(ANS – Siliguri) – The Rector Major’s visit to the Kolkata Province this weekend involved a large number of meetings and other events. Everywhere he went, the Rector Major aroused enthusiasm and shared his refelctions.

On 8 November, the second day of his visit to the North Bengal region, the Rector Major, Fr. Pascual Chavez, blessed and inaugurated a new Academic block at Salesian College, Sonada, to mark the platinum jubilee (1928-2013) of its foundation. After a short prayer service, Fr Chávez cut the ribbon and Bishop Stephen Lepcha of Darjeeling diocese gave the final blessing. Then Fr. Chavez presided over the Eucharist, the focal moment of the Platinum Jubilee celebration, and was present for the felicitation and cultural programme.

In the afternoon Fr. Chávez, arrived in Siliguri, where he was escorted by a Border Security Force (BSF) band and by the parishioners of Don Bosco Shrine with a folk dance, from the front of the School to the Don Bosco residence. There followed a splendid display of talent, energy and culture, by boys and girls, youngsters, novices and the Orchestra, and an interactive session.

The next day the Rector Major paid a visit to Salesian College Siliguri and blessed the Foundation stone and plaque for a new building on the campus. Afterwards the students of the College entertained the guest of honour with a Kashmiri folk dance and a Bollywood dance.

Finally Fr Chávez visited the Nazareth Bhavan Salesian Novitiate, Siliguri on 9th November and spent an hour and fifteen minutes in the novitiate community. There are 20 Novices - 10 for Kolkata province, 7 for New Delhi and 3 for Guwahati.

Addressing the novices, the Rector Major said that the novitiate is not the most important phase of formation, because formation does not move from one stage to another. The candidate becomes a Salesian step by step. In contrast to the vocation of numerous Don Bosco volunteers who take a personal initiative to serve the Salesian mission for a few years, the Rector Major said that the vocation of a Salesian is an initiative of God. “You are not volunteers. You have been chosen by Jesus who has fixed his gaze on each of you” he said.

Fr Chávez then left to return to Calcutta. He visited Don Bosco Park Circus, where he had a special programme with the senior students. A tea party was organized and there he met the heads of various Religious Orders in Kolkata and the members of the Salesian Family. The Rector Major presided over a Holy Eucharist and gave them a message centred on these key words: Life, Family, Education, Evangelization and Vocation Promotion.

Published 11/11/2013