A Word on DON BOSCO CHURCH Lingarajapuram
Every mighty river has a spring or a small stream for its origin. Most great people have humble beginning. From a small seed grows up a mighty tree. Don Bosco Training Centre is no exception to these maxims. It too had a humble beginning in 1992 with Rev.Fr.Thomas Vailatt, sdb.as its founder. Initial obstacles, deprivation and struggles are part of every enterprise and they are challenges that spur one's enthusiasm and commitment. The sisters of the Sathyaseva Congregation and the Salesian Cooperators played a vital role for its growth. Don Bosco Training Centre at Lingarajapuram is now also Don Bosco Church or as some call it 'Don Bosco Shrine' with a strength of 1700 families.
Suited to the needs of the place and people for the socio-economic upliftment, we have over a hundred children from the slum in our Crèche; there is a supervised evening tuition center for more than 400 school going children from the slum; a tailoring unit for about 50 women of the locality; a computer center with 20 units, one for every students; a daily free dispensary and a children's library.
As the parish is big and services on Sundays are many in 3 local languages, we get help from various neighbouring institutions. Every one is taken up with the lively response and family spirit that reign here. The Don Bosco Youth group, lively choir in all the the 3 languages, the attendance of children for catechism classes, active participation of the faithful, dedicated St. Vincent de Paul and Legion of Mary groups and Association of Salesian Cooperators (2 units), all these attract the attention of the visitors.
March 27, 2005 is a red-letter day for Don Bosco Church, Lingarajapuram. On this day, the foundation stone of Don Bosco Church, Presbytery and Community Hall was blessed by Rev.Fr. Jose Kuttiyanimattathil, sdb. 15 eventful months rolled by. On June 25, 2006,the present beautiful and magnificent church, dedicated to Don Bosco (Incidentally, in the centenary year of Salesian of Don Bosco coming to India)was blessed and consecrated by the Most Rev.Dr.Bernard Moras, Archbishop of Bangalore.
We can rightly say that it is a gift from one man, a great benefactor of the Salesians of Don Bosco, Bangalore. He is DALUK VICTOR S.PAUL. Some time ago, he paid a visit to Lingarajapuram and prayed on his knees in front of the statue of Mary Help of Christians in the small chapel we had. Inspired by Mary Help of Christians and Don Bosco, as he got up, he uttered these words "Well, I must do something for the Church". Well, the present beautiful edifice of Don Bosco Church is what he did following the inspiration. Wonderful are the ways by which God sends His providence. Only we should have trust in His Providence and live in such a way that we deserve it.
Speaking about this church, some of the past and present superiors of the Salesian Province of Bangalore describe it as 'a miracle'; while some others call it 'a wonder'. But, for the people of Lingarajapuram, 'It is a blessing'. I think three things are a must do deserve such great blessing: 1) Sincere hard work, 2) Gratitude to all those who help us in one way or other, 3) Honesty.
"Father, we have the same happiness that we would have when we would build a house for ourselves". "Thank you Father, for giving us this beautiful Church". "These are some of the simple expressions of some people here about the church. The First one shows how each one proudly and wholeheartedly contributed his or her mite for the construction of this church. The second one shows how each one is grateful to the Divine Providence. Don Bosco used to say; "with Don Bosco alone very little can be done; with Don Bosco and Mary Help of Christians and money, many things can be done; but with Don Bosco, Mary Help of Christians and money, many more things can be done." We can learn a practical lesson from this saying. We need self trust, trust in Mary Help of Christians and trust in Divine Providence.
Here, I must also mention interesting remarks of another good-hearted person. "Father, we are happy and very proud of you Salesian Fathers because you don't act 'Big' or 'Boss'. What do you mean, I asked. As the remarks were, so also was the answer or explanation, very candid. You have never even given a suggestion to the thought that 'We' have built a church for 'You'. You always took us into your confidence and meant that we are building the church together, even though our contribution was Big. We all have the feeling that this church is OURS, all included. Yes, proudly and gratefully we all feel that Lingarajapuram Church is a gift from God to the Salesians and the people here to live and grow together."
We are all grateful to God for His unfailing Providence to us. We can be proud of ourselves that with God's grace we have built ourselves into community of mutual acceptance, understanding and a community of love.
May you all preserve this heritage and pass it on to posterity.
Rev.Fr.Devasia,sdb.
DON BOSCO CHURCH
No.5/10, Don Bosco church Street, Lingarajapuram
Bangalore- 560 084, INDIA
Phone: 080-25488694
