BIS # 995 DIVYADAAN FELICITATES FR. JOAQUIM D’SOUZA

Daniel D’Souza sdb
NASHIK, JUNE 28, 2008: The newly appointed Superior of the Vice-Province of the Salesian Pontifical University (UPS), Fr. Joaquim D’Souza is presently in Divyadaan to conduct a course for the MPh students. The community grabbed this opportunity to express their pride and gladness at his appointment and also to thank him for his unwavering support to Divyadaan. The traditional Salesian ‘Family Circle’ was organized in his honour on the evening on June 26, 2008. The family circle was one of great enjoyment and entertainment; it included a band piece titled “Rex Regum’, a puppet dance and variety of songs that filled the evening. The brothers expressed their sentiments and gratitude to Fr. Joaquim through an address. Visibly moved by the love and affection of the community, Fr. Joaquim voiced his thanks for the wonderful evening. Speaking during the ‘Good Night’, he recollected the humble beginnings of Divyadaan that was launched under his guidance at Pune in 1980. He marveled at the progress Divyadaan has made in its past 27 years of existence in terms of size, quality and efficiency. He said that the inclusion of Diocesan and Fransalian students also gladdened his heart, since he had always dreamt of a Divyadaan that would be at the service of the entire Church. While pointing out the purpose of Divyadaan he exhorted the brothers to adopt a programme of life according to GC26 ‘to be good Salesians in service of the young’.