Shillong, June 8: The Father and Founder of the Salesian Fathers, Sisters and Co-operators; St. John Bosco reached the Auxilium Convent, Nongthymmai in the early hours of the day. The sacred relic of the saint entered the premises of the convent in a very traditional style, amidst shouts of Khasi slogans, drum beats and songs. The crowd thronged to hail and welcome the highly venerated saint, the ‘father and educator of the young’.

Despite drizzles and showers, the relic of the great saint drew large crowd particularly students who considered him their hero. The blessings of the saint could be felt in no time as the rain stopped gradually turning into a bright day making the procedures of the programme run smoothly in festivity. The occasion was made even more colourful and rejoicing through a cultural programme performed by students of various FMA Schools and young people in formation in singing, dancing and skit as Don Bosco himself was fond of.

Fr. Anthony Kharkongor sdb, a renowned Youth Animator in his homily spoke vigorously about the life of the saint. Don Bosco left a patrimony for his sons and daughters – the Preventive System which serves as the source of history and inspiration in their educative mission. He also said that Don Bosco assured three gifts or values for the youngsters- health, wisdom and religion for a better christian and honest citizens.

Auxilium Convent, Nongthymmai, located within the city of Shillong was erected in 1958 for the benefit of the youth and rural people. Students across Northeast come here to pursue their studies. The institution also caters to vocational training programmes like tailoring, knitting, embroidering, computer courses for the school dropouts. Sr. Celine D’Cunha fma, Campus minister of Don Bosco University, Guwahati while asked about the saint said that Don Bosco is her source of inspiration in her mission among the young.