Fr. Santiagu Thomas, Provincial, welcomed the gathering and extended heartfelt gratitude to Fr. Biju for animating the communities and acknowledged the hard work put in by the confreres.
Fr. Biju, representing Rector Major, undertook the visitation, announced on June 21, 2024. Spanning three months from August 30 to November 28, the visitation included visits to 31 communities across the province. Fr. Biju engaged with confreres, lay collaborators, and beneficiaries of the province’s ministry to gain a comprehensive understanding of its operations and challenges.
In his report, Fr. Biju acknowledged the Hyderabad Province’s rich legacy, noting its establishment in 1992 and its 32 years of service. He commended the confreres for their thorough preparation, which included detailed documentation to facilitate the visitation's objectives.
Highlighting the purpose of the extraordinary visitation, Fr. Biju outlined its five-fold intention: to evaluate the current state of the province, identifying strengths and areas needing improvement. To understand the challenges faced by the confreres. To provide direction to address challenges and achieve the province’s goals. To support implementation of decisions and plans made during the visitation. To accompany confreres in their journey, offering ongoing support.
Fr. Biju lauded the province's efforts in apostolic work, particularly its focus on serving the poor, advancements in self-sustainability, and infrastructure development. He praised the confreres’ strong sense of belonging, their care for the elderly and sick, and the growing number of aspirants and pre-novices preparing for Salesian life.
“The province is blessed with a good median age, confreres who are gifted and committed, and a mission guided by Don Bosco’s dreams,” Fr. Biju remarked during his homily at the concluding Eucharistic celebration. He urged the confreres to remain humble, strong, and energetic in their mission to serve the young, drawing inspiration from Mary’s counsel to Don Bosco.
Fr. M. Wilson Jose delivered a vote of thanks, praising Fr. Biju’s inspiring leadership and his ability to speak truth with clarity and love. The assembly concluded on a hopeful note, signalling a renewed commitment to the province’s mission.
