Kerubadi Village In Odisha's Kandhamal District Marks 110 Years Of Catholic Faith

Kerubadi, Odisha, May 3, 2025: The Catholic community of Kerubadi, a village located in Odisha’s Kandhamal district, marked the 110th anniversary of the arrival of the Catholic faith in their village with a grand celebration on May 1. The vibrant celebration coincided with the Feast of St. Joseph the Worker and was held at Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Church, Daringbadi, which falls under the Archdiocese of Cuttack-Bhubaneswar. Nearly 1,500 faithful, including fifteen priests and ten religious sisters, participated in the celebration, which featured dancing, singing, and communal prayer.

The event commenced with the celebration of Holy Mass, presided over by Bishop Sarat Chandra Nayak of Berhampur. In his homily, Bishop Nayak highlighted the dignity of labour, stating, “Every kind of work holds value and deserves respect, regardless of its nature.”

Drawing from scripture and Church teachings, he also added that St. Joseph is a model for workers due to his dedication and humility.

Bishop Nayak further reminded the faithful, “We are created in God’s image to take care of creation with commitment, as St. Joseph did,” quoting from Thessalonians 3:10: "The one who is unwilling to work shall not eat."

Marking over a century of faith, several members from Kerubadi’s Catholic community expressed deep gratitude for the spiritual and social growth nurtured over the decades. “We are grateful to God for His unconditional support and guidance during the last 110 years of Christian life in our village,” remarked Liberio Nayak, a retired teacher from Kerubadi. “Through St. Joseph’s intercession, our village has been blessed with vocations and professionals,” he added, noting the presence of a bishop, five priests, 14 religious sisters, and numerous professionals, including doctors, engineers, teachers, and civil servants from the village at the event.

Pradosh Chandra Nayak, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cuttack-Bhubaneswar, reflected on the community’s growing faith: “Over the past 110 years, since Christianity was first introduced to the village, belief in Jesus as the Son of God has deepened significantly,” he said. “Christians are called to follow the example and teachings of Jesus, striving to be transformed into His image. They must lead lives marked by love, service, and faith, always seeking to help others—especially those in need,” he added.

Christianity was first introduced in the region by the Missionaries of St. Francis de Sales (MSFS) between 1850 and 1922 in parts of southern Odisha, including Ganjam, Puri, Asika, and Cuttack. In Kerubadi, Hardi Nayak and Bauri Nayak were the first to embrace the faith. Today, the Catholic population in the village has grown to over 2,000 faithful.

The celebration stood as a testament to the enduring legacy of the Catholic mission in the region and the vibrant faith of the Catholic community of Kerubadi.

By Purushottam Nayak