The Salesian Province of Mary Help of Christians, Guwahati, bade a prayerful farewell to Fr Xavier Tete SDB on Saturday, 3 October 2026. He died at St John’s Hospital, Guwahati, at 6.20 pm on Friday, 2 October 2026, after a brief illness. He was 54 years old and in the sixteenth year of his priesthood.
Fr Xavier was admitted to St John’s Hospital on 25 September with a severe infection that spread rapidly through his body. Despite the dedicated care of the doctors, nurses and Sisters of the hospital, his condition worsened, and he spent his last days in the ICU on oxygen support. Confreres throughout the province united in prayer for his recovery. On the day of his death, confreres visited him, prayed at his bedside and administered the Anointing of the Sick.
On the morning of 3 October, concelebrated Requiem Masses were offered at the Provincial House, Guwahati, at 7.00 am and 10.30 am. The Funeral Mass was celebrated at 2.30 pm at St Joseph’s Co-Cathedral Church, Panbazar. Most Rev. Michael Akasius Toppo, Bishop of Tezpur, was the main celebrant, along with Fr Sebastian Kuricheal SDB, Provincial, and several concelebrating priests. Religious, family members, and faithful from the parishes and schools where he had served filled the church.
In his funeral oration, Fr Sebastian Kuricheal recalled Fr Xavier as a simple, humble, cheerful and hard-working missionary who went wherever obedience sent him. He thanked the Bishop, the Sisters, doctors and nurses of St John’s Hospital, and the Salesian community of Dimakuchi. All of them had cared for Fr Xavier during his illness.
After the Funeral Mass, condolence messages were read, and Bishop Michael Akasius of Tezpur led the Prayers of Commendation. Fr Xavier was then laid to rest at the Christian Cemetery, Uzan Bazar, Guwahati.
Fr Xavier was born in 1972 at Kharwagarha, near Jaldega, in the Diocese of Simdega, Jharkhand, the son of the late Mr Francis Tete and Mrs Carlina Dungdung. He entered the novitiate at Sunnyside, Shillong, and made his first profession on 24 May 2002 and his perpetual profession on 23 May 2009. After studying theology at Sacred Heart Theological College, Shillong, he was ordained a priest on 9 January 2010 at Lachragarh, Jharkhand.
He did his practical training at Don Bosco Technical School, Maligaon, and at Mendal. As a priest, he served at Bosco Mount, Rongkhon (Tura), Doomni, Shallang, Damra, Tangla, Gojapara and Sojong, where he was Principal of the school. Since 2023, he has served at Dimakuchi as Assistant Parish Priest and Vice Rector. He spoke Sadri, Hindi, English and Garo, and held degrees in arts, education and Christianity.
Confreres remember him as a dedicated teacher and pastor who prepared his classes and sermons with care. He visited the villages tirelessly, inspired young people, and played the flute beautifully. Many described his death as sudden and untimely. As one confrère wrote, it was untimely for us, but timely for the Lord.
May he rest in peace!
News Courtesy: Fr Joy Kachappilly SDB
