The Salesian representatives from the various houses of the Salesian Province of Panjim gathered together to celebrate the feast of their patron, Saint Jose Vaz on January 17, 2025 at Don Bosco Provincial House, Odxel, Goa.

Welcoming the confreres to the Holy Eucharist, Provincial Father Cllive Telles together with the Provincial council members as the con-celebrants said, am indeed grateful to God for inspiring and guiding our province to live and execute the dream of our Father and founder Saint John Bosco and to Saint Jose Vaz the patron of our Province for interceding for our mission and apostolate in the various houses and regions of our Province.

Father Arvind Severes in his homily drew the attention of the confreres to the presence of Jesus in the boat, though sleeping, the focus should be the presence of Jesus rather than the imminent death by drowning. The province is the boat we are all travelling in as disciples of Jesus, out to the mission hand on to us by our Father and Teacher Saint John Bosco. We will encounter many turbulent situations, but if our focus is on the presence of Jesus on the boat, nothing can go wrong. We need to strengthen our faith by supporting each other especially in times of trials he said.


Post Mass, Father Avin Carvalho, principal of Don Bosco School, Panjim, raised the toast to the Provincial and his council members. With a hint of humour, he pointed out the immense and dedicated service of the Provincial and his council members to help the province steer clear on the right path envisioned by our Father and Founder Saint John Bosco.

Replying to the toast, Provincial, Father Clive Telles, thanked his council members for their untiring support and insightfulness in assisting him carry out his duties as the leader of the Province. In a special way he expressed his gratitude to the Vice Provincial Father Banzelao Teixeira and the Economer Father Francis Silveira. He ended by exhorting the confreres to continue with the same spirit and vigor working the young especially those who do not have a voice.



The newly ordained priests, Father Joswin D’Souza, Father Royal Fernandes, Father Savio Diaz, Father Sheldon Fernandes and Father Infancio Pires were felicitated on the occasion. Father Nigel Fernandes raised the toast, highlighting their various talents and contributions in sports, music and literature.



A citation to put on record the ground breaking work done in the sector of mechanized agriculture in Goa by Father George Quadro’s was given to his Rector in his absence on behalf of the Province by the Provincial Father Clive Telles. By his untiring work, Father Quadro’s has brought back many youth and fallow land into cultivation with a huge profit.



The evening ended with spontaneous games, singing and a sumptuous dinner.