His Eminence Filipe Neri Cardinal Ferrao Inaugurates Diamond Jubilee Celebrations at St. Xavier’s College, Mapusa
St. Xavier’s College witnessed a triple celebration on 8th October 2022 as His Eminence Filipe Neri Cardinal Ferrao ushered in the Diamond Jubilee Celebrations; the Academic Year 2022-23 was formally inaugurated and the Patron of the College was felicitated on his elevation to Cardinal.
On the occasion, His Eminence unveiled the commemorative logo of the 60 years celebrations of St. Xavier’s College. Explicating on the theme for the celebration of the Diamond Jubilee Year, ‘Together on a Mission, Working Hand-in-Hand for Transformation’, His Eminence emphasized that the mission of St. Xavier’s College is to go beyond imparting information and knowledge, to bring about a transformation in life.
In the formal programme, His Eminence recalled the sacrifices made and challenges faced by the pioneers of the institution. He invoked the blessings of the Patron St. Francis Xavier on the 400th anniversary of the canonization. He prayed that all the stakeholders of St. Xavier’s College work in the spirit of collaboration as channels of peace and instruments of transformation. He appreciated the efforts of the present management and staff and extended wishes for a “Fruitful, Enriching and Grace-filled” new Academic as well as Diamond Jubilee Year. The Cardinal exhorted the students to be lifelong learners. He reiterated the need “To Know, To Do, To Be and To Live” in a spirit of mutual respect in tune with India’s rich cultural diversity. His Eminence was felicitated with a traditional shawl and honoured with a memento presented respectively by Fr. Antonio Salema, the Administrator and Prof. Dr. Blanche Mascarenhas, the Principal of the College.
Earlier, Fr. Antonio Salema, Administrator of St. Xavier’s College, formally welcomed the gathering. He conveyed the joy of the Management and Staff of St. Xavier’s College at the presence of His Eminence Filipe Neri Cardinal Ferrao. He recalled with gratitude and commended the efforts of all the stakeholders who contributed in bringing the vision of the College to fruition.
In her address, the Principal of the College, Prof. Dr. Blanche Mascarenhas rendered gratitude to the Almighty for the inauguration of the New Academic Year 2022-2023 and the Commemoration of the 60thAnniversary of the existence of St. Xavier’s College serving in the field of higher education.
On behalf of the Xaverian Family, she also congratulated His Eminence Filipe Neri Antonio Sebastiao do Rosario Ferrao on being elevated as Cardinal by His Holiness Pope Francis on 27th August 2022 with the title of the Church of Santa Maria in Via. She expressed her joy on the elevation of His Eminence and hoped that our Patron Saint, St. Francis Xavier intercede on his behalf and God bless him with good health, gifts of the Holy Spirit and necessary zeal, dedication, graces and virtues to shepherd the Diocese of Goa in collaboration with the Roman Pontiff in the service of the Universal Church.
Further, Prof. Blanche expressed her gratefulness to our Patron for his continuous guidance, inspiration, motivation and support that makes St. Xavier’s march forward in our journey towards obtaining excellence and in serving the society in imparting higher education in the State of Goa. She whole-heartedly thanked His Eminence, for inaugurating the Gymkhana, 60th Anniversary commemoration and this Academic Year 2022-2023, with a solemn Eucharistic Celebration.
The Principal also shared some highlights which included the enrolment of students for undergraduate as well as post graduate programmes, signing of MoUs with the intention of serving the society at large and in particular, creating opportunities for students like imparting skills through internships as well as increasing employability. She recalled with gratitude the former Principals of the College and thanked all the stakeholders of the College including the staff and students, PTA, Alumni, University and DHE.
On the occasion of the Diamond Jubilee Celebration, His Eminence inaugurated the College Gymkhana. Three College publications were released at the hands of His Eminence, namely, the annual magazine ‘The Halcyon’, the college newsletter ‘Xavierwrite’ and the Inter-disciplinary Research E-Journal ‘Spectrum’. The formal programme was followed by a cultural programme consisting of an invocation dance, audio-visual display of 60 years journey of the college, performance poetry and a choral piece which enthralled those present.
Dignitaries that graced the occasion included Episcopal Vicar Fr. Dennis Fernandes, Asst. to the Secretary-DSE Fr. Mariano Dias, Fr. Herculano Correia, Ex-Administrator of the Assets of St. Xavier’s College, Mapusa, Principal and Vice Principals of St. Xavier’s Higher Secondary School. The programme was co-ordinated by Vice Principals Ms. Ursula Barreto and Ms. Sandra Fernandes. Dr. Marielou Ferrao was the Co-coordinator of the event.