The Salesian Province of Mary Help of Christians, Guwahati, joyfully celebrated New Priests’ Day 2026 on Saturday, 7 February 2026, at Mario Hall, Provincial House, Panbazar. The celebration brought together confreres, communities, and well-wishers to thank God for the gift of new priestly vocations to the Province.

The highlight of the day was the solemn Holy Eucharist at 10:00 a.m., which set a deeply prayerful and fraternal tone for the celebrations. This year’s liturgy carried a unique and touching moment: one of the companions, who is scheduled to be ordained on 14 April 2026, proclaimed the Gospel as a deacon. What made the moment particularly moving was that he was blessed by his own companion before the Gospel reading symbolising a companion blessing his fellow companion, a rare and beautiful sign of brotherhood, shared vocation, and mutual support within the Salesian family.

Speaking during the felicitation of the new priests, Rev. Fr Sebastian Kuricheal, SDB, Provincial, expressed profound gratitude to God for the abundant blessings received by the Province. “We have received many graces from the Lord as a Province. These new priests are a testament to God’s blessings bestowed upon us,” he said. Addressing the new priests, the Provincial reminded them that ordination marks the completion of one phase of formation, but ongoing formation never ends. “This is the time for self-formation,” he noted, adding that priests are continually shaped and tested by community life and by the people they serve. “The Lord is your guide, and He will direct your day-to-day life as a priest.”

Fr Kuricheal offered three key guidelines to the new priests and to all those present. First, he emphasised that priests are called to be a communion of consecrated priests, a precious gift from God that must be made fruitful before God and His people. “If communion is missing, it is of no use,” he stressed. Second, he highlighted the importance of community life, reminding the priests that living and working in community provides strength, support, and growth. Third, he underlined the missionary call to be sent to the people, especially the young, urging priests to let go of ego and to serve with humility, following the example of Jesus who remained constantly united with the Father and sent His disciples two by two with a clear mission.

Calling the new priests to fidelity, the Provincial encouraged them to be faithful to the works entrusted to them by the Province and the community, to be a visible sign of Christ’s love—particularly to the young and to carry out their mission with joy, rooted in a deep union with God. He also informed the gathering that, as part of their missionary formation, all newly ordained priests have been appointed as Assistant Parish Priests, enabling them to gain vital pastoral experience. He concluded by urging them to be “Another Christ,” bringing honour and a good name to the Province through their dedicated service to God’s people.

The celebration continued with a felicitation programme marked by warm words of welcome, congratulation song, messages, and expressions of gratitude, followed by a fraternal meal.