SHILLONG: The Salesian family of Shillong-Silchar region attended the inauguration of the bi-centenary celebration of Don Bosco’s birth, at Sacred Heart Theological College, Mawlai on Saturday.
The whole Salesian world has been gearing up for 2015 to celebrate the 200th birth anniversary of Don Bosco, a renowned educationist and apostle of the young.
He was born on August 16, 1815 at Becchi in Italy. He founded a world-wide congregation, the Society of Don Bosco, a congregation which has distinguished itself through the educational service to the youth in need.
The programme at Mawlai began with the solemn Eucharistic celebration at 9.30 am, which was presided over by Fr. George Maliekal SDB, the Provincial of the Salesian Province, Silchar, at the Sacred Heart Shrine, Mawlai.
Present were a number of priests and religious from institutions in and around Shillong together with representatives of the Salesian co-operators and a large group of youths.
After the Holy Mass, there was a short flag hoisting ceremony which was done at the college premises.
Another significant event of the day was a music and dance extravaganza entitled ‘Homage to Don Bosco’, held at the college auditorium, which began at 10.45 am and lasted up to 1 pm. band pieces from the Savio Band, songs, dance, choreography, choir piece, audio-visual presentation among others. The programme ended with a one act musical play entitled ‘Dream at the Age of Nine’.