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Psalm:131 “How good and pleasant it is when brothers come to live together in unity”
The annual Summer formation programme for practical trainees and student brothers was a long awaited and meticulous planned programme of the province under the leadership of Fr. Y. Joji, the vice provincial. It was an enthralling experience for the 
brothers to rejuvenate and review their intellectual, emotional, spiritual and salesian life, at BIRDY, Hyderabad from 10.05.2016 to 21.05.2016.
Fr. Provincial set the tone on the first day when he asked the brothers to sharpen their Salesian skills like the woodcutter who sharpens the axe, before plunging into work.
The 10 days of animation, which followed covered a range of topics varying from Contemporary Youth Issues to Salesian Spirit, from Group Dynamics to Pedagogical Insights. All the resource persons who animated the brothers on these topics were Salesians with hands-on experience on the topic they dealt with. Their numerous experiences and practical suggestions broadened the mindset and stretched the thinking patterns of the young Salesian minds. The whole experience was such a pleasurable one, that th
e brothers didn’t realize the passing of time. The group sharing and discussions were also enriching and enlightening.
The icing on top of the cake was the picnic to Ocean Park to beat the heat of summer. The presence of Fr. Thathireddy Vijaya Bhaskar, the provincial though only during the forenoon was an added joy for the whole day.
The day of recollection which followed the picnic was the cherry on the icing. The silence, reflection and recollection helped the brothers to prepare well for the renewal of vows on the 23rd May, 2016. During the Holy Eucharist in which the brothers renewed their vows, Fr. Provin
cial reminded them to be rooted in Christ, without deep roots in HIM, we would be uprooted like the trees during the heavy wind and storm. These days of formation, renewal and recollection were appreciated by the brothers and they wait for the next years Summer Formation Programme.
