Media Release
Mangaluru, Jun 21: The feast of St Aloysius Gonzaga, patron saint of the St Aloysius Institutions, was celebrated with devotion and enthusiasm on June 20 at Loyola Auditorium. Centred on the theme ‘Creating Hope in a Changing World,’ the celebration brought together students, faculty, staff, and administrators in a meaningful expression of faith, service, and community.
The celebration commenced with a solemn procession led by the college band, accompanying the priests to the altar and creating an atmosphere of reverence and festivity. A video presentation on the life and legacy of St Aloysius Gonzaga further enriched the occasion, offering the gathering a deeper appreciation of the young saint’s commitment to God and humanity.
The Holy Eucharist was presided over by Fr Francis Xavier Lewis, vicar general of the diocese of Udupi. In his homily, Fr Francis reflected on the centrality of faith and love in Christian life, reminding the congregation that they are called to love God wholeheartedly and to express that love through service to others.
Addressing the students, he emphasised that true success extends beyond academic achievements, professional accomplishments, and material prosperity. “The true measure of success lies not in what we possess, but in the kind of persons we become,” he said, encouraging students to cultivate integrity, compassion, and a deep sense of faith.
Drawing inspiration from the life of St Aloysius Gonzaga, Fr Francis highlighted how the young saint, despite being born into privilege and destined for worldly honour, chose a life centred on God and service. His example, he noted, continues to inspire generations to make choices rooted in faith, courage, and selflessness.
Concluding his message, Fr Francis urged students to serve others with joy, generosity, and humility, reminding them that greatness is determined not by age, position, or recognition, but by the values one upholds and the choices one makes.
The Eucharistic celebration was concelebrated by Fr Brian Pereira, rector of St Aloysius Institutions; Fr Clifford Sequeira SJ, principal of St Aloysius PU College; Fr Prashanth Madtha SJ; Fr Louis D’Souza; along with Jesuit fathers, unit heads, principals, and directors of the various Aloysius institutions.
The offertory procession, led by students, symbolised gratitude, generosity, and a commitment to service. The offertory gifts collected during the celebration will be donated to Jeevandaan Ashram and St Joseph Prashanth Nivas as a gesture of solidarity with those in need. The choir’s uplifting hymns further enhanced the liturgy, creating an atmosphere of prayer, reflection, and thanksgiving.
Following the final blessing, Fr Francis Xavier Lewis, Fr Prashanth Madtha SJ, and Fr Louis D’Souza were felicitated on behalf of the Aloysius family in recognition of their dedicated service and valuable contributions. The felicitation ceremony, conducted by Fr Merwyn Fernandes, was led by Fr Brian Pereira along with the Jesuit fathers.
The programme was compered by Mureal Andrade, while Fiona Moras proposed the vote of thanks, expressing gratitude to all who contributed to the success of the celebration.
A special prayer service was also held for students and faculty members. Addressing the gathering, Fr Clifford Sequeira SJ highlighted the life of St Aloysius Gonzaga as a timeless inspiration for young people. He observed that although Aloysius was born into privilege and had a promising future ahead of him, he chose a life of service to God and humanity.
Emphasising that true greatness lies in selfless love rather than personal achievement, Fr Clifford encouraged students to cultivate compassion, generosity, and a spirit of service. Drawing from the teachings of St Ignatius of Loyola, he reminded them that life finds its deepest meaning not in what we possess but in what we give, and that genuine love is expressed through action.
As part of the feast celebrations, the campus ministry of St Aloysius PU College organised a variety of competitions that witnessed enthusiastic student participation. Events such as the 60-second viral challenge, photography competition, painting competition, treasure hunt, mind map and mystery box challenge provided opportunities for students to showcase their creativity, teamwork, and talents.
Competition posters, photographs, and the Gratitude Wall were displayed for public viewing during the celebrations and received widespread appreciation from the gathering, reflecting the creativity, talent, and active engagement of students.
The feast of St Aloysius Gonzaga was more than a celebration of a patron saint; it was an occasion for reflection, renewal, and inspiration. Strengthening the spirit of community across the Aloysius institutions, the celebration encouraged students and staff alike to embrace the values of humility, service, and hope exemplified by St Aloysius Gonzaga. As the festivities concluded, participants carried with them a renewed commitment to becoming beacons of hope and compassion in an ever-changing world.