On 13 August 2025, the Auxilium Provincial House in Shillong celebrated the inauguration of a ten-month Intensive Juniorate Course with a powerful prayer moment centered on the theme, “Called to be Sowers of Hope.” Twenty Sisters from the six provinces of FMA Provincial Conference of India—Bombay, Chennai (Sri Lanka), Kolkata, Trichy, Guwahati, and Shillong—have gathered to begin this transformative journey of vocational deepening.

The ceremony was marked by a symbolic offering where each of the twenty sisters presented seeds, signifying their commitment to growth and their role as future sowers of hope. In a meaningful gesture, the animator poured water over the seeds, representing the nurturing care and grace that will sustain them throughout their formation.

Sr. Chantal Mukase delivered an inspiring message to the participants, encouraging them to see this course as a unique opportunity to strengthen their commitment to religious life as FMA (Daughters of Mary Help of Christians). She emphasized the importance of living and growing together as a community, highlighting that by sharing experiences, joys, and challenges, they can support one another on their journey. “Walking together means supporting and listening to one another and learning from each other’s stories,” she said. “Unite your strengths and share your insights; together, you will be able to overcome difficulties.”

Sr. Chantal also presented three key recommendations for the sisters as they begin their year-long course:

• Remain Rooted in Intimacy with Christ: Citing John 15:4, she urged the sisters to make their relationship with Christ the core of their experience. She encouraged them to view daily prayer and Scripture reading not as a task, but as a “love encounter” with Jesus, their spouse.
• Embrace Humble Openness: Drawing from Luke 18:14, she advised the participants to maintain a teachable heart, open to feedback and the unexpected ways God may form them. She reminded them that true growth often comes from hidden struggles and humbling moments.
• Let the Community Be Your Sacred Soil: Quoting Romans 12:10, Sr. Chantal stressed that community life is a holy ground where they will be refined. She called on them to cherish their sisters and let their love be practical, forgiving, and generous, as they are being shaped together “like stones in a living temple.”

The event concluded with a blessing for the participants and the facilitators who will guide them on their journey, including the provincial, Sr. Rosa Pyngrope, and the animator, Sr. Euginia Laloo. This Intensive Juniorate Course promises to be a period of profound spiritual growth, community building, pastoral experience and vocational strengthening for the temporary professed Sisters.  A specified formation programme will accompany the formative journey of the young Sisters which aimed at helping them prepare for the total consecration to God in the Salesian way of life.