Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
New Delhi (Fides Service) - Salesian Fathers in India are preparing to start celebrations for 100 years of service in education and professional training for young people. Celebrations will begin on 28 February in New Delhi. Present for the occasion Superior General Father Pascual Chavez. More than 90 Salesians will attend the celebrations including members of the general and provincial councils and delegates from all over south Asia. The participants will reflect on challenges for the Salesian community, including formation, community life, inculturation, inter-religious dialogue, missionary activity, service of the excluded.
Celebrations will continue for a year with various initiatives and conclude in southern Indian in Tamil Nadu in 2006. It was in fact in Tamil Nadu that the first Salesian arrived in India in 1906, and opened the first Salesian orphanage in Thanjavur.
Today there are about 2,500 Salesians working in about 400 schools, technical training schools, homes for street children, family counselling, development programmes in rural areas in India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Pakistan, Myanmar.
(PA)( Agenzia Fides 18/2/ 2005 righe 15 parole 180
