PATRONS
ORIGIN
MARY AT HER VISITATION
Mary set out in haste for the hill country, to a town of Judah (Lk 1:39) to help and bring joy to Elizabeth.
On hearing that Elizabeth has become a mother even at her elderly age; Mary realized the need of reaching out to such a needy cousin. She left her home, parents and the comfort zones, and ran with haste to help Elizabeth. Her goal desire is to do the will of God, and help the needy.
When she met Elizabeth, Mary rejoiced with her for the wonders God has done on their lives. This made Holy Elizabeth exclaimed in a loud voice, ‘Blessed are you among women and blessed is the child you will bear! But why am I so favored that the Mother of God should come to visit me, for the moment I heard the greetings, the child in my womb leaped for Joy.’
Mary with humility acclaimed the Greatness of God by singing the Magnificat.
“My soul glorifies the Lord, my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour,
For He has been mindful of the humble state of his servant from now on all generations will call me blessed.
For the Mighty one has done great things for me, Holy is His name.”
In a specific way we model ourselves on Mary at her visitation. We are contemplative in action. We live our life with faith, hope and humble trust in God. We follow the examples of Mary in being generous, availability, willingness, true love and compassion to help the one in need without being asked.
DON BOSCO
In the mind of the Founder, the Congregation integrates inspiration from Don Bosco into its life and mission. Constitutions art. 2. Para 2 says that the VSDB lives her life of love with all other necessary virtues “in fidelity to the constitutions and accordance with the spirit and methods of St. John Bosco".
The main characteristics of St. John Bosco’s spirituality and methods which is specifically influence the life and mission of the VSDB are his deep faith in God, his passionate love for the youth, the preventive system, the oratory as the main venue of his work for the youth, and the family spirit among members of the community.
Feast Days of the Congregation:
St. John Bosco – 31 January
St. Joseph, – 19 March
Mary, Mother and Help of Christians – 24 May
Mary at her Visitation – 31 May
St. Theresa of the Child Jesus – 01 October
St. Francis Xavier – 03 December
