Xavier Board Launches 25th Triennial Conference with Call to Transform Education
NV Paulose, Chairman, Global TV +91 98441 82044
Xavier Board Inaugurates XXV Triennial Conference 2025 in an atmosphere charged with anticipation and divine grace at St. Aloysius (Deemed to be University) in Mangaluru. The ceremony, held on the evening of Saturday, October 18th, was more than a formal beginning; it was a powerful reaffirmation of mission, community, and faith in the face of modern challenges.
The lamp-lighting ritual, a symbol of the dispelling of ignorance, beautifully set the stage for an evening where the light of wisdom and the warmth of shared purpose were palpable. The event was graced by a distinguished gathering of leaders, including Shri. Armstrong Pame, IAS, Joint Secretary of the Department of Higher Education, and Dr. M C Sudhakar, Hon’ble Minister for Higher Education, Government of Karnataka. The presidential presence of Prof Fr L Joji Reddy SJ and the spiritual blessings of Most Rt Rev Dr Elias Gonsalves, Archbishop of Nagpur, underscored the deep connection between educational excellence and spiritual foundation.
A Shepherd’s Charge: Archbishop Gonsalves Sets the Soulful Tone
While the schedule outlined addresses from chief guests and the release of the Xavier Board Souvenir, the heart of the evening was a deeply inspirational homily delivered by Most Rt Rev Dr Elias Gonsalves, the main celebrant of the inaugural Eucharist. Weaving a narrative from the challenges of Saint Paul to the sending out of the seventy-two disciples, His Grace delivered a poignant message that felt both ancient and urgently contemporary, directly speaking to the soul of every Catholic educator.
The core of his message was a comforting yet powerful reminder: “You are not alone.” In a world where educational institutions face immense pressures; from financial constraints and secularism to moral relativism and external activism, the Archbishop assured the audience that God’s presence is a constant source of strength.
“He is with us in our offices, in our classrooms, in our campuses and in our communities,” he echoed, transforming the hall from a mere venue into a sacred space of shared vocation.
This presence, he emphasized, redefines the very essence of Catholic education. It is “not mainly about imparting information, but about transforming lives. It is about forming consciences, building character and nurturing the spirit of service rooted in faith.”
Answering the Call in a Fractured World
Archbishop Gonsalves did not shy away from the stark realities of our time; a world told of terrorism, hatred, and communalism, where students and parents alike are searching for meaning and belonging. In the midst of this, he challenged every educator to see their institution as a house of peace, truth, and dialogue.
“Every lecture that you keep, research paper you present, or a community project becomes an opportunity to announce… that the kingdom of God is near.”
His call was for courage, not complacency. Drawing from the biblical image of being sent out “like lambs among wolves,” he reminded the audience that their mission is not one of comfort, but of purposeful engagement with a challenging world, armed with the power of peace and the recognition that God’s kingdom is at hand.
A Mission Rekindled
As the conference begins its deliberations, the inaugural ceremony, anchored by Archbishop Gonsalves’ stirring homily, has successfully set a powerful tone. It served as a spiritual rallying cry, urging all present to become brilliant minds and compassionate hearts; successful individuals and “saints in the making and good citizens.”
His final blessing encapsulated the collective hope: “May the Lord who stood by all… also stand beside each one of us, strengthening us for the noble mission of education.”
The XXV Triennial Conference has thus begun beyond an academic gathering, towards as a journey of faith; a collective step forward to ensure that through the dedicated labourers in the field of education, the message of love, justice, and truth may be fully proclaimed, and the Kingdom of God may draw near.
