To Trust Like Don Bosco

By Julia St. Clair, Province Communications Director

(New Rochelle, NY – March 20) – Last week, Fr. Noble Lal, SDB, arrived in the U.S. and visited the Salesian Provincial Center in New Rochelle.

Fr. Noble is the first Pakistani ordained Salesian. He joined the Congregation in 2004 after he came to know the Salesians through his parish priest, a Belgian missionary. “I was impressed by their spirituality and work for the youth,” Fr. Noble recalled. “Don Bosco was 100 years ahead of his time when he started his mission. I realized if [the Salesians] can contribute to our youth, why not me?”

He was ordained on May 24, 2016, and will celebrate his seventh jubilee this year.

For over 20 years, Fr. Noble has served in Pakistan’s two Salesian settings—Quetta near the Afghan border, and Lahore near the Indian border. The Quetta community offers formal education to children in grades one through 12. It also houses a small hostel for girls run by the Good Shepherd Sisters and Elfalha Hotel, a small hostel for boys.

Like the Quetta community, the Lahore community has a formal school for children in grades one through 12. It also offers a boarding hostel, a driving program, and a coaching center. Additionally, the Salesians in Lahore run a technical school that offers programs that range from six months to one year, along with high-tech classes and a three-year associate degree.

Fr. Noble’s work in Pakistan is unique and stands out. “We are two to three Salesians doing the work of over 15 Salesians,” he explained. “[Lay brother] Piero Ramello helps me to run the community in Lahore. It’s very impressive for us, and I feel the experience of Divine Providence assisting us.”

Pakistan is a Muslim country, where Christians make up one percent of the population. They often live in poverty and experience discrimination. As a result, the Salesians receive no government aid for their communities and works. “All our help comes from benefactors and donations,” Fr. Noble detailed. “We have to provide sources and means for our teachers’ salaries and food for the boarding houses.”

Yet Fr. Noble is far from discouraged—he trusts like Don Bosco and feels Divine Providence always at his side. “The Lord sends us the aid and what we need,” he reflected, as he recalled a time when the Salesians feared they would need to expel teachers while helping communities outside the Christian/Muslim border. “Divine Providence came through and protected everyone.”

Fr. Noble beamed as he discussed his joy and love of the Salesian mission. “The Spirit of Don Bosco continues to inspire me,” he remarked. “I feel honored and blessed when I feel our dedication to the youth. Also, Divine Providence is one step ahead of us. We don’t know, but we do things ahead of time, and, when the time comes, we see the Lord help us.”

After having spent two days in New Rochelle, Fr. Noble journeyed to Philadelphia to stay with family. He’ll return to Pakistan on Monday, March 27.

When asked if he had any advice for anyone interested in becoming a Salesian, Fr. Noble happily furthered his love for the Salesian Family and its mission. “It’s a great cause and great work for the youth,” he smiled. “We should be generous and offer ourselves as we help this cause of Don Bosco.”