The height of the Jubilee celebration was the thanksgiving Holy Eucharist, presided over by His Excellency, Leopoldo Girelli, the Apostolic Nuncio to India.
The lighting of the jubilee lamp by his Excellency, the nuncio, the Provincial, Fr. Davis Maniparamben and other dignitaries flagged off the jubilee events. The Nuncio, in his homily shared that the biblical figure of the Shepherd, a common imagery of the Old Testament, is applied in the first place to God himself. Certain chosen personalities and leaders assigned for a specific task are also referred to by this title. In the invitation of the Word of God to being shepherds, we come across the figure of Don Bosco, the father and friend of the youth of his time. His Excellency was delighted to recall his experience as a young priest in Bergamo, Italy where he served the youth through oratories - a house for prayer, religious instruction and recreation, an approach immensely made popular in Northern Italy by Don Bosco. “The oratory is a space as well as a method”, he concluded.
In his Jubilee message, His Excellency exhorted the Salesians to be faithful to Don Bosco. “Have a passionate love for the young, for the Church and for the missions where the gospel is being awaited.” Recommending three considerations for the future of the Province, His Excellency imparted the Apostolic Blessings of the Holy Father, Pope Francis.
During the felicitation programme, the former provincials, Fr. Mathai Velappallil (Delegate), Fr. Joseph Kezhakkekara, Fr. Charles Lobo, Fr. Miachael Peedikayil and Fr. Jose Mathew recalled with gratitude their experiences of leading the province. They were honoured with a shawl and jubilee memento by the present provincial, Fr. Davis Maniparamben.
A pre-recorded message of the Rector Major, Rev. Fr. Ángel Fernández Artime was shared on the screen. He invited the confreres of the province to “live a deeper fascination for the Lord Jesus and be always among the young people, especially among the poorest ones.” Fr. Biju Michael, the regional superior conveyed the message and best wishes of Rector Major. ‘Blast the trumpet of gratitude for the 25 years of blessings and remain ever firm in the love of Don Bosco and the mission, he said in his congratulatory message.
The Provincial, Fr. Davis Maniparamben in his message said that the centrality of the jubilee celebration is not our achievements, but rather a grateful celebration of God’s gratuitous call and His constant accompaniment in our life and ministry. After giving an account of the journey of the province, he said that the “the journey we have made and the miles we have covered with faith, enthusiasm, good will, hard work, sacrifices, initiatives and creativity – with the Lord and for the Lord; for the young and with the young, we will continue ‘ONWARD TOGETHER” as faithful sons of Don Bosco, with Moher Mary, Help of Christians by our side.” He reminded of the need to remain ever vibrant, opening up new frontiers for educating, evangelizing and empowering, with Salesian predilection, young people who are poorer and most in need.
