Divyadaan News & Events
Community Day Celebration at Divyadaan
The Divyadaan Institute organized the Community Day on 19 February 2025. The community began with the triduum from February 16 to 18, focusing on different themes. The title for the community day was ‘Bearers of Hope’ taken from the Strenna 2025.
The event commenced with a morning prayer led by the MPh brothers, where each group shared the positive qualities of their peers, adding a special touch to the celebration. Following breakfast, participants engaged in group games that fostered a sense of togetherness. In the evening, attendees gathered in the chapel for personal prayer, culminating in a solemn Eucharistic Celebration
The Salesians of Divyadaan, Nashik conducted the Oratory Day on February 2, 2025 at Divyadaan. Conducting Oratory for the poor and abandoned children is the traditional practice of the Salesians started by Don Bosco himself. This is one of the significant ways that the Salesians reach out to the children who need care, help and guidance. There are various places in Nashik city, where the Divyadaan brothers conduct oratories every Sunday. This prepares them for their future ministry and allows them to cater to poor children in various ways.
Republic Day Celebrations
On the 26th of January, Divyadaan Nashik celebrated Republic Day with a special event organized by the first-year students of Philosophy. The celebration took place on the campus of Divyadaan, bringing together students and faculty in a moment of national pride.
The event began with a flag hoisting ceremony led by Sir Vamanay, the Marathi language teacher. Following the flag hoisting, Cl. Aldon the first year student of philosophy delivered an inspiring speech that highlighted the significance of Republic Day and the values enshrined in the Indian Constitution.
A Symposium on Philosophizing Hope at Divyadaan
On January 18, 2025, the Divyadaan Institute of Philosophy in Nashik hosted a philosophical symposium titled ‘Philosophizing Hope: A Confluence of Faith and Reason’. This event, organized by the MPh and Pre-MPh brothers, aimed to explore the transformative potential of hope, both on an individual and societal level, by integrating the realms of faith and reason. The symposium began at 2.00 pm with a hymn invoking the Holy Spirit, followed by insightful talks that offered various perspectives on the concept of hope. The primary objective was to reflect on how hope, when philosophized and understood deeply, can be a force for positive change in our lives and communities. Three distinguished speakers were invited to share their expertise on the topic, enriching the understanding of hope through their unique lenses - faith, philosophy, and the synthesis of both.
Bishop of Aurangabad Visits Divyadaan
On January 14th, 2025, Rt. Rev. Bishop Lancy Pinto, the Bishop of Aurangabad, visited Divyadaan Salesian Institute of Philosophy. The students warmly welcomed him with a short program, after which the Bishop extended his blessings, wishing all the students God's grace in their formation and studies.
A Philosophical Symposium At Divyadaan
On January 11, 2025, Divyadaan hosted a thought-provoking philosophical symposium organized by the second-year students, centered on the theme, “The Eclipse of God: A Philosophical Response.” The event commenced at 2:00 PM with an opening prayer, followed by an introduction from Br Stefan Paul, the Moderator. The symposium featured four insightful presentations by esteemed speakers: Br Alroid Pinto OFM Cap, Br Jashbir Sanga SDB, Br Seymour Afonso SDB, and Br Jeremias Cardozo OFM Cap. Each speaker offered a unique perspective on the theme, with a particular focus on atheism.
The Annual Play at Divyadaan Nashik
The Community of Divyadaan staged an English Play entitled, ‘A Christmas Carol’ by Charles Dickens, on November 30 and December 1 at Divyadaan, Nashik.
The annual play is an integral part of the extracurricular activity of the Divyadaan community. It provides the students in priestly formation, the opportunity to discover and develop their talents, skills and abilities. It is also an opportunity for the community to reach out to its neighbours and instill in them the gospel values in a creative way.
Oratory Football Tournament at Divyadaan
On November 10, the Divyadaan community organized a football tournament for the Oratory Children. The tournament began at 11: 00 am at the Divyadaan ground. A short prayer service was conducted by Br Stephen Haruk and Br Shaun, after which Fr Ian Pinto, the Administrator of Divyadaan gave an opening speech to all of the teams. He also declared open the Divyadaan Football Tournament 2024. In his speech, he said that the sport was not about winning or losing, but rather it was about playing with dignity and with real sportsmanship.
Annual Spiritual Retreat at Divyadaan
From October 24 to October 30, the community of Divyadaan had their Annual Spiritual Retreat preached by Fr Joseph Rodrigues Sdb (INP).
The Annual Spiritual Retreat is pivotal in the formation of the young clerics of Divyadaan and helps them to reignite the flame of their Salesian vocation and get more intimate in their relationship with the Lord.
The preacher, Fr. Joseph Rodrigues, is well known for his charismatic preaching, both for lay and clergy groups. He is a well-sought-after preacher bestowed with various gifts of the Holy Spirit. The preacher introduced the brothers to various methods and techniques of prayers to grow in their spiritual life. He shared real life examples and his own personal testimony which inspired the brothers.
The Dream that Makes You Dream: Annual Seminar at Divyadaan 2024
Divyadaan: Salesian Institute of Philosophy, Nashik hosted its Annual Seminar on the 12th and 13th September 2024 on the theme “Interdisciplinary Perspectives on Don Bosco’s Dream at Nine” to celebrate the bicentenary of Don Bosco’s dream.
The seminar consisted principally of ten eminent speakers offering different perspectives on the dream of Don Bosco, thus providing an insightful and broader understanding of the dream and its implications. The seminar was attended by Salesian Fathers, Brothers, Sisters and novices along with Salesian family members such as ADMA, co-operators, SYM leaders and teachers.
At Divyadaan in Nashik, the day began with a unique celebration of Independence Day with a message from Fr Robert, the Rector, on the importance of 'letting go' and 'letting God' take control. The flag hoisting ceremony was attended by the neighboring Capuchin Friars community, with Fr Thomas Santiagu, Provincial of the Hyderabad Province, as the Chief Guest. He emphasized the Salesians' role in shaping responsible youth for the nation.
Fr Ivo Coelho SDB, the General Councilor in charge of formation visited the community of Divyadaan, Nashik on August 13, 2024.
It was a friendly visit where he got the opportunity to meet the staff and the brothers of the community to interact with them and also to share with them the happenings of the Salesian world.
He addressed the community at 6:30 in the evening. Fr Jacob took this occasion to present his new book to Fr Ivo, named ‘Person in Sankara Vedanta’. Fr Ivo appreciated his hard work encouraging and wishing him good luck for more contribution to the congregation.
On August 11, 2024, the community of Divyadaan under the leadership of the Marian group organized a Marian Nite. The sole purpose of this event was to honour our Blessed Mother and express our love and affection for her motherly interventions. Most of the community members were present for the event. However, a few brothers and fathers were sick and absent from the community and thus were not able to participate in the programme.
The Marian Nite commenced at 8:30 pm, with a solemn entry of the different Marian Groups to the hall where the event was held. It was followed by an opening prayer led by the Masters of Ceremony.
The Community of Divyadaan inaugurated their Marian Month, a month in honour of our Blessed Mother on July 16 on the auspicious day of the feast of our Lady of Mount Carmel.
It was a grace filled evening where the community gathered together under the mantle of our Lady to express their shared and individual love and devotion for Her. The evening began with a short prayer and the proceedings followed. A special anthem had been composed by the brothers for the occasion only to bring to the fore their deep love and affection for Her.
The new academic year 2024-2025 was inaugurated in a solemn manner in Nashik on the 14th of June, 2024 at Divyadaan: Salesian Institute of Philosophy, Nashik.
The inaugural mass was celebrated by the Bishop of Nashik, his Lordship Bishop Barthol Barretto and was con-celebrated by the Provincial of the Salesian Province of Bombay, Fr. Savio Silveira and the Vice-Provincial of the Salesian Province of Bombay, Fr Ashley Miranda and the other religious priests from the neighbouring communities joined for the Eucharistic celebration.