- 28 August, 2026
Pondicherry, August 28, 2026: Commemorating 250 years of MEP missionary service in Puducherry, the Archdiocese of Pondicherry–Cuddalore brought together remembrance, thanksgiving and renewed missionary commitment during a three-day jubilee celebration from August 25 to 27 under the leadership of Archbishop Francis Kalist of Pondicherry–Cuddalore.
Held under the theme “Remember, Rejoice, Renew,” the celebrations honoured the contribution of 331 MEP missionaries who served in the Puducherry Mission over the past two and a half centuries.
Archbishop Francis Kalist of Pondicherry–Cuddalore led the jubilee celebrations, which brought together clergy, religious, lay faithful, political leaders and representatives of the MEP community.
MEP Superior General Fr Vincent Sénéchal inaugurated the jubilee by unfurling the jubilee flag at the Archbishop’s House. A special exhibition documenting the history, ministry and contributions of MEP missionaries in the Puducherry Mission was inaugurated in the presence of K. Kailashnathan, Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry.
The exhibition featured historical photographs, documents and accounts of the lives and ministries of MEP missionaries and their contribution to the development of the mission and local communities.
A debate titled “Was the service rendered by the MEP priests on this land religious or social?” examined the missionaries’ contribution beyond evangelisation, including education, social development and efforts for the upliftment of marginalised communities.
The inaugural Mass was presided over by Cardinal Oswald Gracias, Archbishop Emeritus of Bombay. It was followed by a civic function presided over by N. Rangasamy, Chief Minister of Puducherry. Ministers from the Puducherry Cabinet, legislators from Tamil Nadu and Members of Parliament attended the programme.
Speakers at the civic function recalled the sacrifices of the MEP missionaries and acknowledged their contribution to the people and development of the region.
More than 3,000 faithful, priests and religious sisters from the Archdiocese participated in a Thanksgiving Mass, along with archbishops and bishops from Tamil Nadu, Mysore and Mumbai. Cardinal Gracias presided over the Eucharistic celebration, which was followed by public commemorative programmes.
Reflecting on the jubilee, Fr Sénéchal thanked the Archdiocese for its hospitality and described the Christian community of Pondicherry–Cuddalore as “beautiful, generous, and unique.”
He said the large participation in the Eucharistic celebrations demonstrated the unity of the Church across differences, with priests, religious, lay faithful, youth and children gathering as one community.
“Generosity builds the Church,” Fr Sénéchal said, emphasising that the Church grows through the selfless contribution of its members. The experience of witnessing the community united in celebration, he added, renewed his own joy in missionary service.
He called for openness to new approaches and encouraged the faithful to adjust and adapt to changing circumstances while trusting in God.
Fr Sénéchal also stressed that renewal should not be understood as a return to the past. Instead, he said, it should involve creating something new and moving forward with courage and faith.
Cardinal Gracias challenged the Archdiocese to take the MEP missionary legacy beyond its traditional boundaries by sending missionaries to other parts of India.
Recalling that MEP missionaries had travelled from France to India to proclaim the Gospel and serve local communities, he said the Church in India now had an opportunity to continue that missionary tradition by sharing its personnel and resources across the country.
The jubilee concluded with a Thanksgiving Mass at the Immaculate Conception Cathedral, presided over by Fr Sénéchal.
The Archdiocese expressed gratitude to the MEP priests who participated in the historic celebration, including Fr Vincent Sénéchal, Superior General; Msgr Susairaj Antonysamy; Fr Guillaume Conquer; Fr Laurent Bissara; Fr Arockiadoss Vanathaiyan; Fr Irudayaselvam Stanislaus; and Fr Raj Dorai.
The 250th anniversary was presented not simply as an occasion to recall the past, but as a challenge to carry the MEP missionary legacy into the future through faith, service, generosity and evangelisation. The theme “Remember, Rejoice, Renew” summed up the jubilee’s message: honour the missionaries who served the region, celebrate their legacy and renew the commitment to mission.
Fr. R. Jayanth Rayan
Secretary,
Commission for Social Communication
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