Kerala Pilgrims Honour Kandhamal Martyrs in Odisha

Kandhamal, Odisha, 10 April, 2025: On 9 April, Fourteen pilgrims from Kerala, visited Kandhamal in Odisha, the Land of Martyrs, to pay tribute at the Tiangia Martyrs Memorial. The group included catechism students, three Catholic nuns from the Sisters of the Adorers of the Blessed Sacrament (SABS) and the Holy Family congregation, and Fr. Sebastian Vadakkumpadan, parish priest of St. Joseph Church, Karukunnu, Aluva.

“The theme of our pilgrimage is ‘Kandhamal is not far away when there is love’,” said Fr. Sebastian, former secretary to Prison Ministry India under the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India. “With 35 Servants of God, the seeds of the Catholic faith have grown. We pray daily in Kerala for the Odisha mission. You are not alone in your suffering.”

The pilgrims visited the Tiangia memorial, where seven of the 105 victims of the 2007–2008 anti-Christian violence were martyred.

“This pilgrimage has strengthened my faith,” said Ansiya Maria Siju Chakkiyath, a student leader. Fellow pilgrim Amos Kunjmon expressed his desire to return to Kandhamal after completing his education to serve the community.

Anakleta Nayak, a survivor of the violence, shared, “The visit of Kerala pilgrims encourages and inspires us to grow stronger in faith.”

Fr. Manoj Kumar Nayak, parish priest of Our Lady of Miraculous Medal Parish, Mondasor, expressed gratitude to missionaries from Kerala and beyond for their committed service during the community’s most painful times.

By Fr. Purushottam