India - Installation of 15th Provincial of Salesian Province of St. Thomas, the apostle, Chennai (INM)

06 February 2023
India - Installation of 15th Provincial of Salesian Province of St. Thomas, the apostle, Chennai (INM)

Chennai, India – February 2023 - Fr. Don Bosco LOURDUSAMY sdb was installed as the 15th Provincial of the Salesian Province of Chennai (INM) on 4th February 2023 at St. Mary's Co-Cathedral, Chennai. Fr. Biju Michael sdb, Regional Councilor for the South Asia Region, presided over the Eucharistic celebration. At the outset of the installation ceremony, a brief biography of the new Provincial was read. The official letter from Rev. Fr. Angel Fernandez Artime, the Rector Major of the Salesians of Don Bosco, designating Fr. Biju Michael as his official representative at the installation ceremony, was then read aloud by Fr. Dominic Matthews, the Province Secretary. At the beginning of the mass, Fr. Jose KOCHAMKUNNEL, the outgoing Provincial, welcomed the priests and the faithful. During the homily, Fr. Biju Michael spoke about SERVANT LEADERSHIP and how to BE FRUITFUL IN SERVING GOD FAITHFULLY. Following the homily, Fr. Biju Michael read the Rector Major's official letter of appointment of Fr. Don Bosco Lourdusamy as the Provincial of Salesian Province of Chennai from 2023-2029. Fr. Don Bosco made a profession of faith, took the oath of fidelity, and signed the document, together with the witnesses, Frs. Bellarmine and Tharsius. Fr. K.M. Jose handed over the report of the Province to the new Provincial. The Eucharistic celebration was well-organized and well-attended by hundreds of Salesians, priests of the diocese, members of the Salesian Family, dear and near ones of the new Provincial, well-wishers, friends, and young people. Several Provincials and representatives from other Salesian provinces of India were also present for this auspicious event.

The Eucharist was followed by a short felicitation function by Fr. Ernest Rosario, Director of DBICA. After the prayer song, the following dignitaries were felicitated, namely: Most. Rev. Dr. Anthonisamy Neethinathan (Bishop of Chingleput Diocese), Most. Rev. Dr. George Rajendran sdb (Syro-Malabar Bishop of Thuckalay), Rev. Msgr. John Robert (Diocesan Administrator of Vellore Diocese), Fr. Biju Michael (Regional Councilor for South Asia), Fr. Jose Thomas Koyickal (Provincial of Bangalore), Fr. Savio Silveira (Provincial of Mumbai), Fr. Maniparamben Davis (Provincial of New Delhi), Fr. Banzelao (Vice Provincial of Panjim), Fr. Januarius S. Sangma (Provincial of Guwahati), Fr. Santiagu Thomas (Provincial of Hyderabad), Fr. Paul Olphindro Lyngkot (Provincial of Shillong), Fr. Agilan Sarprasadam (Provincial of Trichy), Sr. Velankanni Antony (Asst. Superior General of SMA), Sr. Nirmala Lazar (FMA Provincial of Chennai) and Sr. Majella Fernando (Provincial Designate of FMA Province of Trichy).

Fr. Bellarmine, Rector of Becchi - Don Bosco, Kavarapettai, felicitated and thanked Fr. K.M. Jose, the outgoing Provincial, for the yeoman service rendered to the Province during the past six years. In his thanksgiving message, Fr. K.M. Jose thanked the Provincial Council members, Rectors, heads of various commissions, the Province Secretary, and the Provincial Secretary for their constant support during his term of leadership.

Fr. Rajkumar, Rector of Don Bosco Provincial House, Chennai felicitated the new Provincial Fr. Don Bosco and elucidated the leadership qualities that he had always possessed from his early days. He also enumerated his love for the missions and his special concern for the sick and the old. The new Provincial in his maiden address thanked the outgoing Provincial for his great service rendered to the Province. He stressed that authority is always connected to service and the power of the cross. He also enumerated that preparation, participation, and communion are essential to be faithful to God's call.

Fr. Bosco proposed a few new schemes namely: INM Policy for Long Service Benefit Fund for the Support Staff, INM Policy for Vulnerable Children, and Medical Insurance Policy for the parents of Salesians. He thanked all the dignitaries, Salesians, Salesian Family Members, and his own family members for their presence during this occasion. In a special way, he thanked and felicitated Fr. Dominic Matthews, the Province Secretary, for his immense service during the past six years and he introduced the new Province Secretary Fr. A. Joseph Franklin, and the new Provincial Secretary Fr. Jerry Arumainathan. The felicitation program concluded with a hymn to Don Bosco.

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