{"id":18186,"date":"2026-07-27T05:18:56","date_gmt":"2026-07-27T05:18:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/donboscoguwahati.org\/?post_type=province_news&p=18186"},"modified":"2026-07-27T07:37:53","modified_gmt":"2026-07-27T07:37:53","slug":"provincial-congress-of-salesian-cooperators-celebrates-150th-anniversary-with-17-new-cooperators","status":"publish","type":"province_news","link":"https:\/\/donboscoguwahati.org\/index.php\/news\/provincial-congress-of-salesian-cooperators-celebrates-150th-anniversary-with-17-new-cooperators\/","title":{"rendered":"Provincial Congress of Salesian Cooperators Celebrates 150th Anniversary with 17 New Cooperators"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The Provincial Congress of the Salesian Cooperators of the Salesian Province of Guwahati was held at Auxilium Convent, Kokrajhar, on 25\u201326 July 2026, as part of the celebration of the 150th Anniversary of the Foundation of the Association of Salesian Cooperators (ASC). The two-day gathering was centred on the Strenna 2026 theme, “Do Whatever He Tells You” (Jn 2:5), bringing together around 100 Salesian Cooperators from the centres of Mazbat, Garobadha, Guwahati, Kokrajhar, Dotma and Tezpur.<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

The congress commenced on Saturday evening with registration, followed by the inaugural session. Mr. Christopher Fernandez, Provincial Secretary, introduced the programme, while Mr. Manoranjan Basumatary, Host Coordinator, welcomed the delegates. Rev. Sr. Tessy Davis FMA, Host Delegate, delivered the inaugural address after the lighting of the lamp and the proclamation of the Word of God. Representatives from the participating centres presented their annual reports, highlighting the apostolic activities carried out in their respective local communities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A keynote session was animated by Rev. Fr. Sebastian Ishorary SDB, Provincial Councillor and Provincial Delegate for the Salesian Cooperators. He reflected on the role of the Salesian Cooperators, what it means to be a Salesian Cooperator and the need to follow the call to trust in Christ, listen attentively to His voice, and become joyful witnesses of the Gospel through humble and dedicated service. The evening concluded with group discussions, sharing, the Rosary, and the traditional Salesian Good Night.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The second day began with morning prayers and meditation, followed by the hoisting of the flag, a penitential service and confessions, preparing the delegates spiritually for the Eucharistic celebration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The highlight of the congress was the Holy Eucharist, during which 17 new Salesian Cooperators made their Promise, publicly committing themselves to live the Salesian vocation in the spirit of St. John Bosco while remaining fully engaged in their family, professional and social responsibilities. Mr. Lukas Basumatary, Provincial Coordinator of the Salesian Cooperators, formally received the promises on behalf of the Association.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Holy Mass was presided over by Rev. Fr. Bivan R. Mukhim SDB, Vice Provincial. In his homily, Fr. Bivan Mukhim invited the Cooperators to pray constantly for “a listening heart,” echoing King Solomon’s prayer in the first reading (1 Kings 3:5, 7-12), where the young king asked not for riches or power but for a discerning heart to guide God’s people wisely. He reminded the faithful that a listening heart enables Christians to hear the voice of God amidst the noise of daily life and to recognise His will in every circumstance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Reflecting on the Gospel of Matthew (Mt 13:44\u201352), which presents the parables of the hidden treasure, the pearl of great price, and the net, Fr. Bivan stressed that the Kingdom of Heaven is the greatest treasure worth sacrificing everything to attain. He encouraged the Cooperators to deepen their commitment to Christ by placing the values of the Gospel above all worldly possessions and ambitions. He reminded them that true discipleship calls for discernment, wholehearted dedication, and the courage to embrace God’s Kingdom with joy, recognizing its incomparable value.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Drawing the connection between the Gospel and the vocation of Salesian Cooperators, he said that a listening heart naturally leads to compassionate action. He invited them to become silent yet effective apostles by reaching out to families experiencing difficulties, accompanying young people, supporting parish initiatives, and becoming a reassuring presence among neighbours and those who often feel forgotten. “The most convincing witness of a Salesian Cooperator,” he remarked, “is not found in extraordinary works but in ordinary acts of love carried out with extraordinary fidelity.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He further reminded the Cooperators that, inspired by the Gospel, they are called to recognize the Kingdom of God as the greatest treasure and to live as faithful disciples who place Christ above all else. Like the wise householder who brings out treasures both new and old, they are invited to cherish the richness of their faith and generously share it through their witness, building communities marked by faith, service, and Gospel values.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fr. Bivan expressed his appreciation to Rev. Fr. Sebastian Ishorary SDB, Provincial Councillor and Delegate for the Salesian Cooperators, for his dedicated accompaniment, guidance and formation of the Cooperators throughout the Province. He also congratulated Rev. Sr. Tessy Davis FMA and the Auxilium Kokrajhar community for their generous hospitality and meticulous organisation of the congress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Special words of gratitude were extended to Mr. Lukas Basumatary, Provincial Coordinator, for his committed leadership and careful preparation of the provincial gathering. Finally, Fr. Bivan warmly congratulated the 17 newly-promised Salesian Cooperators, encouraging them to remain faithful to their vocation and become authentic witnesses of Don Bosco’s charism in their homes, parishes and society.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Provincial Congress concluded with a fellowship meal, strengthening the bonds of fraternity among the Cooperators as they returned to their respective centres renewed in their commitment to live the Gospel and the Salesian spirit under the maternal guidance of Mary Help of Christians.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The Provincial Congress of the Salesian Cooperators of the Salesian Province of Guwahati was held at Auxilium Convent, Kokrajhar, on 25\u201326 July 2026, as part of the celebration of the 150th Anniversary of the Foundation of the Association of Salesian Cooperators (ASC). The two-day gathering was centred on the Strenna 2026 theme, “Do Whatever He…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":18187,"template":"","meta":[],"class_list":["post-18186","province_news","type-province_news","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"acf":{"featured_image_url":"https:\/\/donboscoguwahati.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/1-43-1024x461.jpeg"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/donboscoguwahati.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/province_news\/18186","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/donboscoguwahati.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/province_news"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/donboscoguwahati.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/province_news"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/donboscoguwahati.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/18187"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/donboscoguwahati.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=18186"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}