Mawlai, 29 October 2025:
The Salesian Province of St. John Paul II, Shillong, inaugurated its annual Rectors and Leaders’ Meeting on 28 October 2025 at the Don Bosco Provincial House, Mathias Institute, Mawlai. The gathering opened with an animation session led by Rev. Fr. Biju Michael, SDB, Regional Councillor for South Asia, focusing on the spiritual and pastoral responsibilities of Rectors and community leaders in light of the Salesian Constitutions and General Regulations.
The day commenced with the Holy Eucharist, presided over by Fr. Biju and concelebrated by all Rectors and leaders from the various communities of the Province. In his homily, reflecting on the Feast of Saints Simon and Jude, Fr. Biju highlighted that, though lesser known among the apostles, their faithful witness continues to inspire the Church. Drawing a parallel, he exhorted the Rectors and leaders to recognize and accompany confreres who may seem less visible or “insignificant” within the community, affirming that every Salesian has a unique and vital contribution to the mission.
During the morning session, Fr. Biju presented the implementation framework of the Congregation’s Six-Year Plan, emphasizing its execution at the regional, provincial, and community levels. He outlined the key priority areas discerned by General Chapter 29 (GC29) and underscored the collective responsibility to translate these orientations into concrete pastoral and educative action.
Fr. Biju also shared recent updates to the Salesian Constitutions and General Regulations, particularly those concerning community leadership, governance, and formation. He reminded the participants that according to Constitution Article 55, the Rector is “the father, centre, and animator of the community,” whose role is not merely administrative but profoundly spiritual and fraternal. The General Regulation 176 further reinforces that the Rector must foster unity, guide discernment, and animate apostolic zeal among the confreres.
In the second session, Fr. Biju conducted an animation on the role, responsibility, and authority of the Rector, clarifying that the Rector’s foremost duty is the animation of the community in its religious and Salesian life rather than the administration of daily affairs. He encouraged the leaders to exercise authority in the spirit of Don Bosco—marked by pastoral charity, presence, and accompaniment—so that each community may become a “sign and bearer of God’s love for the young.”
The day’s reflections set a tone of renewal, communion, and fidelity to the Salesian charism, as the Rectors and leaders prepare to continue their mission of forming vibrant communities that live and witness to the Gospel among the young.
Reported by INS CORRESPONDENT
