IDAYADEEPAM TURNS SILVER!

Posted by Dominic Matthews

Idaya Deepam, the Salesian Novitiate of the Province of Chennai, celebrated its Silver Jubilee on the 26th of October. It has been a great gift from God, a real boon to the Salesian India, a lighthouse to the hill, a powerhouse of the provinces, a star of hope to the young and a loving home to hundreds. Apart from the hundreds of children, youth and families, for the hundreds of young novices who have passed through these portals, it has been, it is and it will always remain, the Light of our hearts!

    The celebration began with the Holy Eucharist presided over by the Rt. Rev.Dr.Soundaraju, SDB, Bishop of Vellore, concelebrated byRev. Fr. K.M. Jose, Provincial, Chennai Province, the former Novice Masters – Fr. Sagayaraj Philomenathan and Fr. Arulanandham Devasagayam, the confreres of the community and other priests of the province.

    The Holy Eucharist began at 10:45 a.m. Fr. K.M. Jose, the Provincial of Chennai, gave the words of introduction. Rev.Dr. Soundaraju,SDB, Bishop of Vellore, in his Sermon, stated that the religious are the reflections of the Divine. He also added that the quality of the religious hinged on the quality of formation.

    The Eucharistic celebration was followed by the Felicitation Ceremony during which all the former Novice Masters were honoured for their dedicated service in the growth of Idayadeepam. One from the batches of each Novice Master shared their memorable experience during their novitiate epoch. The grace filled dances by the Amala Anjali Hostel girls and the Night School children and the mime by the present Novices, added colour and flavor to the programme. The felicitation ceremony ended with words of gratitude by Fr. Pathiaraj Rayappan, the present Novice Master followed by a hymn thanking God for Don Bosco, our Father and founder.

    A grand lunch was served after the Felicitation ceremony. At 2:30 p.m., all the fathers and brothers, assembled in their different batches around their Novice Masters. It turned out to be anunforgettable rendezvous for all. In the evening, tea and snacks were served for all. All departed withmemorable thoughts and feelings, marking yet another remarkable day in their journey of life.

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