Christians from the archdiocese of Nagpur celebrated the feast of Saint Francis de Sales, their patron, with a variety of events conducted in the city from Saturday last until Tuesday. The reason for a bigger celebration being the 400th death anniversary of this patron saint of writers and journalists.

While Saint Francis de Sales, (SFS), Cathedral parish celebrated the feast on Saturday last, the Nagpur branch of Saint John’s High School conducted a one-day track and field sports event for students of four Fransalian schools run by the Missionaries of Saint Francis de Sales, (MSFS). A dance and drama contest was also conducted on that very day for the teachers of these schools. The MSFS fathers preferred to celebrate the saint’s feast on Tuesday, the feast day proper of this ‘gentleman saint’ at the SFS Provincialate, Sadar.

In his homily at the SFS Cathedral compound, on Saturday evening, Archbishop Elias Gonsalves the main celebrant of this two-dozen priest strong concelebrated mass said, “If Saint Francis stood his ground in restoring Catholics to the church then, the spreading of the kingdom of God on Earth today is our challenge, our co-responsibility and that includes priests, religious and laity.” A dance-cum-drama presentation under colourful spotlights by the students of St. John’s High School, Nagpur, followed the mass, aesthetically depicting the virtues of the Saint.

Vicar General, Archdiocese of Nagpur, Fr Anthony D’souza, the main celebrant of the feast day, keeping his homily short and simple highlighting Saint Francis' approach said, “He was both passionate and compassionate in his attempts

to promote love of God and neighbour. This he did with conviction and clarity. He propagated, blooming where one is planted.” Among those of prominence present on the occasion include, Fr John Britto Muthuswamy, MSFS Provincial, Nagpur, besides other MSFS Superiors, which include Fr Emmanuel, Fr Sylvester, Fr Christoraj and Fr Melroy Almeida.