Kolkata, India - May 2023 - Three years from now, the centenary of the first Salesian Province in India will be celebrated. To prepare for this important anniversary, the Salesian Province of Calcutta inaugurated celebrations on May 27 in the presence of Msgr. Thomas D'Souza, Archbishop of Calcutta, who presided over the Eucharist at the historic Marian Shrine in Bandel. Also present at the event were Fr. Joseph Pauria, Superior of the Salesian Province of Calcutta, Fr. Raphael Hyde, Provincial of the Society of Jesus, and forty-five other priests. Fr. Franklin Menezes, Pro-Vicar of Calcutta Cathedral, thanked the Salesians who took over the Catholic Orphan Press and Cathedral Parish from the Jesuits on Nov. 11, 1925. The Salesians then returned the Parish to the Archdiocese in 1972. Finally, a group of young Salesians presented cultural dances representing five language groups in the Province: Bengali, English, Hindi, Nepali, and Santhali. The program concluded with the centennial hymn composed by Fr. I.C. Jacob and sung by the youth of the "Auxilium" Church under the direction of Peter Gomes. Representatives of the Salesian Family and various institutions were present for the occasion.