The Campus Ministry Cell, in association with Club Cadenza, the music club of Don Bosco College, Panjim, Goa, hosted Celestia 2.0, an inter-collegiate choir competition, at the Bicentenary Hall as part of the Silver Jubilee Celebrations of the College.
Held under the theme "Abide in Me," drawn from John 15:4, the competition saw 11 choirs from various colleges across Goa take part, each team named after a place from the Bible. Every choir performed two hymns rooted in the theme, with one hymn rendered in Konkani, bringing together faith and local musical tradition on one stage.
##Article ContentDelivering the welcome address, Director Rev. Fr. Kinley D'Cruz spoke of music's power to bring people together and become an expression of faith and noted that Celestia's second edition held special significance as the college marked 25 years of shaping young lives — nurturing not just academic learning but talent, community, and self-expression. Principal Prof. Teotone Vaz addressed the gathering and sang the rendition of the Konkani hymn "Mhojea Adharak Pav," adding a personal and devotional touch to the proceedings. The event was formally declared open by Chief Guest Mr. Avinash Fernandes, who performed an instrumental piece of "I Surrender Lord" on the flute.
Mr. Avinash Fernandes, a multi-instrumentalist proficient in over 12 instruments and founder of Genesis Music School, has arranged music for numerous liturgical hymns and composed for Mando groups across Goa, and notably led the choir for the Solemn Mass at the Closing Ceremony of the St. Francis Xavier Exposition 2025.
The event was also graced by Dr. Frazer Taylor, Convenor of the Campus Ministry Cell, and Mr. Stanford Dias, Faculty Event-in-Charge and Convenor of Club Cadenza, whose presence lent the occasion its institutional and spiritual weight. In his introductory address, Dr. Taylor reflected on the spiritual significance of music, quoting St. Augustine's words, "He who sings, prays twice," and spoke of Celestia 2.0 as a fitting celebration of the college's Silver Jubilee year. The Event's student team — Student In-charge Veloshka Pereira, General Secretary Joshua Fernandes, and Cultural Secretary Stella Lopes — also played a key role in bringing the event to life.
The judging panel comprised Ms. Gail Coutinho, Mr. Velerio Mascarenhas, and Ms. Janice Parras.
Team Jericho of Rosary College of Commerce and Arts, Navelim, claimed first place, while Team Bethany of Don Bosco College of Engineering, Fatorda, secured second position. Team Gethsemane of St. Xavier's College, Mapusa, was placed third.
Celestia 2.0 brought together voices from across Goa's colleges in a celebration of faith and music, reaffirming the event's message: "Let faith resound. Let voices shine."
