A Celebration of Student Success at DeSales Academy in India
On Thursday, January 30, 2025, the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales celebrated the annual day “DeSales Fiesta 2025” at DeSales Academy in Bangalore, India. Joined by lay teachers, administrators, and staff of the school, the event centered on the theme “Time Travel – A Tribute to Parents” and was attended by over two thousand participants which included parents and friends of current students, as well as prospective students and their families. An opportunity to recognize the successful achievements of the students at the school, which spans grades pre-K through 12, the celebration featured student presentations of song and dance for the audience, highlighting traditional and contemporary music and costumes.
In attendance were Father Johnson Mathew, OSFS, Regional Superior of the Indian Region who also serves as Manager of the institution; Father Bijesh Thomas, OSFS, the Principal who also serves the Oblates as a General Councilor; Father Shabin Jose, OSFS, Vice Principal; Father George Thomas, OSFS, Administrator; and, two Oblates from the Wilmington-Philadelphia Province: Brother Dan Wisniewski, OSFS, and Brother Joe Schodowski, OSFS, both of whom were welcomed and honored as special guests of DeSales Academy. Brother Dan had the privilege of addressing the audience, focusing on the transformative aspects of a Salesian education that connects the head and heart through the “little virtues” taught by St. Francis de Sales. A variety of academic and co-curricular awards were distributed to students who were congratulated by the Oblates in attendance. The evening concluded with the recognition of graduating secondary-level students whose formal commencement would happen two weeks later. A video recap of the celebration is available here.
DeSales Academy is an independent school administered by the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales, which follows the long-standing Oblate tradition of educating young people with a spirituality inspired by St. Francis de Sales. As at other Oblate schools around the world, the Salesian way of education is appreciated for its value-based, unbiased, and Christ-centered education, a pedagogy that is derived from our patron, guiding students to love and respect their God-given gifts and talents in such a way that they will endeavor to develop them. DeSales Academy is currently exploring a Salesian Education Exchange Program with other schools around the world which are administered or associated with the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales.
Learn more about the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales India Province here.
Bro. Dan Wisniewski, OSFS
Director of Oblate Education & Director of Formation
