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Rev Fr. Aurelius Maschio sdb
12th February 1909 - 9th September 1996
REV. FR. JOSEPH
CASTI sdb ,PAYS A TRIBUTE TO FATHER
AURELIUS MASCHIO AS HE TAKES OVER AS HIS SUCCESSOR.
REV. FR. AURELIUS MASCHIO, S.D.B.
Rev. Fr. Aurelius Maschio sdb, pioneer and visionary,of the Shrine of Don Bosco's Madonna and its sprawling complex at Matunga, Mumbai is known to literally millions of people in Murnbai, other parts of India and abroad for his prowess in founding several orphanages, shelters and homes for the underprivileged. A little before midday on September 9, 1996 he silently and serenely breathed his last. He is mourned by all his Salesian Confreres, Sisters, Benefactors, well-wishers, beneficiaries of his hard work and generosity and the millions of others who have come into contact with this man of God over more than half a century.
Aurelius Maschio was born to Giuseppe Maschio and Orsolina Della Cia on February 12. 1909 at Vazzola (Treviso), ltaly. He was the sixth of 11 children. Little Aurelius showed early signs of a vocation to the priesthood. At the age of 10 he informed his mother that he wanted to become a priest. In the year 1919, his parents sent him to the Don Bosco Institute at Sampierdrena, Genova.
He was sent from Sampiertlarena to the Aspirantate of 'Penango in October 1923. and at the end of the school year in October 1924, he surprised everybody by asking to be sent to work in the Missions. Joined the missionaries of the Missionary expedition of 1923, the Golden Jubilee year of the Salesian Missions. He was 15 years old and looked like a little boy, in the Basiilca of Vadoco, surrounded by other more mature missionaries.
On November 2, 1924 he set sail from, Venice for Mumbai, to start his novitiate in India. He did his Novitiate in Shillong made his first profession on December 25, 1925. he learned the local language, khasi, so well that he was entrusted with the editing of the local religious magazine, Ka Ling Krisian. Bro. Aurelius did his practical training at Don Bosco Technical School, Shillong and was very successful as a teacher. He was ordained a priest by Msgr. Ferdinand Perrier, Archbishop of Calcutta on April 29, 1933 he was just 24 years. He was then posted to the Mission station at Cherrapunjee.
In 1937 he was asked to head the Salesian work in Mumbai by the then Salesian Provincial, Fr. EgidiusCinato. He arrived at Tardeo on February 19, 1937 and soon bought a plot of land in Matunga. He started a campaign of fund rasing and sent appeals to well-wishers and soon was able to build the small Don Bosco High School. First blocks of a huge school and a boarding. His success was crowned by his election as delegate to the General Chapter-in 1947 and 1952.
Fr. Aurelius had been the Rector of Don Bosco, Matunga for 16 years when in 1953 was replaced by Fr. Mauro Casarotti. He remained at Matunga and continued firs role of provider for the Salesian Institutions in Western India; established his office, built the Shrine of Mary, Hlelp of Christians, published the magazine "Don Bosco's Madonna,", expanded, by writing thousands of letters, the circle of his benefactors and well-wishers.
The
Shrine of Mary Help of Christians (populary known as the
"Don Bosco's Madonna') was opened to public worship in 1957;
it had an artistic and imposing structure, decorated by Italian
marble, statues, mosaics and stain-glass windows. Within a short
time it became one of the most attractive by the punctuality of
its services and the constant presence of priests for the
Sacrament of Reconciliation.
He made very popular among the Christian families of Mumbai. the devotion to Mary Help of Christians, to Don Bosco and to St. Dominic Savio.
As the Salesian Society established the Province of Bombav in 1972, Fr. Aurelius provided the means for the expansion; he made it possible to buy plots of land in the important cities of Maharashtra, Goa and Gujarat, to build institutions, to provide equipment for schools and technical institutes. At present more than 40 impressive Institutions are due to the hard work of Fr. Aurelius, his faith in God's Providence and in Don Bosco's Madonna, his organisational genius
He was buried as per his desire at the Shrine of Don Bossco's Madonna, Matunga on Thursday, Sept. 12. 1996.
- Fr. Joseph Casti sdb