Tuesday 30th December 2025, the Salesian Province of Africa Great Lakes -AGL joyfully marked the End of Year 2025 and Happy New Year 2026 celebrations at the Provincial House in an atmosphere of thanksgiving, communion, and family spirit. The celebration brought together confreres from the different communities of the Province, members of the Provincial Council, and Sisters Daughters of Mary Help of Christians (FMA), expressing the richness of the Salesian Family spirit.
The day began with a solemn Eucharistic Celebration, presided over by Fr. Innocent Bizimana, General Councillor for the Africa East–South Region. He concelebrated with the Provincial and his Council, alongside numerous confreres. The Eucharist was beautifully animated by the confreres from the Scholasticate of Kabgayi, whose truly angelic voices lifted hearts and minds to God, making the liturgy prayerful.
In his homily, Fr. Innocent Bizimana first conveyed warm greetings from His Holiness Pope Leon, the Rector Major Fr Fabio Attard and his Council, and Sister Chiara Cazzuola, the Mother General of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians. He then reflected on the joy of Christmas, emphasizing Christ as the Savior who comes to save humanity and as the supreme sign of God’s love poured out upon us.
He highlighted the profound meaning of gathering as a provincial community to sing the Te Deum, underlining it as a family act of gratitude—thanking God for the mission and apostolate accomplished throughout the year as sons and daughters of Don Bosco. Fr. Innocent further noted that coming together at the end of the year to welcome the New Year 2026 is a powerful sign of a family that walks, works, and prays together, faithful to its Salesian vocation.
Following this, the Provincial expressed heartfelt gratitude to God for the year that had come to an end and for the mission carried out across the Province. In a moment marked by deep emotion and solidarity, he extended sincere condolences to the entire Province, to the communities, and to the families of the confreres and sisters who passed away during the year, especially Fr. Danilo, Fr. Hugo, and Sr. Lumière. The assembly joined in prayer for their eternal rest, entrusting them to God’s mercy.
On behalf of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians, Sr. Gisèle thanked God and expressed her gratitude to our confreres for the family spirit, the shared mission, and the close collaboration that continues to bear fruit in the Salesian apostolate.
The celebration concluded with a fraternal lunch, moments of entertainment, and joyful exchanges. The atmosphere was filled with happiness, laughter, and renewed bonds of fraternity, leaving the confreres and members of the Salesian Family deeply mesmerized and encouraged as they step forward together into the New Year.
Happy new year 2026.
Richard Dickson Mugasho SDB.
