Jesuits of Dumka-Raiganj Province Celebrate Centenary of Their Mission Among the Santal Community

DUMKA, Jharkhand, March 3, 2025 – The Jesuits of the Dumka-Raiganj Province celebrated the centenary of their mission among the Santal community of the region with a grand event in Dumka on March 1, 2025. Most Rev. Leopoldo Girelli, Apostolic Nuncio to India and Nepal, graced the occasion with his presence as the Chief Guest, with Monsignor Joseph Galea-Curmi, Auxiliary Bishop of Malta, and Mr. Reuben Gauci, High Commissioner of Malta to India, as guests of honour. The event was attended by 16 bishops, 500 priests and religious, and over 15,000 faithful from the dioceses of Dumka, Raiganj, and Purnea.

The Jesuit mission in Dumka and Raiganj, which began in 1925 with the arrival of missionaries from Malta and Sicily, has since flourished, giving rise to three full-fledged dioceses. The pioneers of the mission, including Fr. Anthony Debono S.J., Fr. Joseph Cordero S.J., Fr. Benjamin Cauchi S.J., and Fr. Grech Cumba S.J., laid the foundation for the region’s spiritual and social transformation. Today, the mission, which initially served the Santals of the region, serves a diverse population, including Paharias, Oraons, and other marginalised communities, through its extensive network of parishes, schools, hostels, and healthcare centres.

The centenary celebrations, themed "Recalling with Love, Relishing with Gratitude, and Responding with Generosity," featured a solemn Eucharistic celebration led by Rt. Rev. Thomas D’Souza, Archbishop of Kolkata. During the inauguration of the event, the host bishops, Rt. Rev. Julius Marandi (Dumka Diocese), Rt. Rev. Fulgence Tigga (Raiganj Diocese), and Rt. Rev. Francis Tirkey (Purnea Diocese), felicitated the dignitaries and honoured the contributions of past and present missionaries to the province.

After the Mass, there was a cultural program that featured folk dances and other performances celebrating the rich culture of the region. The six-hour-long program culminated with a festive meal for all attendees. 

Fr. K.C. Stephen, Provincial of the Dumka-Raiganj Jesuits, ensured a spiritually enriching preparation for the centenary celebrations over the past one year, with compulsory retreats for all members, pastoral planning, and school competitions leading up to the grand event. The organising team, led by Fr. Periyanayagam Moses S.J., coordinated the event with meticulous planning and execution.

Reflecting on a century of mission work, the Jesuits of the Dumka-Raiganj Province expressed gratitude for the blessings received and reaffirmed their commitment to serving the people of the region with renewed zeal. The centenary celebration not only honoured the contribution of the Jesuits over the past century to the region but also set the course for the future of their mission.