ROME: 23rd February 2005 -- Fr Pascual Chávez, Rector Major, is currently moving between Salesian Centenaries.  During his brief stopover in Rome yesterday, he spoke to confreres at 'the Pisana' to explain how delighted he was to spend a week or so in Guadalajara province Mexico, his own province of origin, to celebrate 100 years of Salesian presence there, and how pleased he is to be now going to India.  In India, beginning with Kolkata province, he will celebrate 100 years of Salesian presence as well as presiding over the first of the Team Visits in this six year period.

    The Rector Major arrives in Kolkata on Thursday 24th February, but the schedule officially begins on 25th with a visit to Blessed Teresa of Calcutta's tomb.  From then on it is a busy round of meetings with confreres and Salesian Family.

    Besides Kolkata province, the Rector Major will visit Dimapur province, Guwahati province and Delhi province.  It is at New Delhi that the Team Visit for the South Asia Provincial Conference will take place, and in fact it is there, on 1st March, at Don Bosco Provincial House New Delhi that the opening ceremony of the Centenary of Salesian Presence will formally take place.  On this occasion besides the provincials and their councils from 10 Indian provinces, the Delegations of Sri Lanka and Myanmar will also be present.

    Salesian Family members in India operate from a total of 710 centres across 25 States and 4 Union Territories, with some 2,500 Priests and Brothers, 2,500 Sisters (FMA, MSMHC, SMI), 3,000 Salesian Cooperators and thousands more Past Pupils of Don Bosco and FMA past pupils.  The SDBs have been in India since 1906, serving in schools, colleges, technical institutes, literacy centres, scouts/youth clubs, counselling centres, street children projects, childline/helpline services, youth research and development, and volunteer movements in the spirit of St John Bosco.

    Following the India visit, in the first week of March the Rector Major will fly on to Hua Hin, Thailand for the second Team Visit for the East Asia-Oceania Region.