The Provincial House at Panbazar wore a festive look on the morning of 31 January 2026 as the community celebrated the Feast Day of St John Bosco, the father and friend of the young. The day began with a spirit of prayer and gratitude as the community members gathered for the Holy Mass, which was celebrated by Rev. Fr. Sebastian Kuricheal SDB, Provincial of the Salesian Province of Guwahati.

In his introduction at the Holy Mass, the Provincial described the feast as “a day of prayer and thanksgiving.” He invited the community to thank God for the precious gift of St John Bosco, the great educator and tireless apostle of the young. He also urged the confreres to remember in their prayers the Rector Major and his Council, as well as all the Salesians across the world, with special remembrance of the confreres of the Province.

During the homily, Rev. Fr. Sebastian Kuricheal reflected on the appropriateness of the day’s readings for the celebration of Don Bosco’s feast. He highlighted how Don Bosco possessed the extraordinary ability to touch and transform the lives of young people, even those considered difficult or mischievous. Narrating the story of Micky Magone, a mischievous boy whose life changed profoundly after encountering Don Bosco, the Provincial underlined the transformative power of love, trust, and personal care.

Drawing from the Gospel, he reminded the community that just as Jesus invites everyone to respect children and not become a cause of scandal to them, every Salesian is called to uphold the dignity of the young and to love them with the same compassionate heart as Don Bosco. He encouraged the confreres to renew their commitment to the Salesian charism through their daily witness and pastoral engagement.

The celebration of the feast will continue in the evening with the presentation of the Strenna to the members of the Salesian Family, followed by a prayer service in honour of St John Bosco, reaffirming him as the father and friend of the young and a lasting inspiration to all who follow in his footsteps.