by Cleric Leroy Mascarenhas with Cleric Samson Rebeiro for BISMumbai

The inauguration of the new academic year at Divyadaan: Salesian Institute of Philosophy-Nashik, was held on 07 July 2021.

MumbaiSalesians' Provincial Father Savio Silveira presided at the solemn Eucharist, with the theme: 'Holy Spirit help us to grow in wisdom and love.’ Handel's ‘Halleluiah’, was followed by the annual report showcased in a video format, highlighting the various events especially the Ruby Jubilee of Divyadaan. Thereafter, Father Silveira released the handbook for the year 2021-22, emphasising the need for academics and its future implications. Father [Dr.] Vinod Mascarenhas delivered the inaugural lecture, based on his doctoral thesis, on the educative method of Paulo Freire.

Father Silveira also released the ‘Formation Towards Psychosexual & Celibate Integration – Manual for Formees’ Vol. 05, edited by Father Glenford Lowe, which has contributions from few of the Divyadaan academic staff. Introducing the book, Father Banzelao Teixeira-Rector Divyadaan, said, "the major problems that the young people of today face are sexual indulgences and the widespread misuse of the various means of social media. It is hence, imperative that a 'religious' today, must have a strong foundation in human formation." Father Teixeira also gave a brief background of how these set of 05 manuals were conceptualized. This Vol. 05 encourages the practical trainee to embark on a journey of becoming more and more psycho-spiritually mature and psycho- sexually integrated.

Divyadaan is off to a successful start and with the blessings of the Spirit of wisdom, the staff and the students look forward to an exciting year ahead.