Report by Flavin D’Souza
Team Mangalorean Shirva

Udupi: To mark the anniversary of the historic visit of Don Bosco's Relic to Shirva, the Don Bosco Youth Centre, organized a 'Youth Night Vigil',  at the Youth Centre premises here on August 18.

One may recall the visit of Don Bosco's Relic to Shirva last year where more than 20 thousand devotees thronged to venerate the Sacred Relic.  The night vigil was intended to renew the faith of the youngsters in and around Shirva as the Catholics preparing themselves to enter into the year of faith announced by the Holy Father.

About 180 youngsters participated in this spiritual event that was conducted by a team of charismatic preachers including Fr Anil SVD, Fr Alban and Bro Elias, Bro Rony and SVP Youth from Mangalore accompanied them.  The youth for many of whom, it was a first time experience quickly got into the spirit of the vigil.  The confessions that were started around midnight went on through the night. 

Fr Joe SDB, Fr Tino SDB, Fr Leo SDB and Fr Roshan CSC administered the Sacrament of Reconciliation to the youth throughout the night.  The youth had a special intention to pray during this event, with a slogan ‘Let’s do it for Joy’, i.e, to pray for Joy D’Souza (17 years), one of the youngster suffering from Cancer.  His participation during the night vigil was a strong motivation for youngsters to take it seriously.
 
The Vigil was inaugurated at 9 pm by the Dean of Shirva Deanery Fr Stany Tauro.  In his message Fr Stany expressed that it was a miracle that so many youngsters had come to spend the entire night in prayer.  He lauded the efforts of the Salesian Fathers and Brothers and Don Bosco Youth for organizing such an event for the spiritual benefit of the youngsters of the area.  The Vigil ended in the morning at 6.45 am followed by Holy Mass.  Most of the youngsters have expressed their joy which helped them to deepen their faith and come closer to Jesus.