Posted On: 12 June, 2025

The two-day meeting of the Rectors and Leaders of the Salesian Province of Chennai—the largest province in the Salesian world—was held at the Citadel, the Provincial House, Kilpauk, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India, on 10 and 11 of June 2025. A total of 46 Rectors and 5 leaders of Salesian communities were in attendance.

The central theme for animation, drawn from the recently concluded General Chapter 29 (GC29), was: “Passionate about Jesus Christ, dedicated to young people.” INM takes pride in being the first province in the South Asia region to disseminate the Chapter’s insights to its local leaders, who will, in turn, animate their respective communities and beneficiaries.

Fr. Don Bosco, the Provincial, delivered his inaugural address on the theme: “The Importance and Impact of the House Council and House Assembly under the Leadership of a Religious Superior.” He emphasized that superiors, as spiritual leaders representing Christ, should be guided by the promptings of the Spirit.

Fr. Stanislaus Swamikannu, former Provincial and delegate to the General Chapter, after presenting an overview and major highlights of GC29, guided the leaders through the “Conversation in the Spirit,” a synodal discernment methodology that shaped the group meetings on both days.

Fr. John Alexander, the Vice-Provincial and Chapter delegate, presented the highlights of Core Areas One and Two from the Chapter’s final document (provisional translation). These themes were further explored through group discussions and the sharing of outcomes. The day concluded with presentations from department and sector heads, who outlined their goals and proposed activities for the academic year 2025–2026, in alignment with GC29 guidelines and the provincial priorities for 2023–2029, to be incorporated into the Educative Pastoral Plan (EPP) of the communities.

The second day commenced with Lauds, followed by a concelebrated Holy Mass at 7:00 a.m. In his homily, the Provincial focused on “The Centrality of Christ: the Heart of Apostolic Life.” He called on the leaders to be Eucharistic persons and walking tabernacles of Christ’s presence. The session began with the presentation by Fr. Edwin Vasanthan, the Economer, who addressed “Financial Sustainability and Management,” emphasizing the importance of self-sustainability, disciplined budgeting, and adherence to a cost-centred expenditure method.

As a fitting conclusion, quality time was spent in the Assembly of Rectors / Leaders, a platform where the Provincial shared the concerns of the province, and the leaders engaged in an open and fruitful interaction with him.

This two-day gathering served as a moment of collective reflection, spiritual renewal, and strategic planning for the leaders of the Salesian Province of Chennai. It reaffirmed the Salesian commitment to Christ, to Don Bosco’s mission, and the integral development of the young, especially the poor and marginalized