A Call to Return to the Heart of the Salesian Vocation
In his message and dialogue, the Rector Major underlined that the future of Salesian life does not depend primarily on structures, efficiency, or the number of works, but on the quality of the personal and communal encounter with Christ.
He reminded the confreres that true authority and credibility in religious life are born not from what one knows or does, but from whom one knows—Jesus Christ, encountered personally and lived authentically. From this relationship, he said, flows a Salesian presence capable of walking with young people, listening to them, and sharing their hopes and questions.
Inviting the confreres to renewed interiority, the Rector Major emphasized the importance of personal conversion, community life rooted in the Gospel, and a style of presence marked by simplicity, generosity, and closeness to the young and the poor. Only communities that live from this inner source, he noted, can become places of hope and light in today’s fragmented world.
Installation of the New Provincial
At 11.45 a.m., the solemn installation of the new Provincial took place at the Nitika Hall, presided over by the Rector Major. In the presence of the Salesians, members of the Salesian Family, and several Provincials from the South Asia Region, Fr Sunil Kerketta officially assumed his service as the 18th Provincial of the INC Province, succeeding Fr Joseph Pauria who has led the province since 2020.
In his message during the installation ceremony, the Rector Major reflected on the theme “Knowing, Living, Sharing”, presenting it as the spiritual horizon of authentic religious leadership.
He recalled that leadership in the Salesian Congregation is first of all a call to know Christ deeply, not in isolation but within the community, through shared discernment and attentive listening to the Spirit. From this knowledge, he said, flows a way of living marked by generous presence, care for persons, and a commitment to dignity, especially for the vulnerable. Such a life naturally becomes sharing—a credible witness that enlightens and strengthens the community and mission.
Addressing the new Provincial, the Rector Major encouraged him to be a man of communion, capable of fostering trust, accompanying the confreres, and safeguarding the vitality of the Salesian charism in a rapidly changing context. He reminded the assembly that communities led with authenticity and generosity become luminous signs, capable of inspiring hope and renewing commitment.
The morning concluded in an atmosphere of gratitude and fraternity, as the Province entrusted its journey to the Lord, asking for the grace to remain faithful to Don Bosco’s charism and ever closer to the young.
