More than 2,550 people attend chapel blessing.
NEW ROCHELLE, NY (May 28, 2026) Salesian missionaries have a new chapel in Palashguri, a small village in the Baksa district within the state of Assam, India. The chapel was made possible thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. More than 2,550 people attended the chapel blessing and inauguration, followed by a fellowship meal together.
The work included building the foundation, walls, and plastering, as well as roofing and windows. The ceiling, doors and tiling work followed. Later, the altar was designed, and electrical work for lights and fans was completed.
A Salesian said, “The people are happy that they have a place to pray together. The community becomes stronger day by day and will have their own prayer services in the chapel, especially on Friday adoration, Saturday rosary and Sunday community service.”
One of the parishioners is Innocent Basumatary. She noted, “The village is located in the foothills of Bhutan. We can see the Bhutan mountains from the village. The people of the village are poor. They are daily laborers working in the fields and tea gardens. Everyone is happy with the new chapel. They feel strong as a community coming together to pray and spend their time together as a family. They want to grow stronger in their faith.”
Much of the village lacks clean water access and electricity. The goal for the community is to be able to develop both in the future to make life easier and more sustainable for the people.
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About Salesian Missions
Salesian Missions is headquartered in New Rochelle, NY, and is part of the Don Bosco Network—a worldwide federation of Salesian NGOs. The mission of the U.S.-based nonprofit Catholic organization is to raise funds for international programs that serve youth and families in poor communities around the globe. The Salesian missionaries are made up of priests, brothers and sisters, as well as laypeople—all dedicated to caring for poor children throughout the world in more than 130 countries and helping young people become self-sufficient by learning a trade that will help them gain employment. To date, more than 3 million youth have received services funded by Salesian Missions. These services and programs are provided to children regardless of race or religion. For more information, go to SalesianMissions.org.
