The community of Don Bosco Kokar, Ranchi hosted the dinner in Fr. Stefano Martoglio’s honour and about 40 confreres from the communities of Ranchi zone from the states of Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh and Odisha had gathered for this historic event. It was a moment of Salesian fraternity and joy. Fr. Martoglio addressed the confreres in his short good night talk, during which he spoke of the importance of Salesians and the Salesian mission in India, a presence that is important for the country as well as for the Salesian world.

26th February, the first Sunday of Lent began with much festivity for Fr. Martoglio, as the parishioners of Christ King Parish, Hesag, Hatia, Ranchi welcomed him with the traditional Mundari dance to the Parish Church accompanied by the Salesian confreres. During his homily Fr. Martoglio shared various insights. He said that there are about 2000 Salesian houses in 135 countries, where in the Salesian mission is carried out with fidelity in the spirit of union and communion with the Salesian Congregation. He exhorted that the first Sunday of Lent was an invitation to make a journey of inner conversion. Jesus overcame temptation by responding strongly to the devil that his security was only in God His Father. Jesus assures of his presence and help when we face temptations.

After the Holy Eucharist, and the felicitations that followed, Fr. Martoglio addressed the Salesian Family members. It was preceded by words of welcome by the Rector, Fr. Pradeep Tirkey and a welcome song by the Salesian Cooperators of Hesag Unit. In his address he expressed his great joy in meeting and interacting with the Salesian Family. He beautifully summarized:”You are an expression of the reality of the sense of the the Church, an expression of the spirit of the Salesian Congregation which is union and communion. Every group of the Salesian Family is invited to live its charismatic fidelity in the service of the youth”.

He also answered to three questions, pertaining to his impressions of visiting India, the condition of the youth in the world and the aspect of evangelization.  Responding to the first question, he said that India is not a country but a continent with its diverse contexts and cultures. In response to the second, he expressed joy at the presence of many children in India which is unusual in Italy and in Europe. He explained further that there is certain diversity and at the same time many similarities among youth of the world. The difference is because of diverse situations and contexts, but at the same time they are also called to union and communion. In responding to the third question on Evangelization, he affirmed that evangelization is the core Salesian pastoral responsibility, and each one is responsible for making God present among people.

The third part of the day, wad dedicated to the visit of the sub-centre of Don Bosco Hesag, Hatia wherein Fr. Martoglio drove through the jungle of Jharkhand to Rurungkocha. He was welcomed warmly with the homely dance to the rhythm of tribals drums. He expressed that the presence of the people in Rurungkocha is the expression of the sense of the congregation, and a miracle of the spirit and of the Salesian mission. He thanked the Provincial, the Salesians, teachers and formators for the service they rendered to the young people to prepare them for a good future.

The day concluded with Fr. Martoglio’s visit to the campus of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians. In his short address, he told the novices of the richness and beauty of Salesian vocation. He stressed on the importance of prayer in one’s vocational journey, and the need to grow in their vocation with great passion for God and the poor.

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