NASHIK, JUNE 14, 2008: On June 11, the community jubilated at the inauguration of the new academic year 2008. His Grace, Rt. Rev. Archbishop Felix Machado celebrated the Eucharistic, invoking the gift of the Holy Spirit on the assembled congregation. In his homily, the Archbishop dwelt on ‘The Holy Cross of Christ as the Wisdom of God’ which by its redeeming action transforms us radically. In the inaugural lecture, the Archbishop stated that as ‘Consecrated Religious in a developing India’, we must consider the growth of a bright and beautiful India our sacred duty. He further called the gathering to be rooted in faith and yet be thinkers in a fast-growing society. He invited the congregation to take ‘Faith’ as the keystone in their Philosophical endeavour. Yet he did not exempt the role of ‘Reason’ from research. Drawing from his profound knowledge of the Bhagāvat Gītā, the Archbishop declared that one cannot remain ‘actionless’ and must hence do the things that he/she is meant to do. Thus he implored the gathering to act, i.e. to do one’s duty in the spirit of true motivation. He expressed that one’s goal in life must be the achievement of innocence crowned with wisdom and for this one must endure the struggles, pains and tribulations that come one’s way. In the second part of his lecture the Archbishop emphasized that the Church is both local as well as Universal at the same time. We must come out of our squeamish ghetto mentality and burst forth into the manifold activities of the Church. The previous day, June 10, the Community of Divyadaan implored the blessings of the Lord on Fr. Savio D’Souza as he was officially installed as the 
Rector of the Philosophate, Divyadaan by the Provincial of the Mumbai Province, Fr. Michael Fernandes. The Salesian Confreres around the campus gathered in one accord and asked the Lord to send on him the Light of the Holy Spirit so that he may render incarnate amongst the community the presence and fatherliness of Don Bosco and thus guide the young confreres in seeking and fulfilling His Holy Will. While presiding at the Eucharistic, the Provincial stressed the fact that the Superior is a gift of God; he represents Jesus Christ and is the centre of the community. He is responsible for the religious life, the apostolic mission and administrative goods of the community in front of God and the local ecclesiastical authorities. The Superior animates the community and tries to bring out the best in his confreres and this responsibility he shares with his Local House Council.
Leon Rodrigues sdb