Most Rev John Moolachira D.D., the Archbishop of Guwahati during the Silver Jubilee of Snehalaya.
Snehalaya, the ‘House of Love’ and the Young at Risk (YaR) centre of the Guwahati Province, marked a significant milestone on Wednesday 08th October 2025 as it celebrated its Silver Jubilee, commemorating twenty-five years of dedicated service to marginalized and vulnerable children.
The celebratory event was held at the Social Forum Auditorium in Kharghuli, commencing with a solemn Holy Mass that served as a moment of thanksgiving. The gathering was attended by delegates of YaR, South Asia, alongside a host of priests, sisters, and lay people specially invited to honor the centre’s quarter-century of transformative work.
The Holy Mass was presided over by the Most Rev John Moolachira D.D., the Archbishop of Guwahati. In his address, the Archbishop lauded the immense contribution of the Salesians to the city through the five homes operating under the Snehalaya banner.
During his homily, Archbishop Moolachira offered a heartfelt tribute to the Snehalaya community, singling out its leadership under Father Lukose Cheruvalel. He praised their “patient” dedication, noting their extraordinary capacity to “bear with children their contribution of harm and naughtiness, yet he goes ahead and takes their sides.” This poignant remark highlighted the compassionate and forgiving ethos at the heart of the institution’s mission.
Turning his attention to the core beneficiaries of Snehalaya’s work, the Archbishop also congratulated all the children present. He encouraged them to draw inspiration from the biblical children who were brought to Jesus for blessings, urging them to always seek solace and guidance in their faith.
Looking to the future, Archbishop Moolachira offered prayers that the centre would continue to be a beacon of hope, guiding the youth who need it most. He concluded with a call to action, appealing to the wider community to “be generous in their services to the poor and the marginalized,” reinforcing the spirit of charity that Snehalaya has embodied for the past twenty-five years.
The Silver Jubilee celebration not only honored a legacy of love and service but also reaffirmed the commitment to nurturing and protecting Guwahati’s most at-risk youth for years to come. Rev Fr Sebastian Kuricheal SDB, Provincial and other Salesians were present at the Holy Mass to commemorate the Silver Jubilee of Snehalaya.
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