Fr Ãngel Fernández Artime, Rector Major of the Salesians across the world and the 10th Successor of Don Bosco, on Tuesday said what comes from God will live among us for a long period of time.
“It is God’s work therefore it lasts, if it was a human venture, it would have already disappeared,” said Fr Artime, while presiding over the concluding triple ceremony of the Salesian Province of Panjim.
The Salesians in Goa celebrated 75 years of the arrival of the first Salesians in Goa, 75 years of the establishment of Don Bosco High School, Panaji and 50 years of the foundation of the Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima.
Speaking at the homily during the Holy Eucharist celebrated in thanksgiving to God and to Our Lady, the Rector Major said, “We have lived the past, but as we live the present especially in these times, like Don Bosco, we have to truly make it an experience of God’s love to the poor and the needy.”
He appealed to the past pupils and people gathered at the function to ask for the gift of grow in faith and to be instruments of doing good in society.
Earlier, he was welcome by the youngsters, past pupils, Salesian family members and the Salesians at the Don Bosco Panjim campus.
The Rector Major later inaugurated the newly installed Azulejo depicting the Don Bosco’s presence in Panaji and also inaugurated the newly built Synthetic Turf ground.
He honoured the famous past pupils in the field of sports: Indian footballer Arjuna Awardee Brahmanand Sankhwalkar, Coach Armand Colaco and FC Goa player Muhammad Ali.
Past pupils of Don Bosco, well known cardiologist Dr Rufino Monteiro, businessman Kirit Maganlal and Adv Gaurish Agni, raised the toast. Youngsters from Don Bosco institutions put up dances, songs and other programmes.
Others present at the celebrations included Fr Biju Michael, Regional Councillor for South Asia, Provincial Fr Felix Fernandes, Provincial delegate Fr Clive Telles, Rector Fr Avin Carvalho, Shrine incharge Fr Loddy Pires, all the rectors and Salesian fathers, brothers, sisters and diocesan priests.
