4592(IV)_"Before I formed you in the womb, I chose you to be mine"

Interview with Br. Amilcar Da Silva, a student at Don Bosco University, Guwahati - India

December 27, 2017

By Fr. Amilcar Da Silva
ITM Vice-province

Guwahati, India, 27 December 2017 --

What makes you joyful to this form of Salesian vocation?

At the outset, I would like to declare that I am extremely happy with the salesian brotherhood vocation which I do firmly believe a call from our Lord and my response to His call. It takes me to ponder on the phrases from the Bible: “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you through and through, I chose you to be mine. Before you left your mother’s side I called to you, my child, to be my sign...” (Jeremiah 1:5). Meditating over this verse gives me a deep sense of fulfillment. In addition to that, the Psalm 28 we recite from the Breviary/Prayer Book: “In the Lord, is my hope, In the Lord, is my help. He’s my shield and my strength. He’s my fortress: I stand firm....” So, what makes me joyful and finds fulfillment in this form of Salesian vocation is that I am a ‘Special One and I am the apple of His eyes’.

This is the very basic reason of my joy. As we find in the Psalm: “For You are, Lord, my joy my salvation.” I feel that I lose nothing, rather I gain something more and I am fulfilled with this form of salesian vocation. Of course, apart from that; the real touch experiences that make me joyful to this salesian vocation comes from the life experiences in the community – living together as brothers to each other, supporting each other to live out the religious vocation joyously and sharing the same mission to serve the youth; lead them to light.

What does attract you to this form of Salesian vocation?

I am so fortunate to be closely associate with the salesian life right from the beginning of my boyhood life and schooling years. Allow me to narate shortly about my association and attraction to this form of salesian vocation. After 6 years of the primary school, I was recommended by the salesians who administered the school and the parish to go for class 7 to 9 in the boarding school – a three years residential school which is a sought after school by many parents for their children. During the three years of study and stay in the boarding house, I was very happy and fascinated by the way of life the salesians associate with us in such a friendly way....we’re entertained by the many activities such as: indoor and outdoor games, music and films, readings and adventures (Sundays walk out) which kept us busy and preventing us from homesick....

But, to be honest during those 3 years I had no clear idea at all about the Salesian vocation to the priesthood and the brotherhood....I still recall we’re called one by one by the dean of study to his office to have a personal chat; and one given question was that “what do you want to be in the future?” and most of us would give the similiar answer “I want to become a priest....I want to be like this father and that brother so and so....” this was the answer just as to secure the chance of staying and completing the study there....

So, the journey goes on till I move to the aspirantate of three years study (from Class 10 to 12), the same many activities organized to develop our all-round formation. And in these three years, especially in the final year (class 12) I came to the clear knowledge of what the salesian vocation is. We were so fortunate to witness the life of salesian missionaries(pioneers) priests and brothers in the the aspirantate boarding house by their life examples and their talks. At that time, I decided to become a salesian but still undicided to be a Salesian priest or a Salesian brother.

The journey keeps going, and the vocation to the salesian brotherhood steals my heart when I was in the novitiate. My love to this form of salesian vocation became fervent and enlightened by the life examples of the dedication to the mission, simplicity and piety of the great Salesian Brothers: Bros. José Kusy, Carlos Gamba...and other brothers in the community of aspirantate and novitiate. I was so fortunate to witness these great models of salesian brothers. It’s in the year of formation in the novitiate, that my vocation to the Salesian brotherhood comes softly and grows fervently.

What is the specific contribution of the Salesian Brother to our community and mission?

The presence of the Salesian Brother in a community makes the community fully Salesian. And the other specific contributions of the Salesian Brother to the mission and the community are such as his dedication to the task entrusted to him, the witness of piety through his works and communion with God, the full service and accompaniment to the young people, his professionalism and field of specialization make our Salesian mission in line with the modern society featured by cutting-edge technology to serve the generation of young people of today. Therefore, the presence itself and the tasks administered by a Salesian Brother make the community and mission of the community fully Salesian.