle and relive the missionary impulse of the origins as they embark upon a three-year preparation to celebrate the Centenary of the Arrival of the First Missionaries to India. ‘With Mary Through the Course of the Century (1922-2022) and Beyond’ is the theme that will accompany them.
Some of them had made professions just a few weeks before their departure and none of them had made their Perpetual Profession. Thanks to that missionary zeal, India too had the joy of receiving our first pioneer missionaries.
Following are the motto of the three-year plan:
Theme: With Mary through the Course of the Century (1922-2022) and beyond …
2019-20
Give thanks: “Let us truly thank the Lord who gives us many graces” (L 37,10)
Living our FMA Identity with Gratitude
2020-21
Accept the mandate: “I entrust them to you.”
Reviving the Family Spirit and strengthening Community Communion
2021-22
Plan the future boldly: “Courage! Let us go ahead with a great and generous heart” (L 47,12)
Prophets and witnesses for a transformed society in the style of synodality.
-Sr. Teresa Joseph, FMA
