SHILLONG: Fr Busolin Battista, a priest belonging to the congregation of the Salesians of Don Bosco who worked among the Garos for more than six decades, breathed his last at 7.20 am on Saturday at Holy Cross Hospital in Tura. He was 94.
The funeral Mass will be held on Monday at 10.30 am at Sacred Heart Shrine at Chandmari in Tura, which will be followed by the funeral rites at the Bosco Mount Cemetery at Rongkhon.
Fr Busolin was born on January 16, 1922, at Padua, Italy. He made his first profession on August 16, 1940, and was ordained a priest on July 3, 1949.
He often referred to the Garos as “Garos: My Beloved People.” After his ordination he landed in the Assam Mission and was sent to Damra as the Assistant Parish Priest.
He also worked in Baghmara, Rongjeng, Garobadha, Rongkhon and Tura. He set up many schools for the people and built a number of churches in the villages, besides dispensaries and health centres.
The Don Bosco College and the Don Bosco College of Teachers’ Education, both in Tura, are some of his contributions to the State.
In 2015, he was awarded by the Chief Minister for his contributions to education and social services in Garo Hills.
There will be a concelebrated Requiem Mass at 6 pm on Sunday at Don Bosco Junior College in Tura.
