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Kharghuli, Guwahati

Salesian Family Superiors’ Meet at Guwahati highlights Mission, Trust and Collaboration

7 March 2026

Salesian Family,

News reported by: Mukhim Bivan [ING]

The Salesian Family Superiors’ Meet was held at the Don Bosco Institute, Kharghuli, Guwahati, on 6 March, bringing together leaders of various Salesian Family groups from across India and South Asia for a day of prayer, reflection, and collaboration.

The gathering began with the morning prayer led by the FMA Sisters, followed by the Holy Eucharist celebrated by Fr. Biju Michael SDB, General Councillor for South Asia and President of SPCSA. In his homily, Fr. Biju Michael reflected on the day’s readings and emphasised the kind of family needed in the world today.

He noted that every member of the Salesian Family is called to fulfil the mission entrusted to them by God and the Church. “The family today needs support and trust,” he said. “It is only when we build a family of trust that we can take forward the mission of the congregation.”

Highlighting the dangers of jealousy within a community, Fr. Biju Michael referred to the biblical story of Joseph and his brothers. “The brothers of Joseph were jealous of him since his father loved him more than the other sons,” he explained. “They were jealous because Joseph had a full-sleeve coat while they had half-sleeve shirts.” Through this example, he warned that jealousy can bring confusion and division within a family.

Fr. Biju Michael urged members of the Salesian Family to place their trust in the Lord and to work together in unity for the mission entrusted to them. Addressing the youth present at the gathering, he reminded them that the Salesian Family works wholeheartedly for their good and well-being.

At the inaugural session, Fr. Sebastian Kuricheal SDB, Provincial of the Salesian Province of Guwahati, welcomed the participants. In his address, he highlighted the shared responsibility of the various groups within the Salesian Family and encouraged them to continue working collaboratively for the mission of evangelisation and service to young people, especially the poor and the marginalised.

Fr. Sebastian Kuricheal emphasised that the Salesian mission can flourish only when all members work together with a sense of unity and dedication. He encouraged the participants to deepen their collaboration and to renew their commitment to the ideals and values of the Salesian charism.

The day’s programme also included an overview of the Salesian Family presented by Fr Joseph Manipadeth SDB, the South Asia Delegate for the Salesian Family, who explained the richness and diversity of the various groups that form the global Salesian movement. presented an overview of the Salesian Family, highlighting the existing collaboration, the implementation of the deliberations of General Chapter 29 of the Salesians of Don Bosco, and the plans to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the Salesian Cooperators' foundation.

Following this, several Major Superiors from different congregations shared presentations on the Salesian Family’s presence and mission in India and South Asia. These presentations offered participants an opportunity to understand the different ministries and contributions of each group. This was followed by discussions aimed at strengthening cooperation and identifying areas for future collaboration. The representatives of the Salesian Family were Sr. Leelamma Pallipparambil (FMA, PCI President), Sr. Christine Mynsong(MSMHC, Superior General), Sr. Jane Nadackal (SMI, Superior General), Sr. Mabel Dhar(VSDB, Superior General), Sr. Laly Thomas (SMA, General Councillor), and Fr. JosephD’Souza (The Disciples, Founder). Altogether, the Salesian Family in South Asia comprises 7,668 religious members working in 1,231 presences, with direct collaboration in more than 100 of them.

The gathering concluded with prayer, cultural interaction, and fraternal sharing, reaffirming the Salesian Family’s commitment to work together for the welfare and formation of young people.