Inauguration of the Divyadaan Academic Year 2026–2027

By Cl. Croydon Fernandes SDB for BIS Mumbai

 A new chapter in the life of Divyadaan, Salesian Institute of Philosophy, Nashik, unfolded on June 13, 2026, as the institute held its inaugural function, with the theme “Come, Holy Spirit, Breathe Wisdom Divine.” The day commenced with the Eucharistic Celebration presided over by Fr Ashley Miranda, Provincial of the Salesian Province of Mumbai, with Fr Brian Bandya, Provincial of the Capuchin Bonaventure Province among the other concelebrants. In his homily, Fr Miranda reflected on wisdom as a virtue that shapes both the heart and the mind.

 The academic inaugural function that followed brought together members of the Provincial Council, faculty members, students, and invited guests. The programme began with a choral presentation by the second-year Baccalaureate students. Fr Ivo Coelho, Rector of the Institute, welcomed the gathering and acknowledged the presence of the distinguished guests. He felicitated Fr Ashley Miranda and Fr Brian Bandya, the Provincials, Fr Robert Pen, Vice-Provincial, Fr Anton D’Souza, Economer, and Fr Vilas Pegado, the new Guardian of the Capuchin Ashram. Dr Jacob Palaparambil, the Registrar, then felicitated Dr Leon Savio Rodrigues, the guest lecturer for the occasion.

One of the highlights of the programme was the release of the book “The Romantic Anthropology of Pope Francis,” based on the annual seminar of the previous year. An overview of the previous academic year was presented by Dr Jacob. His presentation revisited important academic events, seminars, and achievements that shaped the life of Divyadaan during the past year. He also introduced the new members the faculty and expressed gratitude to the outgoing members for their dedicated service to the institute.

 A significant feature of the occasion was the renewal of Divyadaan’s Aggregation to the Salesian Pontifical University in Rome. Fr Ashley, the Moderator of the Institute, released the new edition of the Institute Statutes. In his address, Fr Ashley remarked that the study of philosophy should make us humble, compassionate, and loving individuals by allowing God’s love to transform us. Fr Brian Bandya, Provincial of the OFM Capuchins, expressed his deep appreciation to the teaching faculty of Divyadaan for their dedicated service to the Capuchin brothers studying at the institute.

 Then Dr Jayaseelan Savariarpitchai, the chief librarian, introduced the speaker of the inaugural lecture, Dr Leon Savio Rodrigues. The lecture was entitled, “An Understanding of Thomas Aquinas’s Intellectus Essentiae: Arguments from Chapters of the De Ente et Essentia in the Discussions of John F. Wippel, Joseph Owens, and Giovanni Ventimiglia.” The central theme of the lecture was that in God’s esse is its essence, whereas the finite beings are composed of both esse and essence. Human beings, therefore, owe their existence to God, the source of all being. An interactive discussion followed, allowing the participants to engage with the speaker.

 The programme ended with the vote of thanks proposed by Dr Jacob. The inaugural function set the tone for the new academic year, reaffirming the institute’s commitment to academic growth and intellectual formation.