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Bro. Alfred was born at Abadan, Persia to a fairly well-off family. He heard God's call to join the fledgling Salesian society in its humble beginnings at Matunga. It was a big jump for him from the luxury of British Army standards to the simple life and privations of Tirupattur in 1948. He did his philosophy at Kotagiri and completed his practical training at Liluah and Matunga. He switched to the Brotherhood at his perpetual profession and started his active Salesian life in Sagayatho- ttam. He was for some time secretary to the Bishop of Vellore, Mgr. David Marianayagam. After a course at the Premier Automobiles Ltd., Kurla, he began establishing the motor mechanics section at Madras. In 1974 he was sent to Bombay to work in the provincial economer's office. Later he was posted at Panjim and Fatorda. He arrived at Sulcorna for his last transfer on 27 May 1989. Two months later he expired due to a massive heart attack.

Bro. Alfred was an epitome of joy and optimism. He regaled his confreres with a continuous flow of mimicry, jokes and laughter. He earned the title "Cavalliere". Never would a feast day go by without his trumpet being sounded and it was enough for him to peep into the stage to have the audience bursting out into peals of laughter. He was also the VIP "chauffeur", always ready to be the driver whenever the need arose. He never liked to engage in disputes and quarrels. He was dedicated to his duty and was a great devotee of Mary Help of Christians. His oft-repeated wish - "May the Lord take me without giving trouble to anyone" - was fulfilled when he completed his 65th year; he was discovered lifeless in his room.

Bro. Kenneth was born in Bombay. While a clerk at the Post Master General’s office, Bombay, at the age of 23, Bro. Kenny (as he was popularly known) felt God calling him to a life of religious dedication and service to the young. He served as teacher and assistant at Panjim, Vellore-Katpadi, Matunga, Tirupattur, Kurla, Basin Bridge, Pune. His longest stretches were at Andheri and Matunga (about 8 years each). He was instrumental in beginning the magazine Friends of Dominic Savio (A magazine for youth which has long since been terminated) Among his other responsibilities were editing Youngsters a Bombay Province youth magazine and the province newsletter called the SDB West. He also led the Andheri Unit of Salesian Cooperators for a while.

He enjoyed reading and had a flair for writing. He excelled in letter writing. His beautiful handwriting and the contents made receiving letters from him a veritable delight. He encouraged and gave spiritual advice through those letters. He loved the young, and his services, inspite of his old age, were much appreciated by them. Some youngsters would feign illness to receive his tender care. The primary section students at Matunga were never homesick because every morning he would be there ready to welcome them at 8 am and he would be there to bid them goodbye in the evening.

Fr. Oscar was born at Girgaum, Mumbai. A lively lad, full of fun and a born leader. Young Oscar entered the Salesian house and spent his early years predominantly in south India. With the erection of the province he was posted at Wadala, Kurla and finally at Matunga. During the 46 years of his priestly ministry he performed the task of Catechist, Prefect, Director of the Oratory, Assistant Parish priest and Confessor. To all his jobs he brought his characteristic diligence, simplicity and friendliness. He never hankered for power or for positions of honour. He was content to serve. His greatest joy was to be in the midst of boys, and indeed he was found among them during all the intervals. From his capacious pockets would issue forth stickers, stamps, puzzles, cards and medals and rosaries. Crowds of younsters would stick to him wherever he went and he would entertain them with his tricks and puzzles. Being a sportsman himself, he took keen interest in games, outings, scouting, gymnastics. He spent considerable part of his life working to promote vocations. Many Salesians in the province of Bombay owe their vocation to his pastoral zeal. He organised special camps for his chosen boys, he followed them up with talks, personal chats and great care. Fr. Oscar also loved being available for confession. He spent hours, especially in the shrine at Matunga, bringing people back to God. He loved his confreres and endeared himself to them. He left behind sweet memories of his daily fidelity to the abiding values of simplicity, kindness and a joyful presence among the young.

Born at Lumezzane, Italy, young Eliseo Bianchi left his beloved Italy for the shores of India at a tender age of 16. He spent 16 years at Don Bosco, Matunga. Later, he was transferred to Lonavala and Yercaud. After staying in Italy for sometime, he returned to serve as catechist and later confessor at Kurla, Borivili, Baroda, Matunga. In 1988 he came back to Lonavla where he remained till his death. He was a multifaceted person. He astounded many by his ability to be a "Jack of all trades as well as Master of all". He was an excellent carpenter, musician, dramatist, story-teller, gymnast and teacher. He was an exacting teacher who inculcated in those he taught, a quest for excellence. He also addressed various needs of the house with his skill and hard work. He would make beds or church benches. He would train the band players to perform the classics. Scouting was another passion; he would use the great outdoors to educate young scouts. The young gymnasts trained by Fr. Bianchi were well appreciated for their performances He was also an able teacher whether he taught Latin or Catechism. Towards the end of his life he took charge of the Propaganda Office at Lonavla typing hundreds of letters every day. Exactness and orderliness were two of his hallmarks. While he was strict and austere with himself he was kind and generous with others. His deep sense of the supernatural, his prayer and trust in God impressed all. Towards the end of his life, he was seen to spend much time weeping before the crucifix, especially in moments of intense suffering. He was a rare genius of a Salesian.

Born at Mangalore, Fr. Cyril had to begin working early in life due to his family’s situation. He came to seek employment in Bombay to supplement his family’s income. He worked as an accountant in Burmah -Shell and the situation at home gradually improved. He then decided to pursue his vocation and entered Tardeo in 1938. The early years of his priestly ministry were spent in the missions of North Arcot, Tamil Nadu. After a short stint in Valpoi (Goa) he returned to South India. In 1970 he was at Sulcorna as Confessor and later worked in Matunga, Borivili, Nasik and Dakor. Finally, he was sent to Yerwada. In June 1984 he went back to Sulcorna as Confessor. This was to be his last home on his earthly sojourn. At Sulcorna he began to suffer bouts of illness, his memory began to fail. Later he became totally helpless. Fr. Cyril had a sharp mind and was full of pastoral zeal. He was at home in the midst of people, especially the poor, and was an apostle of the confessional. He was keenly interested in sports and later in life when he was unable to play, he would faithfully follow the news of his favourite teams. He had a great sense of humour, which is why he was able to forgive and forget whenever misunderstandings arose.

Born at Colvale, Goa a day before Christmas, Fr. Cajetan Lobo always considered himself a precursor of the Lord. At a very young age his father died and the burden of sustaining the family fell on his shoulders. Beginning as a simple village teacher, his contact with the Salesians drew him to discover his calling to priestly life. After the situation in his family was stable, he came to Tardeo where he was under the directon of Fr. Maschio. He began his novitiate at the age of 28. He was assigned the role of assistant to the novices. Soon after his ordination he spent 15 years in Don Bosco, Panjim as Prefect, Headmaster and Confessor. He was loved by one and all. In 1964 he went to Lonavla and spent 13 years there. The early days were challenging, yet, he was a man of great faith ready to face the many difficulties that lay ahead. He spent some years also in Yercaud, Matunga, Nasik and Quepem and returned to Lonavla to spend the evening of his life there.

He was affectionately called "Jimmu" - a name he affectionately called all the boys by. A big man with big hands and a big heart, he felt most at home in the company of the boys. He played with words, was very creative and helped the youngsters memorise important truths about life through short, pithy sayings. He was the apostle of the notice board; with his creative display of art and lettering, they became pulpits that conveyed important values and information. His forte was teaching. He drilled in his subject matter with patience, creativity and tact. He did get angry but was never the one to harbour a grudge. He was a priest who enjoyed all things pastoral - the Eucharist, the Sacrament of Reconciliation. He insisted on visits to the Blessed Sacrament and also devotion to Mary Help of Christians, especially encouraging the recitation of the Rosary. He was an apostle of the pen, contributing many inspiring articles in Konkani, English and Portuguese. Many popular devotional magazines carried his stories and reflections to a wide readership. His focus was vocations and sanctity. But his best sermon was his life. He was never heard criticizing others despite sometimes being hurt himself. The warmth of his heart was matched by his hospitality, gentleness and solicitude for the good of others. The day before his death was the 45th anniversary of his perpetual profession. That night he accompanied his Rector, his one time pupil, to the refectory and served him a hot bowl of soup before he bid adieu for the night...and forever.

Fr. Thomas Braganza was born at Chowpatty, Mumbai. He joined Don Bosco, Matunga as a boarder and fell in love with the Salesians. He asked to join the Aspirantate. After his initial formation at Matunga, he completed his B.Ed. and was appointed Cathechist at Yercaud. Here he was editor of the youth magazine Friends of Dominic Savio. He next moved to Don Bosco, Matunga, as Prefect of Studies and took a Diploma in Vocational Counselling. After an updating course in Rome, he returned as Rector of Don Bosco, Matunga. He then worked in Kurla, Lonavala, Panjim, Baroda & Pune. In 1984 he volunteered to go to the missions of Africa. He spent 5 years in pastoral and missionary service in Tanzania. On his return he was appointed Rector at Kurla. In 1991, he was appointed Rector of DBYC, Pune but before he could take up this assignment he was diagnosed as suffering from cancer and after a year of fighting the dreaded disease, he passed away.

Fr. Braganza was a very affable and caring person. He was a magnet, attracting the young with his simplicity and availability. He loved being with the young as was evident by his open office. Boys would enter in during the breaks and surround him and listen to him with eagerness. Through very creative scouting camps, retreats and prayer experiences he would touch their hearts. He was instrumental in guiding many to enter religious life. He also printed and published a few books that would help those in the youth apostolate. Some of these are: May I Help you, Sing Praises to the Fairest and the very popular Youth Leaders Companion. His love for the media ministry was evident by his constant convern for those who showed promise in this apostolate. Even at the end, with death staring him in the face, he wrote letters to benefactors inviting them to support a communications project that had just started in the province. He was a man of deep faith who acknowledged his talents and set-backs with sincerity, as is evident from one of his letters to the Provincial "I find I am not so much for management, as for working directly with the young".

The regular visits by past pupils during his illness, and their massive attendance at his funeral bore testimony to Salesian charisma and pastoral efficacy.

Bro. Castellino was born at Daman Pequeno-Damao. In 1943 he came into contact with the Salesians for the first time, when he entered Don Bosco Matunga as a pupil. He was eager to be a Salesian himself. Thus in 1950 he joined Sacred Heart, Tirupattur where he stayed for four years as an aspirant. Here he also trained himself in carpentry. He entered the novitiate at Yercaud in 1954. In 1954 he received the Brother’s medal from the great missionary Archbishop, Mgr. Louis Mathias. He made his first profession in 1955 and was sent the very next day to help at the carpentry department at Basin Bridge. The next year he ran a flourishing oratory at St. Gabriel’s. A year later he was asked to do his Magistero in Turin. He made his perpetual profession on May 24, 1961 at Yercaud. He was then appointed to Don Bosco Matunga, in Bombay and worked there until 1967. He left for Shillong at the invitation of Archbishop Hubert D’Rosario in 1970. He was the archbishop’s secretary for sixteen years. During these years he went around the mission preaching the word of God in his unique way: through films, music and above all, through magic. In 1986 he was placed in charge of the Retreat House at Pastoral Centre, Shillong and in 1992 he was given charge of the Don Bosco Book Depot. He passed away at 1.30 p.m. on August 29, 1994.

Bro. Castellino was a man who loved the poor and burned with zeal to proclaim the Gospel. He had a special predilection for the orphans, the rag pickers and the delinquents. The sight of many of them at the funeral was a living testimony to his apostolic effectiveness. Throughout India Bro. Castellino was called the magician Salesian. He used his magical skills to entertain and to spread the Gospel and also to collect funds for the mission. He transmitted his skills in magic to many Salesians and youngsters. He loved music and played the trumpet with consummate skill and perfection. He put together many local music groups to promote evangelisation. He will be remembered for his nobility, childlike simplicity, generosity, a capacity to appreciate people and a good dose of healthy humour.

Born: 21-2- 1919 Professed: 25-12- 1937 Ordained priest: 16-4-1947 Ordained Bishop: 6-9- 1964 Died: 30-8-1994

Hubert D’Rosario was born in an obscure hamlet near Calicut, Kerala. He was the fourth in a family of seven children. At the age of ten, Hubert lost his mother. After successfully passing his matriculation he scouted around for his next step in life when he met the Salesians. He found his way to the church and the Salesian novitiate at Tirupattur. There he used to be found watching with bemused wonder and keen interest the animated games of the brothers. But more than the brothers, it was the Rector, Fr. Carreno who stole the boy’s heart. As a result the boy was instinctively drawn to the Salesian family. In December 1936, he began his studies on his way to the priesthood with Fr. Carreno as his novice master and guide through the rough and difficult times of formation. He was ordained a priest of God at St. Mary’s Parish Church, Kotagiri by Msgr. Renatus Guega, Bishop of Mysore in 1947. Tirupattur was his first posting. Next, he was sent to Trivandrum, then as Rector to Katpadi with the distinction of being the first Indian Rector in the Madras Province. In 1958 he became the Rector and Principal of Don Bosco School, Matunga, Bombay. He had many firsts to his credit. He was the first Indian to be the head of such a big institution. He was the first Indian delegate to the General Chapter in 1958. When the See of Dibrugarh became vacant, Fr. Hubert was appointed its bishop by Pope Paul VI on 6 July 1964. He had scarcely set himself in the midst of his people in Dibrugarh giving impetus to the work of the Church, when further summons from the Holy Father urged him to move on to the newly created archdiocese of Shillong-Guwahati as the first Metropolitan Archbishop of Northeast India in 1969. He was consecrated bishop at the Shrine of Mary Help of Christians, Matunga, Bombay, on September 6 1964 by His Eminence Valerian Cardinal Gracias. Soon after his consecration he flew to Rome to attend the third session of the Second Vatican Council then in progress.

On December 12, 1964, Bishop Hubert arrived in Dibrugarh. Soon after his arrival, the young Bishop managed to rope in the services of Fr. Ignatius Rubio from Don Bosco, Matunga. Under Bishop Hubert’s five-year-long pastoral ministry, the diocese of Dibrugarh witnessed great progress in the field of evangelisation. Many new mission areas were opened as new frontiers for evangelisation continued to attract his attention. He will be fondly remembered for his frequent village visits because he loved his people. He often confessed: "When I am among them I forget all my troubles. They are so simple and loving and my greatest joy is to be with them." Later when ill-health made touring impossible he regretted that the inability to visit his people was "the greatest sorrow" he had to bear. The record of the educational, health and social service centres that he began is phenomenal. He lived long enough to see the Golden Jubilee of the diocese of Shillong (1984), the papal visit (1986), the centenary celebrations of the Catholic Church in North East India (1990). No doubt, evangelisation was the "leit motif" which governed the life of the Archbishop. After a brief illness during which he continued to show great concern for the mission, he commended his soul to the Lord on August 30, 1994.

Fr. Anthony Alessi was born at Nave, Italy, into a family of strong faith and deep devotion. As a young boy he had to work in the fields. He studied all by himself, reading books sent by an uncle who was a Salesian Brother. After two years of active military service, he joined the Salesians. He always considered the experience of poverty in his early life a singular grace that equipped him for the road ahead. Finishing his novitiate and philosophy in Italy, he came down to India as a missionary in 1926. In the missions of the North East he threw himself into the work of evangelisation. The veteran Salesian missionary Fr. Vendrame deeply influenced his young mind. He witnessed the conversion of thousands of Khasis who embraced Christ and the Gospel. After his ordination he worked in the Brahmaputra valley-preaching from village to village despite all the hardships of rough terrain, primitive transport, malaria and dysentry. After 13 years in Assam he was asked to start the Salesian presence in Burma. The Salesians were also involved in refugee work when World War II was in progress. In 1956 he was appointed Provincial of Calcutta. He kept frequent contacts with his missionaries and spent most of the time visiting them in the mission field...and all this inspite of very poor health. He suffered from ulcers, dysentry and malaria. All this made travelling difficult, yet he went on. In 1958, he moved to the new Province of Guwahati (which was carved out from the Calcutta Province). He worked hard to establish adequate training for younger Salesians and for setting up the required structures. In 1960, he was involved in a serious accident. After 13 years as Provincial he asked for a quieter job. He came to Lonavla as Rector of the Apostolic School which was nearing completion. In 1966 he fractured his hip bone and had to limp for the rest of his life. He worked in Matunga and Kurla briefly. In 1970, he took charge of the new missionary aspirantate at Borivili. Already then he would come to Matunga daily to help Fr. Maschio in the shrine and in the office. Finally, in 1974 he was transferred to what would be his last abode: the Provincial House at Matunga. He took charge of the pastoral services at the Shrine, and spent hours in the confessional. He would take part in the distribution of food and money to thousands of lepers. He took greater interest in leper rehabilitation by setting up a separate home for them at Velholi near Bhivandi. He asked the Helpers of Mary to take charge of this apostolate.

His strong faith and strict observance of religious life was the driving force behind his enthusiasm in the mission. He spent hours bringing souls back to the sacraments. Towards the end, his energy began to fail, yet he remained fiercely independent and refused all forms of comfort and assistance. Through all this he never complained. His schedule continued to be demanding on himself, his time and health. He continued to hear confessions - a service he rendered to the thousands who flocked to the Shrine. On January 18, out of force of habit and his zeal to bring sinners back to God, he decended the stairs from his room at 4.00 a.m. He said his mass and went as usual to his confessional. Feeling uneasy, he quietly ascended to his room in the Provincial House. He did not make it. His lifeless body was discovered at 6.30 a.m. - it was still warm.

Crowds attended his funeral. The poor whom he helped generously also came to pay their respects. Above all, there were present a great number of penitants who visited him regularly at the confessional.

Fr. Cyril Francis lived a little more than 71 years, of which he spent 52 years as a Salesian and 43 years as a priest. He belonged to the Province of Calcutta and was a trained teacher with a B.Ed. degree and a Diploma in Vocational & Career Guidance. In 1980 he shifted to the province of Bombay. He worked in various capacities in Sulcorna, Quepem, Fatorda, Panjim, Andheri and for the last 4 years, in Baroda.

He had an infectious enthusiasm and zest for life. He was the soul of every community get-together. He loved singing his favourite songs and playing the mouthorgan. He loved the boys and willingly joined in their recreation. He was an articulate preacher and the boys longed to hear him speak. His sermons were filled with lively anecdotes which he would recount in a very dramatic manner. He had a child-like confidence in his superiors. He was a man of deep faith and bore the trials of community life of which he had a fair share. His buoyant spirit carried him through his last weeks of suffering. He bore his pain with calm and serene acceptance - the measure of his deep faith and closeness to God. The secret of his contented nature was his conviction which he once expressed in his letter to the provincial on accepting a difficult transfer:

"Happiness is a disposition of the spirit and not of the mind... a peculiar disposition that can make a person smile in the midst of tears."

Towards the end of his life he began learning the casio. He would play it everyday while alone in his room. This kept his spirit enthusiastic and "jolly" - as he always wanted to be.

Fr. Jose Menezes was born in Mangalore. He entered Salesian life and was ordained in 1950. He had a long and illustrious career as Headmaster in several schools: Panjim, Chinglepet, St. Bede, Wadala and Borivili. He also was the Principal of a diocesan school at St. Michael’s, Mahim. He was Rector in Egmore, Kurla and Borivili; Parish Priest in Wadala; Administrator in Panjim and Fatorda; Confessor in Andheri and Borivili. His health began to deteriorate while at Borivili and he reached a helpless state unable to communicate or recognise anybody.

He came across to all as a meticulous planner and organiser who demanded a high standard of efficiency and discipline from both teachers and students. He was an intelligent, eloquent and forceful speaker. He was much sought after for retreats and homilies. He would often incorporate the local vernacular jargon into the text of his homilies, thus providing him with the advantage of speaking directly to the life-situation of his audiences. Rich in talent and dynamic as he was, he had to suffer much in the midst of painful controversies and prolonged disputes which led to a breakdown in his health. He accepted these hardships in a spirit of resignation and faith, grateful to those who showed him understanding, concern and sympathy.

He was an avid reader and kept abreast of political events of the time - making discerning statements and expressing his opinion whenever he felt it necessary.

Born at Cernusco Sul Naviglio, Italy, Fr. Peter was the fifth child of Mr. Guiseppe Gatti and Mrs. Valli Maria. Endowed with leadership qualities as a teenager, he joined the aspirantate at Ivrea in 1928 and stepped on Indian soil when he was barely 17 years old and "as thin as a blade of grass". His ordination motto was "to share your bread with the poor". He taught theology for some time and then took a BA, BT degree enabling him to teach in a high school. He was posted at Madras (Egmore and Nagercoil) and was at Don Bosco High School, Matunga between the years 1952 and 1961. He was then called to serve at the Apostolic Nunciature in Delhi after which he returned to teaching at Matunga and Panjim. He was Rector and Principal at Fatorda and then returned to Panjim where he stayed until his sad demise.

He was noted for his cheerfulness, humour and his affectionate ways. He loved his confreres and showed it. He had a flair for writing and regularly contributed stories to the Don Bosco Madonna. He had phenomenal wit and was well known for his ability to pun on the English language. He was also known for his poetical compositions Sometimes his quick temper scared many people but they recognized the kindness below the surface. He chose Indian citizenship, a sign of his total dedication to the missions. He was a good preacher.

A month before his death he was sent to Italy for a bit of rest and treatment there. Little did his confreres realise that he would never come back to India.

Born: 14-4-1941 Professed: 24-5-1961. Ordained: 19-12- 1970. Died: 6-11- 1995.

Born at Byculla, Mumbai, Fr. Desmond Paes completed his SSC at Don Bosco, Matunga. He went to the aspirantate at Tirupattur and excelled in studies, talents, games, music, humour and dramatic skills. He served in the houses of Lonavla, Kurla, Baroda, Wadala, Fatorda, Borivli and Antop Hill. He was also a National Delegate for Past Pupils and incharge of Social Communication & Youth Services at Matunga. He qualified himself in his preferred field of Education and served with distinction in various schools of the province.

Fr. Desmond had the gift of keeping a crowd roaring with side-splitting laughter. He would be the soul of every party with his guitar, songs, jokes, mimicry and comic verses. Thus he brought good cheer wherever he went. He was also very generous and never refused to help anyone. Moreover he was a man of his word - he rarely turned down any requests for help and always ensured that he kept his promises, without having to be reminded.

He was not always understood and yet he never bore any ill will. In fact he always tried to see the good side of things. He kept his pain and loneliness to himself. There was much virtue in his gestures of considerateness and the little kindnesses he bestowed.

He had a thousand friends and contacts whom he could rely on for help whenever he needed it and they always enjoyed his company. The testimony of his friendship was borne out in the fact that at his premature death, the Shrine at Matunga was filled to capacity, despite being an afternoon on a working day - and at short notice.

Fr. Desmond also composed hymns with very inspiring lyrics. He was a beacon for the many lyricists who sprang up from Lonavla during his stay there. One of his hymns will always be remembered as containing his final wish: "Lord my God, I've walked a weary way. I've seen places where your love was in decay. Lord you know me. My life belongs to you. May your great love forever see me through. In the shadow of your mercy, I lay my soul to rest. In the splendour of your greatness, my life will ever be blessed..."

Fr. Venia was born at Bronte, Sicily. He came to India as a student of Theology in 1951. The first 14 years of his priestly ministry were spent in the provinces of Madras and Calcutta. He worked in Madras, Krishnagar, Sonada and Siliguri and Calcutta. In 1970 he was transferred to Borivili as Confessor. He then went on to work in Sulcorna, Andheri, Pune, Nasik and Fatorda. Most of the time he was either a confessor or administrator. From 1991 till his death he was at Lonavla as confessor and in charge of the propaganda.

His wisdom and holiness consisted in his simple, child-like trust in God and neighbour. He never occupied high positions in the congregation. He was never Rector or Principal. Yet he was one of the most loved confreres. His simplicity, patience and availability were phenomenal. He was always ready to drive the vehicle to reach confreres to the station or airport. His assurances to his confreres in the familiar phrases "no problem", "corragio" endeared him to all in the province. This transparent simplicity often led to humorous occurrences which even he enjoyed recalling. In the confessional he brought many the forgiving love of Jesus. Towards the end he had a stomach ailment and asked to be treated in Italy. There, to the shock and grief of all his confreres in India, he breathed his last.

Fr. Dennis Duarte was born at Girgaum, Bombay. He was the eldest son of his parents and was a clever student and a good sportsman. He came to know about Don Bosco through his friend and neighbour, Oscar Misquita. Soon after his ordination he was deemed very capable and was appointed the assistant secretary of Archbishop Louis Mathias in Madras. He then moved to Tirupattur as Prefect of Studies where his penchant for discipline and order brought honour to the institute. He was an understanding Rector in Matunga and Panjim. In 1968 he was appointed the Vice Provincial of Madras and in 1969 he was made the first Provincial of the newly erected Province of Bombay. After he served a full term, he continued to work in the province as Rector of Matunga, Director of the Shrine at Panjim, Parish Priest at Wadala, Catechist and confessor at Andheri, where he breathed his last.

He often called himself a "first time Salesian". He was the first Indian Rector of Goa, the first Indian Provincial to be appointed by Rome, the first Indian to attend the General Chapter and the first Provincial of Bombay.

He will be remembered as a faithful priest and an eloquent preacher. He took great pains in preparing his sermons, interspersing them with lively anecdotes. Later he planned the liturgical celebrations in great detail using drama and animation with the help of young friends.He was always available for the ministry of confessions. He ensured the decorum and dignity of all religious and liturgical services. He was a great writer and was a regular contributor to the Don Bosco's Madonna. A collection of some of his stories were published on the golden jubilee of his ordination, entitled Stories to Live by. He loved his vocation and was a great vocation promoter bringing many to the vineyard of the Lord by his sermons, writings and personal contacts. His illness prolonged itself laboriously... he was even resuscitated once. Yet he bore it with courage and acceptance of God's will till his final moment. On the occasion of his golden jubilee of priesthood he wrote: "I ask God what he saw in me (to have called me), and though I have let him down, times out of number, he has kept me happy. Every morning I raise a white Host and a golden Chalice to the Lord, and he changes it at my words. What marvels the Lord has done for me!"

Fr. C. M. Joseph was born in Pala, Kerala. He did his practical training in Matunga in 1953 and later returned to complete his B.Ed. in 1964. He volunteered for the North Eastern and African missions. In 1994 he returned to India and was appointed confessor at Mysore. He died untimely, from a severe head injury caused by a fall from the scooter.

Born at Cuncolim, Goa, Bro. Eulalio Vaz showed showed signs of promise already from his childhood. He joined Tirupatur as an aspirant in 1951 and after a year of practical training was sent to Rebaudengo, Italy for technical studies. After a stint at Basin Bridge he was a pioneer at the St. Joseph Technical Institute, Kurla, where he was Principal for 20 years. In 1985 he went to Don Bosco Fatorda and boosted up the standard of the institute. In 1989 he stepped down as Principal but began to focus his attention on non-formal technical studies especially TRYSEM. He made this a conscious option since he was eager to meet the growing demands of poor boys who often dropped out of school and were bereft of employment. Yet it was in the Oratory, a setting close to the heart of Don Bosco, that Bro. Vaz came into his own. Along with football and other games, he also dispensed a good dose of character and religious formation. He was marked out by his size. He stood out in the crowd with his big stature. He was a big-hearted man with a deep love for the poor. He was a sportsman who instilled the sporting spirit and discipline into athletes in his charge. He coached, played, prayed and counselled youngsters who saw in him both a hero and a friend. He had acute common sense and gauged the needs of youth at a very practical level. His untimely death on the football field possibily due to a massive heart attack brought his past pupils together from distant places. It was a touching manifestation of the gratitude and appreciation people had for him.

Fr. K.J. Thomas was born in Pune but was schooled at Avadi, Chennai. When the family had to move again to Bangalore he came in contact with the Salesians and decided to join in 1964. After his philosophical studies he was sent to Lonavla for his practical training. As a priest he was posted at Kristu Jyoti College and later pioneered Visvadeep as its first Rector in 1992. He served as Secretary of the CBCI Commission for Christian Life, and was the founder - president of the All-India Catechetical Association. However, through all these responsibilities, he had not been keeping good health. The cause was detected only in April 1996. He was diagnosed as having Hepatitis B. He passed away at St. Philomena's Hospital after a year of prolonged suffering.

Fr. Joaquim was born in Panjim, Goa, the favourite of his mother who saw in him a special son. He joined the oratory of Don Bosco as a boarder in 1948 and the following year asked to be admitted into the aspirantate at Tirupattur, Madras. Here he completed his SSC and was later sent for his technical studies in metal art work. He proved to be a gifted student and qualified to become an artistic metal worker all his life. After his first profession he was sent to the Technical Institue at Madras where he worked for many years even after his perpetual profession. His great desire was to be a priest, but the policy of the congregation at that time discouraged a change from the Brotherhood to the Priesthood. When this was made permissible, the superiors heeded his plea and ordained him in 1984.

Fr. Joaquim served in Gujarat briefly and then in Africa. Notwithstanding his poor health he stayed on till 1996 offering his technical skills to African youth. He returned to the province of Bombay for medical attention and was assigned to the community of Dominic Savio, Andheri, from where he was called home.

Fr. Joaquim never craved for recognition but quietly proved his worth through his unassuming labour in the vineyard of the Lord. He humbly accepted all that happened to him as was clearly seen in his calm resignation to his recent illness. Today, Fr. Joaquim's metallic art adorns many important institutions. They are reminders of his friendly, non-interfering fraternal presence among his Salesian brothers and are signs of a talent spent for the glory of God.

Fr. Anand was born in Vasai. He entered Don Bosco, Borivili as a pupil for the first time in June, 1972 and expressed his desire to become a Salesian priest. One of the trades he picked up during his junior college days was tailoring. He completed his scholastic studies and was ordained in 1990 at the Shrine of Don Bosco’s Madonna, Matunga. Soon after, he was appointed assistant parish priest and Vice Principal at Jaitala where he worked for three years. His next and last assignment was as Principal of Don Bosco High School, Yerwada, Pune. In October 1997 he accepted an invitation to preach at the novena of Our Lady of Fatima at Jaitala. After mass he went out to visit a sick parishioner. On the way he was hit by a speeding truck and expired immediately. Fr. Anand was noted for his unassuming friendliness and his ability to take a joke sportingly. He was assiduous in the fulfillment of his duties and faithful to his daily prayer schedule. As a Principal he was firm and worked hard to raise the standard of the poor students, thus enabling the school to achieve cent percent results in the SSC exams of 1996. His untimely death brought a sense of shock to all who knew him. It was the first death in the province of someone so young.

How many pianists would have wished that they exchanged their fingers for his, in order that they also extemporize complicated Mozartian runs on the keyboard with accomplished ease. How many classical singers would have longed to sing classics like Shubert's "Ave Maria" to his rich and expressive accompaniment!

No wonder then, every Sunday, people flocked to the Shrine to hear Bro. Anthony Remedios accompany the choir on the organ. They would linger long enough to hear the flourish of intricate runs caused by the ingenuity and musical prowess of his dexterous fingers.

"My Soul give praise to the Lord, I will praise the Lord all my days, make music to my God, all my life." No better words can describe the 80-year life-journey of Bro. Anthony Remedios, affectionately called Bro. Rem.

Born on 9^th November 1918 at Sao Mathias, Ilhas, Goa, the son of Paulo Simao and Maria Remedios, he was baptized Antonio on the 3^rd December 1918. On 20^th Sept. 1950, after having felt the pulse of the world in a brave stint of military service in Malaysia, where his family had settled, Antonio entered the salesian house of Panjim. A gifted musician, he held a licentiate of the Trinity College of Music, London and was a pianist of a dance band in Singapore.

Music became his profession and he insured his fingers in the process. But at home, preparations for his engagement were on. He was offered two choices - a daughter of a simple agricultural labourer and a girl from an upper class family. Young Antonio preferred the first choice. Engagement plans were finalized but before procedures could take their course, war broke out in 1939 and alll connection with Goa was broken. After the war he returned to Bombay and began to set his eyes on the daughter of one of his distant Aunts. The girl herself was an accomplished painist, but 12 years younger. On proposing to her parents the engagement was held and a ring placed on his finger. Soon after, Antonio went about the business of giving piano recitals in order to save up for the big day. But the ring was a size to big and it came in the way. It hindered his performance, especially those Mozartian chromatics down the piano keyboard. Taking it off would do not harm - so he thought. Little did he realize that he was being watched. A jealous relative reported the matter to the girl's family who interpreted the gesture as a mark of disrespect and a desecration of fidelity. They instantaneously terminated the relationship and left Antonio broken hearted.

In despair he approached a nun to whom he confided his interst in knowing more about religious life. His request met with over enthusiasm - she suggested he join the Silvestrians and gave him a free gift of four thick books on the vows. His brothers and sisters meanwhile did their best to disuade him from joining religious life. They sought to persuade him to make another go at matrimony. Instead, Antonio left for Goa and was introduced to a Salesian priest by the name of Vincent Scuderi. On experessing his wish to become a brother Fr. Scuderi quite matter-of-factly welcomed him and put him to work the very next day. Antonio was givena brush dipped in glue to stick addresses on the dispatches from the oratory press. 1952 marked his first entry into Salesian life and from then on, his single-minded commitment to his religious profession brooked no compromise, faithful to his God and loyal to Don Bosco and the Congregation, literally, till his last hour.

Between St. Bede's, Chennai from 1956 to 1967 and Don Bosco, Matunga from 1954 to 1956 and 1967 to 1999, Bro. Rem devoted all his energies in the worship of God as choirmaster and through efficient service in the school office.

In the early hours of April 28^th, 1999, after a quiet hint the previous night of a goodbye to some salesians and after surrendering the keys of his office to confrere, he was called to his heavenly reward.

The funeral service on April 29^th began at 4.30 with a Requiem Mass in the Shrine of Don Bosco's Madonna. Fr. Tony D'Souza, together with about 25 concelebrants presided over the function and delivered a touching homily on the seven virtues of Bro. Rem which he linked to the seven notes that constitute the musical scale - CDEFGAB. Bro. Rem, he said was a man of interior calm, of dedication and efficiency, who appreciated clean fun and exuded goodness. He said that he through his trials Bro. Rem had learned the quite acceptance of everyday events in life which contributed to his big and forgiving heart.

Present on the occasion were the members of his choir who, with tears-soked eyes, belted out hymns in praise and thanks to God for granting them the privilege of working under such an unassuming Maestro. May his soul be admitted to the celestial choirs forevermore. Alleluia!