(ANS – Guwahati) – His Excellency Archbishop Salvatore Pennacchio, the Vatican Ambassador to India on his way to Shillong was warmly received by the Salesians at the LGB International Airport, Guwahati on 23rd June. At the airport the visiting dignitary was presented with a plaque by the Salesian Provincial of Guwahati and the President of the Conference of Religious of India Rev Father VM Thomas. Most Rev. Dominic Jala, the Archbishop of Shillong, was also present at the airport to receive the ambassador.

By Fr. Bivan R. Mukhim, SDB

At a function held at the Don Bosco headquarters, Panbazar on 24th June, the visiting Ambassador presented a statue of the educator saint and friend of the young St. John Bosco to the Salesian Provincial of Guwahati as a gesture of appreciation for the significant contribution of the Don Bosco family to the North East Region. He offered floral tributes to the statue of Don Bosco.

“It is indeed a matter of great honour and pride for the Salesian family to be recognized by the Church especially during the bicentenary year of the birth of Don Bosco.” Father VM Thomas said on receiving the statue from Archbishop Pennacchio. “I deemed it a privilege that the Papal delegate himself presented the statue. This kind of gesture speaks volumes of the Church’s recognition of our contribution to the people of the North East,” Fr Thomas said.  

The Nuncio was overwhelmed at the reception he received from the Don Bosco family members and thanked them for their contribution to the society. He told those who were gathered at the reception that when he was a kid he had a great desire to become a Salesian. The Vatican Ambassador recalled the visit of the relic of Don Bosco to India. He said that the relic brought about a new spirit and vigour in the Salesian work. “Today the Salesians have contributed significantly to the region especially in the field of education and youth empowerment. The Salesians are being remembered with much love for their humanitarian services which have impacted almost every nook and corner of this region,” Archbishop Pennacchio said.  

Published 01/07/2015