Kristu Jyoti College

June 7, 2022, Bangalore: The inauguration of the academic year 2022-23 of Kristu Jyoti College took place on 7 June 2022. The day started with the solemn Holy Eucharist of the Holy Spirit celebrated by Rev Fr Jose Koyickal SDB, the provincial of the Sacred Heart Province Bangalore. "The Holy Spirit gives us wisdom to study and reflect on various theologies and to act according to those truths for the benefit of the people on the peripheries" he said in thehomily. The academic session commenced at 10:30 am with a prayer dance performed by SrAlphonsa and Co. Soon after that all the dignitaries lighted the lamp and inaugurated the programme.

The Chief Guest for the inauguration ceremony was Justice John Michael D'Cunha (Former Judge, High Court of Karnataka). Rev. Fr Jose Koyickal, (The Provincial of Bangalore Province and the President of the College), Rev. Fr Bosco Punthokkan, (The Rector of Kristu Jyoti College), Rev. Fr Alex SDB, (The Director of Visvadeep Community), Rev. Fr Shabu Joseph Thottumkal SDB, (The Principal), Rev. Fr A. MahimaiDass SDB, (The Registrar) were the guests of honour. Rev. Fr Shabu, the principal invited all the guests and presented the report of the college. Rev. Fr Jose Koyickal in his presidential speech congratulated all the staff for their dedicated service to the college which makes the institution achieve greater heights of knowledge and learning. He also invoked God's blessings on the college and encouraged the students to commit themselves to study and learning.

"Our love for God and our personal relationship with God makes us to study our theology diligently and to dedicate our time and effort to learning" declared Fr Bosco in his message. Rev. Fr Alex said that the theological studies have to be done with an intention to serve the Church and the faithful better. Rev. Fr SivyKoroth, the director of Kristu Jyoti Publications, headed the releasing of four books from the publications office. Rev. Fr MahimaiDass introducing the key note speaker, Justice John Michael D'Cunha lauded his unflinching dedication and unprecedented sincerity in sentencing the corrupt powerful people. He said that Justice John D'Cunha was a paragon of justice. In his keynote address, Justice John Michael D'Cunha deconstructed the anti-conversion ordinance in detail and with vivid precision. "The governments and courts are interpreting the law with the welfare of the majority in mind and that is great concern these days" he opined. When the minority is neglected and the secularism is ridiculed we are in for a great disaster. The fabric of our constitution is secular and democratic. He exhorted the gathering to be upbeat with the knowledge of the world and fight for democratic values and institutions to thwart undemocratic ideologies. Arch-Deacon Gabriel Charles proposed the vote of thanks to all the dignitaries and all those instrumental in making the inaugural ceremony a fruitful one. The academic session came to a close with a hymn to Don Bosco.

Report by
Br. Kadiam Prasanna Kumar SDB
II BTh