South Asia – A Harvest of Grace: Signs of Hope in the Region

The number of novices in the Region rose from 97 in 2024 to 117 in 2025, reaching 119 in May 2026 in the eleven provinces of India, with an additional 4 novices in the novitiate in Sri Lanka. These numbers are not merely statistics; they represent young hearts responding courageously to God’s invitation to dedicate their lives to the service of the young, especially the poor and the most vulnerable.

2026 also brings the joy of 101 First Professions and 56 Perpetual Professions across the provinces of India. Professions in Sri Lanka are held in August. Each profession is a testimony to the faithfulness of God, who continues to accompany and sustain those whom He calls. It is also a witness to the vitality of the Salesian mission that continues to inspire young people to embrace the Gospel with generosity and enthusiasm.

“Behind every vocation stands a family that has nurtured faith, values, and openness to God’s will. We express our heartfelt gratitude to the parents and families who, with remarkable generosity, offer their sons to the Church and to the Salesian mission. Their sacrifice and support make possible this beautiful flowering of vocations in our Region,” says Fr Biju Michael, the Regional Councillor for South Asia. “Gratitude is due”, he adds, “to all the novice directors and the confreres of all provinces who nurture the call of God in the young men and for the witness of Salesian mission in all the 425 houses that continue to nurture the call to Salesian life.”

As we celebrate these encouraging signs, we recognize that every vocation is a gift from God and a blessing for the Church. May the Lord continue to bless the South Asia Region with many holy and committed Salesian vocations, and may our families, communities, and educational institutions remain fertile ground where God’s call is heard, welcomed, and joyfully embraced.