"The Golden Bells are ringing loud... Jubilee..." Thus goes the jubilee anthem of KJC. Kristu Jyoti College had a fitting conclusion of its golden jubilee celebrations on 6th November 2016. The programme started with the Holy Eucharist at 4.30 pm presided over by the Rector Major, Fr. Angel Fernandez Artime and concelebrated by around 300 priests. The liturgy was well planned and solemn, not to mention the beautiful choir of 50 students. All the 12 provincials of the South-Asian region were present for the function along with Fr. Jarek Rochowiak, major superiors of various congregations and past pupils of the college. A total of 900 people joined the KJC Community in thanking the Lord for its fifty golden years. Public function followed the Mass which was graced by the presence of Most. Rev. Bernard Moras, the Archbishop of Bangalore, who in his keynote address thanked the college for its valuable services to the Church in Bangalore as well to the Church at large. The Rector Major in his presidential address stressed on the need to focus on excellence and commitment to the poor. Fr. Ivo Coelho, the general councilor for formation, Fr. Maria Arokiam Kanaga, the regional councilor for South-Asia region Fr. Mauro Mantovani, the vice-chancellor of Salesian Pontifical University, Rome and Fr. Vattathara Thomas, provincial of Guwahati province felicitated during the occasion. All the former rectors and principals along with Br. Chacko Poovakot, who has served KJC for more than 25 years, Fr. Tom Uzhunnalil and T. J. Thomas, the contractor of the building, were honoured during the occasion. There were programmes put up by KJC, Don Bosco School Chitradurga, BOSCO Bangalore and Don Bosco Minor Seminary, Tumkur during the programme. KJC put up Choir 50, the jubilee anthem and a message programme that showcased the journey of KJC for the past 50 years. The event also witnessed the release of 6 new books by the Rector Major who handed over the copies to the provincials of South-Asia, thanks to Kristu Jyoti Publications. There was also the prize distribution of the National level Essay competition conducted on the occasion of the Golden Jubilee. Br. Jerin Palatty and Br. Gnanaprakash Dilip secured the first and the second prizes respectively while Bro. Enoch of Allahabad seminary secured the third prize. The whole programme ended with the delicious supper served at the quadrangle of the college. KJC can aptly take pride in what it was able to achieve in the past 50 years of its history. The journey was not always smooth but it has courageously moved forward and has made incredible impact in the lives of people. Cudos to the KJC Community for making this event a grand success.
