Dimapur, June 27, 2026: The Annual Salesian Family Day of the Salesian Province of Dimapur was celebrated with great joy and a spirit of communion on Saturday, 27 June, at Don Bosco Provincial House, Dimapur. Members of the various branches of the Salesian Family gathered to celebrate their common vocation, deepen their Salesian identity, and renew their commitment to the mission entrusted to them by St. John Bosco.
Fr. Vice Provincial, Rev. Fr. Kapani Deli David (SDB) warmly welcomed the members of the Salesian Family who had gathered for the annual celebration. He also thanked them for their collaboration and for carrying out their ministry with dedication on behalf of the young people on daily basis. Fr. Joseph Pampackal, SDB, Provincial of Dimapur, extended a special welcome to the Salesian Family Delegate, Fr. Shilanand Kerketta, SDB, by honouring him with a traditional Naga muffler, a gesture symbolizing fraternity, respect, and the rich cultural heritage of the region.
The gathering brought together representatives of the Salesians of Don Bosco (SDB), Daughters of Mary Help of Christians (FMA), Missionary Sisters of Mary Help of Christians (MSMHC), Visitation Sisters of Don Bosco (VSDB), Salesian Cooperators (ASC), and the Past Pupils of Don Bosco. Although the Disciples Sisters, Sisters of Mary Immaculate (SMI), and the Association of the Devotees of Mary Help of Christians (ADMA) could not be present, they remained united with the Salesian Family in spirit.
A major highlight of the morning was the animation session conducted by Fr. Shilanand Kerketta, who presented a chapter-by-chapter overview of Pope Leo XIV’s latest encyclical, Magnifica Humanitas (“Magnificent Humanity”). He unfolded the document systematically, highlighting its principal themes, key teachings, and pastoral insights. Emphasizing human dignity, fraternity, solidarity, missionary discipleship, and the Church’s responsibility to build a compassionate and hope-filled society, he invited the participants to embody the encyclical’s vision in their daily apostolic commitment to the young and the poor.
Following a fellowship tea break, the celebration continued with a lively Salesian Family gathering during which the participating groups presented songs, dances, and cultural performances. The programme reflected the joy, unity, and diversity that characterize the Salesian charism and strengthened the bonds of fraternity among the members.
Addressing the gathering, Fr. Joseph Pampackal, SDB, invited the participants to recognize the extraordinary vision and genius of St. John Bosco. He observed that Don Bosco understood that it would be impossible for a single congregation—the Salesians of Don Bosco alone—to reach the millions of young people spread across the world. Inspired by this conviction, Don Bosco gave birth to a vast movement that eventually became the Salesian Family by founding the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians, the Salesian Cooperators, the Association of the Devotees of Mary Help of Christians (ADMA), and the Past Pupils, while numerous other groups were subsequently established through the apostolic initiatives of his spiritual sons and daughters.
Drawing an analogy from economics, Fr. Pampackal described the Salesian Family as a remarkable example of the “multiplier effect.” Just as one investment multiplies its impact, Don Bosco’s vision of fostering multiple vocations has enabled the Church to reach exponentially more young people than any single congregation could accomplish alone. Referring to the fact that nearly sixty percent of the world’s population is below the age of thirty, he emphasized that such a vast and urgent mission requires the collaboration of all branches of the Salesian Family, each contributing according to its unique vocation while remaining united in the same Salesian spirit.
He concluded by encouraging every member to take pride in their Founder, St. John Bosco, their Salesian spirit, their vocation, and their common mission of bringing Christ’s love and hope to the young. Expressing gratitude for the gift of belonging to such a vibrant spiritual family, he joyfully concluded his address with the words, “Long live Don Bosco!”
The celebration reached its spiritual summit with the solemn celebration of the Holy Eucharist, during which Fr. Joseph Pampackal delivered a deeply inspiring homily centered on the day’s liturgical readings. Reflecting on the lament of the Prophet Jeremiah, the faith of the Roman centurion, and the healing of Peter’s mother-in-law, he presented three defining characteristics of every member of the Salesian Family: “a heart that feels, a faith that intercedes, and hands that serve.”
Beginning with the image of Jeremiah mourning over the suffering of children, the Provincial reminded the congregation that Don Bosco’s mission began with a compassionate heart that allowed itself to be moved by the cries of abandoned and neglected young people. He observed that although the challenges facing today’s youth have changed—from material poverty to loneliness, broken families, anxiety, addiction, and a loss of purpose—their cry remains as urgent as ever. He challenged the Salesian Family to ask themselves whether they still hear that cry, reminding them that “a Salesian Family that no longer hears the cry of the young has lost its soul.”
Turning to the Gospel account of the Roman centurion, Fr. Pampackal described him as a model of intercessory faith. Just as the centurion approached Jesus on behalf of his servant, every Salesian is called to bring young people before the Lord through prayer. He reminded the faithful that while Don Bosco is remembered as an educator and founder, he was first and foremost a man of deep prayer who constantly entrusted his boys to Christ and to Mary Help of Christians. Schools, parishes, youth centres, and social initiatives are indispensable, he said, but the true transformation and salvation of the young ultimately come from Christ rather than from human plans or efficiency.
Reflecting on the healing of Peter’s mother-in-law, who immediately rose to serve after being healed by Jesus, the Provincial explained that every vocation is a call to generous service. The Salesian Family exists not for itself but for others. Like Don Bosco, whose entire life became a response of loving service after encountering God’s grace, every Salesian is invited to rise from personal comfort and dedicate his or her gifts wholeheartedly to the service of young people.
Drawing his homily to a close, Fr. Pampackal beautifully summarized the Salesian vocation through three movements that marked the life of Don Bosco: he heard the cry of the young, he believed in God’s plan for them, and he spent his life serving them. Around this mission grew a great family comprising the Salesians, FMA, MSMHC, VSDB, SMI, Salesian Cooperators, ADMA, Past Pupils, Disciples of Don Bosco, educators, parents, volunteers, and the young themselves—one charism lived through many vocations, united in one mission. Inviting everyone to renew their commitment during the Eucharist, he prayed that every member of the Salesian Family may be blessed with “a heart that feels, a faith that trusts, and hands that serve.”
The celebration concluded with a fellowship lunch, leaving the participants spiritually renewed and strengthened in their shared commitment to continue Don Bosco’s mission with greater zeal and unity. Inspired by the vision of Pope Leo XIV’s Magnifica Humanitas and enriched by the Provincial’s reflections, the members of the Salesian Family returned to their respective apostolates with a renewed resolve to walk together in mission, bringing hope, faith, and loving service to the young, especially those most in need.