A year-long celebration of commemoration of the 500th year of St. Ignatius ‘Cannonball moment’ finally concluded with the celebration of the Ignatian conclave on July 30-31, 2022 by the St. Xavier’s University, Kolkata (SXUK). As a part of the conclave, multiple events were organised in the last week of July 2022.

The rolling Ignatius Cup for football and volleyball for both men and women was introduced on July 22, 2022. The celebration began with a creative art exhibition by all departments on the themes ‘Life of St. Ignatian of Loyola’ and ‘Universal Apostolic Preference-1, 2, 3 and 4’ on July 25, 2022. Fr. J. Felix Raj, S.J. inaugurated the exhibition.

A euphoric week filled with multiple creative events reached its culminating point with the football match in which students, alumni members, teachers and non-teaching staff members of the University participated enthusiastically. Fr. Dr. John Felix Raj, S.J. Vice-Chancellor of SXUK and Dr. Sonajharia Minz, Vice-Chancellor of Sido Kanu Murmu University inaugurated the sports events by unveiling the Ignatius football cup.

While St. Xavier’s University Alumni Association (SXUKAA) emerged victorious in the football men’s tournament, Xavier Law School (XLS) bagged the cup in the football women’s tournament. XLS also made its mark as the winner of the both Volleyball men’s and women’s tournament. Participation of the female faculty members in the ‘pass the ball’ game was equally significant. The famous quote of St. Ignatius, “Go forth and set the world on fire” was truly reflected throughout the events.

On July 30, 2022, Prof. Minz addressed the faculty members on New Education Policy 2020. The interesting deliberations was concluded with an interactive session with faculty members. After that, Dr. Minz also inaugurated the ‘Mother Teresa Niwas for Girls’, the girls’ hostel of the University. Mr. Firhad Hakim, Hon’ble Minister of Urban Development & Municipal Affairs Dept. and the Mayor of Kolkata Municipal Corporation inaugurated the ‘Tagore Niwas for Boys’, the boys hostel at the august presence of Father Vice-Chancellor and other dignitaries, faculty members and hostel students.

In the afternoon, the Xaverians in Action (XIA), the social outreach wing of the University organized a colourful edition of ‘Sishu Mela’. The event was filled with a plethora of attractions ranging from food, games, song and dance, short-film and cultural creativity for the children. A total of 220 children along with their parents and teachers from the five adopted villages namely, Kulberia, Kathalberia, Beonta, Dharmtala-Panchuria and Hatisala joined the celebration. The event showcased how the Xaverian Family extended much beyond the geographical boundaries of the University to the underprivileged surrounding areas as well.

On the concluding day, Fr. Raj delivered the conclave address in the significance of being Xaverian and Ignatian. Prizes were distributed to the winners of various categories. The book ‘Ignatian Sparks’, a collection of selected papers presented in the international conference was released by Rev. Fr Raj. A skit on significant events in the life of St. Ignatius of Loyola was staged too.

- Krishna Roy