Cradle of Early Arunachal Missions receives Don Bosco By Fr. Tarcisius ToppoDimapur, May. 20. St. Xavier's School, Harmutty, a name synonymous with Christianity in Arunachal Pradesh, an institution which has prepared hundreds of young early missionaries and evangelizers for Arunachal Pradesh, especially for the West, in the years when Christianity was forbidden in the state, received Don Bosco on May 18, 2011. The motorcade, comprising fifty parish and school youth shouting slogans from Laluk, about 5kms from the centre, was a stupendous scene to behold on the breezy evening of May 18.
The community which included the students, parishioners, well-wishers and friends from other nearby parishes together with the curious spectators of all types and religions was a moment of unity and harmony in the name of Don Bosco.
A small programme with few cultural items and the paying of homage was done and then later the casket was taken to the Church for the catholic community to venerate. The veneration began with the Holy Eucharist, presided over by Fr. Albert Tirkey, Parish Priest, and then the night vigil with more than two thousand parishioners keeping awake with the relic of don Bosco.
Earlier in the afternoon, the casket also visited St. Mary's School, Lakhimpur, a school started by the Salesians but later handed over to the diocese and now run by the Missionary Sisters of Mary Help of Christians. The welcome ceremony by the more than two thousand students of the school together with the was indeed solemn and colourful. The occasion was graced by the presence of Mr. Anuwarsuddin Chowdhury, District Commissioner of North Lakhimpur.
After the homage ceremony, the casket was taken to the Parish Church where a solemn Eucharist was celebrated together with around two thousand faithful from the host parish as well as nearby parishes like Dholahat, Gogamukh. Fr. Milchius Ekka, from Gogamukh presided over the Eucharistic celebration in which six other priests joined. Fr. Milchius gave testimony to the blessing he received in his life through the intercession of Don Bosco. The name of Don Bosco worked and continues to work wonders in the life of the people of the North East, he pointed out. His contribution to education in the North East is commendable, he said, citing the variety of educational institutions, and various levels of educational institutions. In the absence of the Parish Priest, Fr. Rajen Tirkey, Assistant Priest, thanked everyone for their contribution for the success of the visit of the casket.