As Don Bosco Chhotaudepur commemorates its Golden Jubilee, we join in thanksgiving to Almighty God for fifty years of committed Salesian presence and service among the people of Chhotaudepur, especially the Rathwa tribal community. This significant milestone invites us to reflect with gratitude on a journey marked by faith, perseverance, and dedication to the young and the poor in the spirit of St. John Bosco.

What began as a modest outreach has, through God’s grace and the generous commitment of the Salesians and their collaborators, grown into a well-established centre of education, social development, and value-based formation, contributing meaningfully to the life of the local Church and society.

Origins of the Mission and Salesian Presence

The Church’s pastoral and social involvement in Chhotaudepur dates back to 1974, when a diocesan priest, together with the JMJ Sisters, initiated a medical mission in Kavra village. This pastoral outreach soon developed into a more permanent presence with the establishment of the Catholic Church and Lok Seva Kendra Trust Societies in 1975.

The initial initiatives included small boarding facilities for boys and girls, reflecting the Church’s preferential concern for the marginalized and the young. In 1979, Fr Byron D’Souza Sdb was entrusted with studying the feasibility of a Salesian presence in the region. This discernment bore fruit in 1981, when the mission was officially entrusted to the Salesians of Don Bosco. The canonical erection of the Salesian house followed in 1982, with Fr Byron D’Souza appointed as the first Rector and Parish Priest.

From its inception, the mission was guided by a clear pastoral vision: to proclaim the Kingdom of God through integral education and human development.

Educational Apostolate: A Cornerstone of the Mission

Education has remained the central apostolate of Don Bosco Chhotaudepur. Over the years, the Salesians established and developed a wide range of educational and formative works, including:

• Boarding facilities serving students from over 50 villages

• A non-formal technical institute offering vocational training

• A co-educational secondary school

• Hostel facilities for college-going students

• Oratory and youth outreach programs in neighbouring villages

• And recently opened English Medium School

These initiatives have enabled access to quality education for thousands of young people who would otherwise have remained deprived of such opportunities. Today, the institution continues to experience growing demand for admission, a clear sign of the trust placed by the local community in Salesian pedagogy.

In keeping with Don Bosco’s preventive system, emphasis is placed on the integral formation of the young, combining academic excellence, character formation, sports, extracurricular activities, and personal accompaniment. Recent initiatives in career guidance, counselling, and job placement further strengthen the mission’s response to the evolving needs of tribal youth.

 Social Development and Rural Outreach

In fidelity to the Church’s social mission, Don Bosco Chhotaudepur has made substantial contributions to rural development and socio-economic empowerment. Through Lok Seva Kendra and various development projects, the mission has addressed critical needs in housing, water resources, agriculture, and primary education.

Notable interventions include drought relief programs, seed banks, construction of houses, wells, dams, and lakes, as well as pump cooperatives to facilitate multiple cropping. Village education projects and medical services have further strengthened the mission’s holistic approach to human development.

These efforts reflect the Salesian commitment to promoting human dignity and enabling communities to become agents of their own development.

Cultural Respect and Community Integration

A distinctive feature of the mission has been its respectful engagement with the cultural heritage of the Rathwa tribal community. The Salesians have consistently sought to affirm and preserve local traditions and cultural expressions through community gatherings, devotional practices, and cultural programs.

This approach has fostered mutual respect, strengthened community bonds, and contributed to a deeper sense of identity and dignity among the local population.

Evangelization, Catechesis, and Witness of Gospel Values

While the numerical growth of the Christian community has remained limited, the mission has continued to bear witness to the Gospel primarily through presence, service, and the promotion of Christian values. The Salesians acknowledge with pastoral realism the challenges in fostering deeper faith practice among the Catholic faithful.

Nevertheless, catechesis, sacramental life, altar server formation, and regular pastoral outreach continue to be integral to the parish ministry. More significantly, the Gospel values of love, justice, service, and solidarity have permeated the wider community through the educational and social apostolate, leaving a lasting spiritual and moral impact.

Salesian Community and Vocation Promotion

Over the past five decades, confreres from various parts of the Mumbai Province have generously dedicated themselves to the mission of Chhotaudepur. Their collaborative spirit, perseverance, and pastoral zeal have been instrumental in sustaining and expanding the mission.

Vocation promotion, faith formation, and the introduction of young people to the life and charism of St. John Bosco remain ongoing priorities, as the community continues to plant seeds for future vocations and leadership within the Church.

 A Jubilee of Gratitude and Hope

As Don Bosco Chhotaudepur celebrates this Golden Jubilee, the entire Salesian Family, and the local faithful are invited to give thanks to God for the abundant fruits of this mission. From humble beginnings, the mission has grown into a significant centre of evangelization, education, and social transformation. The Jubilee celebration will be held on 31 January 2026 the solemn Eucharist will be celebrated at 10:30 AM by Most reverend Sebastião Mascarenhas,SFX Bishop of Baroda Diocese.

With deep gratitude to God, to the Salesian Congregation, to benefactors, collaborators, educators, and the tribal communities who have journeyed together, we look to the future with renewed hope and commitment.

May the intercession of St. John Bosco continue to guide this mission, so that Don Bosco Chhotaudepur may faithfully serve the young and the poor, and remain a living sign of God’s love in this region for many years to come.