ANS News CHENNAI, FEBRUARY 6, 2009: The Chennai Province is in the midst of its Platinum Jubilee celebrations. On Tuesday, February 3, the Rector Major presided at a Solemn Thanksgiving Mass at the Salesian Institute of Egmore, to commemorate the 150 years of the 
Congregation and the 75th Anniversary of the Chennai Province. Present at the celebration were many Salesians, young people, staff and students from the Institute and a large number of others. “Becoming like a child,” Fr Chávez said, “means entering into the world of the lowly, of the adolescents and young people, of those who count for next to nothing in our society of power and influence. It means taking up the cause of the poor young who lack the means of education to enable them to make a success of their lives, and who find enormous difficulties in acquiring a place in the world of work that will lead to a respectable future.” In his homily, the Rector Major said that we need to build a new society, a real family, a worthy future not only for the young but for all of us, a future in which the globalized elements are education, solidarity and peace, and not just economy an
d commerce. “India is a country at the centre of world attention, but its identity cannot be the result of economic factors, nor of better living standards, but of a common effort by everyone to build a society in which all can feel at home and part of a family; this is the challenge that Don Bosco puts today to the whole of the Salesian family and to all educators,” said Fr. Chávez. During the Eucharist, the Rector Major inaugurated the 150th year of the foundation of the Salesian Congregation by lighting a specially decorated candle. Particularly touching was a beautifully choreographed dance by 75 students holding roses to thank the Lord for the 75 years of Chennai Province.
Congregation and the 75th Anniversary of the Chennai Province. Present at the celebration were many Salesians, young people, staff and students from the Institute and a large number of others. “Becoming like a child,” Fr Chávez said, “means entering into the world of the lowly, of the adolescents and young people, of those who count for next to nothing in our society of power and influence. It means taking up the cause of the poor young who lack the means of education to enable them to make a success of their lives, and who find enormous difficulties in acquiring a place in the world of work that will lead to a respectable future.” In his homily, the Rector Major said that we need to build a new society, a real family, a worthy future not only for the young but for all of us, a future in which the globalized elements are education, solidarity and peace, and not just economy an
d commerce. “India is a country at the centre of world attention, but its identity cannot be the result of economic factors, nor of better living standards, but of a common effort by everyone to build a society in which all can feel at home and part of a family; this is the challenge that Don Bosco puts today to the whole of the Salesian family and to all educators,” said Fr. Chávez. During the Eucharist, the Rector Major inaugurated the 150th year of the foundation of the Salesian Congregation by lighting a specially decorated candle. Particularly touching was a beautifully choreographed dance by 75 students holding roses to thank the Lord for the 75 years of Chennai Province.