Fr. V T Jose, the Novice Master formally welcomed him to the community which was followed by the celebration of the Holy Eucharist. In his homily, Fr. Angel recalled the presence of Mary even before the Salesian; from the fact that the statue of Mary Help of Christian preceeded the first Salesian missionaries to Northeast, which till date is being kept in Sunnyside itself. Keeping the target group in focus, the Rector Major reminded the young novices and the community to have as their primary goal – union with God. For he said communion with God brings value to works. Without connection with God, one cannot do any good he further added. Rector Major appreciated the novices in these words, “You look elegant and do not be afraid” and invited them to follow Jesus who has called them. He also cautioned them if they look for comfort and power, then they are mistakenly on the wrong path.
In their words of gratitude to the Rector Major, voiced out by novice Shembhalang Lyngdoh Marshillong he said that all of them are happy to be the sons of Don Bosco. He also testified that they receive profound salesian formation from their formators, which helps them to become genuine persons, good Christians and honest citizens. The community also assured their continuous support of prayers for the mission of the Rector Major and his council members.
Since 1955, the novitiate of Sunnyside continues to be a cradle that nurtures the vocation of Salesian priests and brothers in order to continue the salesian mission started by the first missionaries who came to Northeast India way back in 1922.