The Post-Matric Vocation Camp 2026 for boys was inaugurated at Don Bosco, Kumarikata, Assam, bringing together 13 participants from various parishes of Assam who have gathered to discern God’s call in their lives. The camp, scheduled from 4 to 7 March 2026, seeks to accompany young aspirants in their journey of vocation and spiritual discernment in the spirit of St John Bosco.

The inaugural ceremony was graced by Rev. Fr. Garlapati Michael Kishore, SDB, Vice Provincial of the Salesian Province of Hyderabad (INH), who officially inaugurated the camp. Addressing the participants, Fr. Kishore encouraged the boys to remain joyful and courageous in responding to God’s call. He reminded them that a vocation to priesthood or religious life is a call to holiness lived in everyday life.

“Be happy always in your choice of answering God’s call,” he said, urging the participants to cultivate holiness by “doing ordinary things in an extraordinary way.” He congratulated the Province for its dedicated effort in accompanying aspirants and candidates and expressed the hope that many more young boys would follow the path sown by St John Bosco. Fr. Kishore also emphasized that God calls people in many different ways and that young people must learn to recognize those moments as signs of God’s goodness working in their lives.

Rev. Fr. Nicodim Aind, SDB, Provincial Councillor, Vice Rector of Kumarikata, and Principal of Don Bosco School, Sashipur, spoke to the participants about the universal call that God gives to every person. Referring to the theme “Come and See,” he explained that the vocation camp provides an opportunity for the boys to prayerfully discern God’s plan for their lives. He expressed his hope that the experience would help them discover the love of God and inspire them to generously offer themselves in service to the Lord.

Rev. Fr. Bivan Rodrigues Mukhim, SDB, Vice Provincial of the Guwahati Province, welcomed the participants and encouraged them to pray sincerely during the days of the camp so that they may recognize God’s voice in their lives. He reminded them that through baptism every Christian has already responded to God’s call to be followers of Christ. “Through this vocation camp, you will personally respond to the call to serve God more closely as priests,” he said.

Earlier, Rev. Fr. Amit Chama Lakra, SDB, Rector and Parish Priest of Kumarikata, welcomed the gathering and extended a special greeting to Fr. Garlapati Michael Kishore, Vice Provincial of Hyderabad; Fr. Ernest Rosario, Director of BOSCOM; Fr. Bivan Rodrigues Mukhim, Vice Provincial; Fr. Nicodim Aind, Principal of Sashipur; the fathers and brothers present; and in a particular way the Vocation Promoter, Rev. Fr. John Mathias M. Marak, SDB, along with the participants of the camp.

Fr. John Mathias M. Marak, SDB, Vocation Promoter of the Province, also welcomed everyone on behalf of the boys attending the vocation camp and expressed gratitude for the guidance and encouragement given by the Salesian confreres.