Assam Salesians pray for alumnus Chief minister

Guwahati, May 25: The Salesians in Assam prayed for their former student and Assam's new Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal stating that it is a historic moment for the state and the Salesian family.

The Salesians are a family of men and women founded by a Catholic priest, Fr. John Bosco, which in Italian is translated Don Bosco.

The Salesians here had offered prayers for their alumni on the eve of his oath taking as the 14th Chief Minister of Assam heading the BJP-AGP-BPF coalition government, a release by religious organisation 'Matters India' said today.

After the prayers, Guwahati Salesian Provincial Fr. V M Thomas said, "This is a historic moment for the state and the Salesian family when one of our own illustrious alumni is taking the reins of the state". "Don Bosco is the reason we are here," he told the members of the Salesian Family which has more than 30 constituent bodies all over the world. Fr.

Thomas also added that three Sonowal brothers had studied at Don Bosco School, Dibrugarh and that the school had waived the fees for one of the brothers and educated him free. Fr. Thomas recalled Sonowal addressing some 60 leaders of the province during their provincial chapter on February 20 last where he spoke about the moral values he had learnt at school.

"I have become what I am because of the education I received at Don Bosco," the provincial quoted him as saying in the meeting. Fr. Thomas said he has confidence that Sonowal will build "a civilisation of love, peace and justice ushering in a new era of hope and development for the aspiring youth."

Salesian Sister Grace, superior of St Mary's Guwahati, recalled that Sonowal as the MP of Dibrugarh frequently helped their Little Flower School in Dibrugarh, the release said.

The prayer meet at the Salesian Provincial House was attended by some 80 Salesian priests and brothers, sisters, alumni office bearers and Salesian cooperators.

PTI