At St. Teresa’s Tomb, Communio Volunteers Renew Their Mission of Prayer, Solidarity and Service

Kolkata, 3 October 2026: The Communio Missionary Volunteers gathered at the tomb of St. Teresa of Kolkata, the patron saint of Communio, for a solemn Commitment and Recommitment Ceremony, renewing their dedication to the mission of the Church through Prayer, Solidarity and Mission.

A Commitment Made at the Tomb of Their Patron

The day began with the recitation of the Holy Rosary in Mother Teresa’s room, as the volunteers sought the intercession of Mary before gathering for the Eucharistic celebration.

Holy Mass was presided over by Fr. Stephen Alathara, Deputy Secretary General of the Conference of Catholic Bishops of India (CCBI) and Director of Communio.

Called to Make a Difference Through Love

The Eucharist was concelebrated by Fr. Glasten Gonsalves, Associate Director of Communio; Fr. Arul Rozario, Communio Director of Krishnagar Diocese; and Fr. Gautam, Communio Director of Baruipur Diocese.

Also present were Fr. Gnana Peppin, Regional Deputy Secretary of West Bengal; Miss Angela, Diocesan Youth Director; Sr. Sarita, Lay Animator of the Baruipur Diocesan Youth; and Sr. Margarita Dias SCB, Associate Director of Communio Trainings and Programmes, along with the volunteers.

In his homily, Fr. Stephen reflected on the importance of making a difference through small acts of love, kindness and service.

Drawing inspiration from Mother Teresa’s life, he reminded the volunteers that even the simplest gestures, when offered with great love, can bring hope and dignity to people who are poor, suffering or forgotten.

He encouraged them to recognise Christ in every person and remain faithful to their missionary calling.

Learning Faithful Missionary Discipleship

Following the Eucharist, Sr. Christine of the Missionaries of Charity offered an inspiring reflection on faithful missionary discipleship.

She highlighted prayer, humility, perseverance and unconditional love as essential qualities for those seeking to witness to the Gospel.

The volunteers were encouraged to remain rooted in Jesus and allow their lives to become a visible expression of Christian love.

A Renewed Promise at the Tomb

The central moment of the gathering was the Commitment and Recommitment Prayer Service, led by Fr. Stephen Alathara together with the accompanying priests. Fr. Gnana Peppin also participated in the significant occasion.

Standing at the tomb of their patron saint, the volunteers renewed their dedication to Communio and reaffirmed their commitment to its three pillars: Prayer, Solidarity and Mission.

The setting gave the ceremony particular significance, linking their missionary commitment with the legacy of a woman whose life was devoted to serving the poorest and most vulnerable.

Following Mother Teresa’s Legacy

The volunteers later visited Prem Dan, a home run by the Missionaries of Charity, where they reflected on Mother Teresa’s legacy of compassionate service and the dignity of every person.

The day concluded with a visit to the Victoria Memorial, providing an opportunity for fellowship and strengthening bonds among the volunteers.

Inspired by St. Teresa of Kolkata, the Communio Missionary Volunteers departed with renewed missionary zeal, seeking to transform interdependence into solidarity and bring the love of Christ to those most in need.

By Catholic Connect Reporter