By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: The first Salesian aspirantate in the region, Savio Juniorate also known as the cradle of the Salesian vocation on Thursday culminated its year-long Golden Jubilee celebrations.
Started in 1962 with only 78 students, Savio Juniorate-a Don Bosco Institution grew in strength with each passing year and during the 50 years, the institution trained nearly 3000 students and 500 religious priests.
The opening session was marked by Holy Mass presided over by the Arch Bishop of Shillong, Rev Dominic Jala, in the presence of Arch Bishop Thomas Menamparampil (retired), Bishop Joseph Aind of Dribrugarh besides other parish priests and priests from the Selesian Congregation.
In his speech, Arch Bishop Most Rev Dominic Jala said that this institution has provided an opportunity for the students to learn and respect the cultures and traditions of different communities all over the country. “The students need to be firm in their beliefs”, he said.
Its history begins with the erection of the Salesian province of Guwahati in 1959.
Keeping in mind the development of the incipient province, the superiors, under the dynamic leadership of Rev. Fr. Anthony Alessi SDB, thought about the possibility of starting an aspirantate.
To this end, a plot of land was bought in 1960, and in November 1961, the foundation stone of the new aspirantate was blessed by the then Apostolic Internuncio to India, Most. Rev. J.R. Knox.
Though the building was far from complete, life began at Savio Juniorate, the first Salesian aspirantate in this vast mission field, on 11th October 1962.
It was canonically erected in 1964. Savio Juniorate saw the light of day as a result of the foresight, dynamism and hard work of Rev. Fr. Aloysius Ravalico.
The second session celebration kicked off with utmost solemnity and gaiety with various programmes and activities organised by the students and past pupils of this institution.
Also present, Meghalaya Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC) Chairman Ronnie V Lyngdoh who is also the finance secretary of the Past Pupil association of the institution said that even though many of them couldn’t achieve priesthood yet they can still serve the people in many ways as ‘Service to man is service to God’.
During the year-long celebration, various activities were undertaken which included leadership training and job oriented training programmes for Ri Bhoi at Nongpoh, Inter-school basket ball tournament for Girls in Jaintia Hills, parents-teachers inter-active programmes on social issues for West Khasi Hills at Nongstoin besides others.
Most Rev Jala also released the Golden Jubilee Souvenir in the presence of Arch Bishop Thomas Menamparampil (ritired) and the celebration was ended with the rolling down of flag and the release of the balloons by the students.