Archbishop of Shillong ArchDiocese, Victor Lyngdoh today inaugurated the centenary celebration of the arrival of missionaries of Salesian of Don Bosco in Shillong.
It was on January 12, 1922 that Salesian of Don Bosco began its mission in the North East at Guwahati.
On January 13, 1922 the missionaries arrived in Shillong and were led by Father Louis Mathias who later became the first Bishop of Shillong in 1934.
The celebration was held at Don Bosco Technical School, Laitumkhrah. It began with the unfurling of the flag at the memorial of Don Bosco and was followed by singing of hymns and procession towards the Laitumkhrah Cathedral.
A mass was also conducted by Archbishop Victor Lyngdoh in the presence of Provincial of Shillong Arch Diocese Father Paul O. Lyngkot, Vice Provincial Father John Zosiama, Vicar General Father Richard Majaw and Parish Priest of Laitumkhrah Cathedral Father Pascal Lyngdoh besides other priests and Salesian brothers.
Delivering his message, Archbishop Lyngdoh said the arrival of the Salesian mission in Shillong has been a blessing for the Catholic Church in spreading the Gospel, literature and education.
Member of the Salesian mission, Father A L Jose who is also the coordinator of the centenary celebration gave a brief history on the work of the Salesian of Don Bosco from the beginning till today.
He also informed that eleven Salesian missionaries from Italy, France, Spain and San Marino under the leadership of Father Louis Mathias landed in Shillong on January 13, 1922.
The inaugural day of the celebration was also aired live on television and YouTube by Don Bosco Media Network.
