Don Bosco, Mirik (Darjeeling) organized a grand jubilee celebration for Rev. Fr. Luigi Jellici to comemorate his 90th birthday and 60th anniversay of Sacerdotal ordination on 16th April 2005. It was an occasion for the priests and religious of the diocese and the Salesian Province to rally around this veteran missionary in thanksgiving. The celebration took place at Don Bosco Mirik, Darjeeling H.C., with the sun shining gloriously on this late winter day, the 16th of April 2005. There were over 30 priests at the solemn Eucharistic concelebration as well as more than a hundred Consecrated Religious, and a small group of lay people - the friends and well-wishers of this veteran missionary of the Darjeeling Hill Council. The Holy Eucharist at 10.00 am was presided over by the Jubilarian himself. The singing in Nepali by the parish choir was exquisite and devotional. The homily was preached by Rt. Rev. Thomas D`Souza, the Bishop of Bagdogra diocese, a witness to Fr. Jellici`s missionary endeavours for many years, when he was a member of the Darjeeling diocese. The Bishop spoke appreciatively of the indefatigable missionary spirit of Fr. Jellici. Pointing out that Fr. Jellici was a ``missionary on the move`` he humourously reminded the assembly that when the Salesians were allowed to enter Darjeeling by Archbishop Perier in 1937, they were told that they could go to Sonada provided they did not go out (for ministry); while Bishop Eric Benjamin of Darjeeling, on becoming bishop of the new dicoese, told them in 1963 that they could remain on in Sonada provided they went out. Fr. Jellici had taken the cue and started `` going out`` - constantly moving around preaching the Good News to all and sundry - the poor and the rich, the illiterate and the educated, the Garden workers as well as the Tea Garden Managers. He hasn`t stopped doing that even now at the age of 90 - and the Kingdom is growing! The Holy Mass was followed by a felicitation programme in the Don Bosco School hall, during which Fr. W. Bourke S.J., the Vicar General of Darjeeling diocese, representing the Bishop, pointed out the jovial and lively character of the Jubilarian. He added also that Fr. Jellici was a ``walking history`` as far as the Church in Darjeeling was concerned. Fr. Nicholas Lo Groi, a former provincial of Kolkata Province, affirmed that Fr. Jellici was ``one of the few in Salesian India who can link us to the (Salesian) roots``. Fr. Luigi Jellici was born on 4th March, 1915 at Tesero (Trent, Italy) and studied at the Salesian aspirantate at Ivrea from 1922. When he burst out in tears at the departure of his elder brother to Thailand as a missionary, Don Rinaldi had taken him aside and consolingly prophesied to thim that one day he too would be a missionary like his brother. Luigi Jellici came to India in 1932 as a novice and became a Salesian in the following year. After an extended Practical Training when he was ready for commencing theological studies World War II commenced, and he was interned in the concentration camps of Deoli and Dehradun by the British along with other nationals of non-allied countries. He completed almost all of his theological studies in the Camp and was ordained a priest on 7th December 1944. Even before the war ended he was granted freedom from the concentration camp and he started his sacerdotal ministry and missionary life, first at Arni (Tamil Nadu) in 1944 and then at Raliang (Meghalaya) in 1945. From 1946 to 1963 he was Mission Procurator and Cathedral Choir Master at the Catholic Orphan Press in Calcutta. Since his arrival in Sonada (Darjeeling) in 1963 he has always been a missionary in the Darjeeling district. In his short speech at the conclusion of the felicitation programme Fr. Jellici had this message for all: ``Be happy! Turn your life into a race - even with obstacles - run fast and with enthusiasm. Do not look back at the obstacles you might knock down. Run like a child - with joy, optimism and enthusiasm`` - Just what he had been doing for the last 90 years! Fr. Mathew Pulingathil, his Rector, remarked that Fr. Jellici was not one who went around with a show of asceticism; that he didn`t want people to look at him as a Saint. He was practcial and enjoyed life to the full. He lived his life ardently for Jesus, as Christ`s missionary. ``Though ninety years in age, Fr. Jellici has not grown old, he has only advanced in years, and he remains young at heart``, someone quipped at the celebration. Fr. Jellici keeps his youthful energy to roam around the hills and valleys of Darjeeling to proclaim the good News of Christ. He can rightly be called the ``Apostle of the Balasun Valley`` due to the tireless and valuable pioneering work he has done there for over 40 years. Those who came to celebrate his Jubilee wished him that many more! Source : Fr. Antony Earathara