I summon up silent thoughts of the by-gone moments blest

I see the presence of the ‘Divine Spark’ I sought

And with passing days, new devotion I caught,

Then I look upon myself and delight in my lot.

Oft have I peeped into the past,

Tarried at yesterdays trials so vast,

They were hurdles for the strong

Yet never yielding to such prong

But always going for them with a song

Abundant rays of heaven’s glorious luster

Time and again have they enveloped us in cluster

Enchanting and remaining as if our portion

Always rousing our dormant notion

Kindling wit and awakening caution.

Our birth in Bosco’s society marked us bright,

The privilege is ours but the choice is from His light,

Sons of the Father have all from His loving deep

Calling for change and cheer to keep,

In the Lord’s vineyard a great harvest to reap.

Changing moods and refreshing pastimes

Manners gentle and thoughts pleasant that rouse elate chimes,

Bosco’s sons in unsuspecting innocence pray,

Blessings galore from above are offered as in a tray,

For to keep us all united on our way.

When alone, do our youthful thoughts linger over,

Their wings rest where earth and fern leaves cover,

Over the meadows and along the shore

Our exulting hearts need ever more

Hopes fresh that last and never be sore.

Great dedication of elders! How can we forget them?

Their elevated thoughts and caring service make them a gem

While the Lord’s tiding is bearing them long,

Hopes abundant and never can do them wrong

All their life dizzy raptures and bliss come along.

We see faith’s untrammeled core

We feel Heaven’s abundant caresses more

And sit upon the sands of life alone

To glance upon the star-showers thrown

As if we were but sitting on a throne.

We dreamed as we wandered by the way

And gentle pleasures at times led our steps astray

There were times when we juggled with pain,

As if our efforts were in vain,

Yet moving on would we never give in to disdain.

Life with our brothers and sisters must be a little kinder

And we may have to be a little blinder

To neighborly faults and walk on to live in health

This spiritual content surely shall surpass wealth

For our life we steer to our destiny in stealth.

Earth needs more souls to affirm, fewer to malign

More doers who inspire others to align.

Dwell not long at life’s intermittent sorrow

Heaven will help thee for tomorrow

So each day begin anew and go on like a barrow.

Ah! The human soul so magnificent!

A great majority of our species so beneficent

Privilege they consider to be with their neighour in dialogue

The optimism and inspiration behind all these is the Decalogue

This to their undying spirit is an eternal epilogue.

Fr. Sebastian Jose