A Day of Grace & Celebration for the Don Orione Family in India

On the feast of St. Louis Orione, the Our Lady of Good Health Delegation marked three momentous events — a renewal of vows, the inauguration of a renovated social centre, and the solemn opening of a historic silver jubilee year.

Bangalore, India  ·  Saturday, 16 May 2026  ·  Feast of St. Louis Orione

The sixteenth of May 2026 dawned as an extraordinary day for the Don Orione Family across India. Three significant celebrations unfolded in succession, weaving together prayer, service, and joyful community on the feast of the congregation’s founder, St. Louis Orione — turning a single calendar date into a milestone that the delegation will long remember.

I.  Renewal of Religious Vows at Morning Lauds

The day began in a spirit of quiet devotion with Morning Lauds, during which seven religious brothers studying theology formally renewed their religious vows. The solemn act was received by Fr. Maurizio Macchi, the Vicar General of the Congregation, and Fr. Fausto, Secretary General lending the moment a weight of universal significance for the Don Orione Family worldwide.

The brothers who renewed their vows:

• Br. Bala Kranthi

• Br. Jasbir Kullu

• Br. Sanjay Tete

• Br. Sumod Sahu

• Br. Rubendra Burra

• Br. Augustine Murmu

• Br. Albish Tigga

Their commitment, renewed on the founder’s feast day, drew a visible connection between the living charism of Don Orione and the generation called to carry it forward in India.

II.  Inauguration of the Don Sterpi Bhavan Social Centre

The second celebration of the day was the inauguration of the newly renovated Don Sterpi Bhavan — the Social Work Centre that houses three of the delegation’s active outreach programmes: Dhayaniketan, Thayi Project, and the Don Orione Centre. The refurbished building stands as a renewed home for communities who depend on its services daily.

The gathering brought together Don Orione Fathers and Brothers, children cared for by the Don Orione Centre, Thayi Project mothers, Dhayaniketan children, and the neighbours of the local community. The doors of the centre were opened by Fr. Maurizio Macchi, and the building was blessed by Fr. Arul Dhas Andrews, the Delegate Superior — a gesture symbolising both hospitality and consecrated purpose.

“The renovated centre is more than bricks and mortar — it is a living testament to Don Orione’s preferential love for those most in need.”

— OUR LADY OF GOOD HEALTH DELEGATION, INDIA

III.  Feast Day Mass, Ordinations & the Opening of the Silver Jubilee Year

The crowning event of the day was the solemn Feast Day Holy Eucharist, presided over by His Grace Archbishop Peter Machado of Bangalore. Approximately 300 faithful gathered — Don Orione Fathers, religious sisters, families of the ordinands, friends, and benefactors — filling the space with both reverence and festivity.

Ministry of Diaconate Ordination — Two brothers were ordained as Deacons:

• Br. Ranga Malik

• Br. Monaj Baliasing

Their ordination as Deacons marked a defining step in their vocational journey and was received with great joy by the entire community. During the same Eucharist, four members of the Orione Lay Movement (OLM) made their formal Adherence to the Orionine Lay Movement family, broadening the circle of those who live the charism of Don Orione in the world.

HISTORIC MILESTONE

The Official Opening of the 25th Jubilee Year of Don Orione’s Presence in India — marked by the unveiling of the official Silver Jubilee Year Logo.

The most anticipated moment of the celebration was the official opening of the 25th Jubilee Year commemorating Don Orione’s presence in India. The official logo of the Silver Jubilee Year was unveiled in a ceremony led jointly by Fr. Maurizio Macchi, Delegation Superior Fr. Arul Dhas Andrews and his council, and the two newly ordained Deacons — a gesture underscoring that the past twenty-five years are celebrated not only with gratitude, but with a forward-looking commitment.

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The festive day concluded with a vibrant cultural programme performed by the young seminarians of the delegation — a reminder that the future of the Don Orione Family in India is alive, creative, and full of promise. The celebration carried within it three gifts offered together on the founder’s feast day: the gift of consecration, the gift of service, and the gift of a milestone anniversary — all bound by the one spirit that Don Orione bequeathed to his sons and daughters: charity carried to its extreme.

Our Lady of Good Health Delegation  ·  India  ·  Congregation of the Sons of Divine Providence

Published 16 May 2026  ·  Feast of St. Louis Orione