The year-long centenary celebrations of the Don Bosco Society in Northeast began on 12th January 2022 at Guwahati with the hoisting of the centenary flag by the Chief Guest, Most Reverend John Moolachira Archbishop of Guwahati at a solemn function at Don Bosco, Provincial House.

The Youth of Don Bosco Institute performed various items and sang the centenary anthem. Archbishop in his address said, “Today we congratulate the Don Bosco Society for their presence and phenomenal contribution; we’re grateful to them for what they have done, for what they are doing and for what they continue to do for the people of Northeast India.”

In his welcome speech, Fr. Januarius S Sangma, the Provincial said, “The arrival of the first group of eleven missionaries was the beginning of a glorious chapter in the history of North east, that is replete with missionary adventures and achievements which deserve to be written in letters of gold.”

The Don Bosco past pupils organized a blood donation camp on the occasion.

A book, titled ‘Journeying with Mary Help of Christians’ which is the Memoirs Bro. Gomersindo Cid Losada, one of the first eleven missionaries, edited by Fr. Kuriala Chittattukalam was released on the occasion. The book is a window into the heroic life of the early missionaries, who struggled to establish the various Don Bosco Institutions for the welfare of the people of Northeast India.

Heads of communities belonging to various religious congregations, the members of the Salesian family and other invited guests participated in the inaugural programme.

After the inauguration, the Archbishop presided over a special Holy Eucharist at St. Joseph’s Co-Cathedral Church and invoked God’s blessings on all gathered for the celebration.

The other regions and sub-regions of the Province of Guwahati, namely Garo Hills, Bodoland, Karbi Anglong, Assam plains and Kamrup also organized inaugural celebrations at various Don Bosco Institutions by way of flag hoisting and other cultural programmes.
(Dr. Fr. John Parankimalil, SDB, Director, Don Bosco Communications, Guwahati)