By Fr. IC Jacob & Fr. Nirmal Jamreet
Valdocco, Turin, 19 May 2020 -- Fr Joseph Pauria was installed the 17th Provincial Superior of Salesian Province of Kolkata on May 17, 2020 at the Basilica of Mary Help of Christians at Valdocco, in Turin. The installation ceremony was presided over by Fr Guillermo Basañes, the former General Councillor for the missions, in the presence of several participants of the 28th General Chapter.
“Fr Joseph Pauria becomes the first provincial whose installation takes place in this Basilica outside his province,” said Fr Basañes, in the opening words. Fr Nirmol Gomes, the former provincial along with Fr Basanes ceremonially led Fr Pauria, the then vice provincial to assume the duty of the provincial. “I feel grateful to God for his accompaniment and grace during the years of my ministry as provincial. Now I ask the Lord to be close to Fr Pauria and fill him with the grace so that he feels His presence,” said Fr Nirmol.
In an emotion-charged ambient, standing in the Pinardi Chapel of Don Bosco, the former Provincial said, “We are proud that in Fr Pauria we have a fruit of our labour in mission, as the first Santhal Provincial.” The new provincial said that he was grateful to Rector Major in Fr Ángel Fernández Artime for the appointment, Fr Nirmol Gomes for companionship, the missionaries among the Santhals, and all the Salesians in the province. “I salute the missionaries who have laboured in Salesian service and inspired me during the 55 years of my life.”
Fr Pauria further named several persons with gratitude. He remembered the missionaries in Azimganj, especially Fr Jesus Gimenez and Fr. John Topno of happy memory, Fr Nedumattathil Scaria and particularly Fr Moonnamvayalil Francis who sent him to the seminary in 1978. Beginning with the Rector Major, Fr Pauria thanked Fr. Ivo Coelho, Fr. Biju Michael and the other General Councillors and the outgoing provincial council members: Fr Vincent Mondal, the Economer and Fr Mathew George, the Provincial Secretary.
Nearly 60 Salesians including more than 14 provincials and 40 members of the recent General Chapter joined in the Vespers to pray for the new provincial of Kolkata, known as the ‘mother province’ in India. During the signing of the official document, the whole assembly broke into a choral rendition imploring God’s choicest blessings on the 17th provincial of Salesian Province of Kolkata.
Fr Ivo Coelho, the General Councillor for Formation congratulated Fr Pauria and said, “you have the great fortune of being installed in the Mother House at Valdocco, after the long retreat of two months of lockdown.” Fr Biju Michael, the General Councillor for South Asia Region said, “We look forward to great opportunities for Salesian missions and catechetics in our region under the leadership of Fr Pauria in Kolkata.” Father Maria Arokiam, the predecessor to Fr Biju Michael said, “I am happy for Fr Pauria and the province of Kolkata. He will make himself loved like Don Rua, in the way Don Bosco had advised Don Rua, when he became the Rector of Mirabello.”
reetings and good wishes poured in the mailboxes of Fr Pauria in Valodocco, from Salesians and the members of the Salesian Family. Several videos containing songs and messages of congratulations for the new Provincial were sent by the young people from the province. Fr Sunil Kerketta, the vicar to the new Provincial said in a video message, “We convey best wishes to you for next six years and expect your return with good health to the province.” The Director of Novices at Dhajea, Fr Samuel Mondal said, “We rejoice at the installation of the new provincial and pray that Mary Help of Christians and Don Bosco guide him.”
Fr Guido Errico, the Rector and the community of the Basilica of Mary Help of Christians hosted the function with alacrity, a much-needed respite in the long national lockdown. Fr Joseph Pauria’s ceremonial bonding of provincial leadership at Valdocco, the heart of Salesian mission offers much needed hopeful celebration in the face of the doleful travel restrictions due to the current global pandemic.
