DIAMOND JUBILEE CELEBRATIONS

The Province of Mary Help of Christians, Guwahati celebrated its Diamond Jubilee on 17th October 2019 at Don Bosco School grounds. The Province of Mary Help of Christians, Guwahati was bifurcated from the Mother Province of North India (Calcutta) began its journey on 17th October 1959 under the leadership of Fr Anthony Alessi, its first Provincial. Sixty years, down memory lane were years that witnessed the prolific expansion and growth of the Province in all spheres especially in evangelization and catechesis, parish ministry, youth work, education and vocation promotion. Most importantly, it saw the birth of two new provinces – Dimapur (1981) and Shillong (2012).
The grand finale of the Diamond Jubilee Celebrations began in the morning of 17th October, with a spiritual preparation for the Holy Eucharist with the Sacrament of Reconciliation and a devout recitation of the Holy Rosary in different languages. Fr Francesco Cereda then presided over the Holy Eucharist in honour of Mary Help of Christians to whom is our Province dedicated. As many as 150 priests concelebrated in the Holy Eucharist. In his homily, he spoke of the Blessed Virgin Mary, who is our Help and Mother of the Church, as the Woman for difficult times, as the Woman of the fullness of time, and as the Woman of the hour. He also said, “Mary teaches us how to live the preventive system that is the sacrament of presence: to be with the young and the people. We too, like her, must be a Help, help to God’s grace, to bring into the lives of young people, lay people and families, the love of Jesus and of the Gospel.”
At the end of the Eucharist, Fr Cereda released the books, History of the Catholic Church among the Garos by Fr George Plathottam SDB and pictorial life of Don Bosco in English, Assamese, Bodo and Garo languages. They were all published by Don Bosco Communications department of the Province.
After lunch break, the Cultural Extravaganza took place at the same venue. Initially the Bosco Mount Band escorted Fr Cereda, the Chief Guest and other dignitaries from the Provincial House to the pandal with their beautiful band pieces. Later, the enthusiastic youth from the different parts of the province performed the beautifully prepared cultural dances on the stage. It was truly a cultural extravanganza. During the event, the Province had the opportunity to honour Former Provincials, Vice Provincials, Economers and the Major Superiors of the Salesian Family and confreres who completed 60 years or more of religious life from all the three Provinces of the North East: IND, INS and ING.
Fr. Joseph Teron, Vice Provincial, the Chief Coordinator, in his vote of thanks expressed his gratitude to all the communities of the province who had actively participated in the jubilee celebrations. He thanked the Chairman and Provincial, Rev. Fr. Januarius S. Sangma, and all the Council Members. He thanked the School Community and the DBI for their whole hearted support and cooperation in making the event a grand success.