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Catholic community according a warm reception to Rector Major of the Salesian Society, Fr. Fernandez Angel Artime at Dimapur Airport on September 11.[/caption]
Dimapur, Sep. 11(EMN): Fr. Fernandez Angel Artime, Rector Major (Superior General) of the Salesian (Don Bosco) Society, visited the Salesian Province of Dimapur on September 10.
Fr. Artime is on tour, visiting the north-eastern states of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur and Nagaland from September 10 to the 14th.
On September 10, the Superior General was warmly welcomed by Fr. Kuruvachira Jose, provincial superior of Dimapur Province, and other members of the Salesian family at Dimapur airport.
A press release issued by Jonas Kerketta, stated that Bosco College of Teacher Education, Dimapur, had accorded warm reception to the visiting dignitaries. Fr. Fernandez Angel Artime was accompanied by his secretary Fr. Horazzio and Fr. Kanaga Maria Arokiam, Regional Councillor for South Asia.
It stated that the escort provided by 20 bikers of the Nagaland Motor Cycle Club from Dimapur airport to the Provincial House was spectacular. Another reception was organised for the Rector Major in the Provincial House.
In his message, Fr. Angel, the 10th successor of St. John Bosco, said he was greatly impressed to meet vibrant units of the Don Bosco alumni in this part of the globe. He told them not to remain cherishing the happy memories of being Don Bosco past pupils but to actively live the values they have imbibed from their ‘alma maters.’
On September 11 morning, the Rector Major was given a public reception in the premises of Don Bosco Higher Secondary School, Dimapur. Over 1,000 youth attended the programme. Dignitaries present on the occasion included Bishop of Kohima, James Thoppil, Bishop of Dibrugarh Joseph Aind, Bishop George Palliparambil, Auxiliary Bishop Dennis Panipitchai, Depyty Commissioner of Dimapur, Kevekha Kevin, former minister of Manipur Francis Ngajokpa, chairman of Riverbelt Colony, members of village council and Salesian family members.
In his five years as Rector Major since 2014, Fr. Angel visited 134 countries and met around 12,000 Salesian members.
In his message on Wednesday, he appreciated the work done by the Salesians and the teachers especially in the field of education in the region. He also acknowledged the presence of the four Bishops who had come to express their solidarity with the Salesians.
To the youth, he said that every Salesian is born precisely for their welfare. He enthralled the audience as he played the guitar and sang three Spanish melodies accompanied by his secretary Fr. Horazzio.
Also speaking on the occasion, Deputy Commissioner, Dimapur, Kevekha Kevin Zehol, exhorted the youth to gratefully accept the guidance offered by the Salesians and not to be misled by social media.
Bishop James Thoppil acknowledged the services of the Salesians and the Salesian family especially in the Diocese of Kohima. He appreciated the encouraging visit of the Rector Major.
Francis Ngajokpa, former minister of Manipur, exhorted all to appreciate the service rendered by the Salesians. He highlighted on the importance of honesty and forgiveness as taught by the Salesian system of education.
The public reception in honour of the Rector Major was enlivened by scintillating performance of Jhumur dance by the youth of Tinsukia; tribal steps by Don Bosco College, Itanagar; traditional song by Kohima Parish; Kuki dance by
Mary Immaculate Parish Imphal; choir by Don Bosco College Kohima; Bihu dance by Don Bosco College Golaghat; and Rongmei dance from Don Bosco College, Maram-Manipur.
This was stated in a press release issued by Jonas Kerketta, Bosco College of Teacher Education, Dimapur.
