By Ripon Rozario, SJ

The establishment of the first novitiate in Bangladesh in 2022 marked a milestone for the Society of Jesus in the region, responding to growing pastoral needs and reflecting confidence that more men in Bangladesh are responding to the call to Jesuit life.

Three young men in Bangladesh had completed their pre-novitiate and were ready to begin their novitiate. Normally, they would have traveled abroad for this – most often to India, sometimes to Sri Lanka. But in 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic closed borders and halted visa processing.

Faced with this situation, the Jesuit formation team considered three options: ask the men to wait until overseas novitiates could accept them again, with no clear timeline; encourage them to join another congregation or pursue diocesan priesthood; or establish a Jesuit novitiate in Bangladesh.

After consultation and prayerful discernment, they chose the third option and submitted their proposal to the Superior General, who recognized the urgency and thepastoral need of the moment and granted approval. On 16 July 2022, the first Jesuit Novitiate in Bangladesh opened with three novices at a newly prepared property in Mathbari, Gazipur. Today, seven novices are in formation. Two novitiate classes have already completed the first stage of Jesuit formation; four of those men have professed First Vows and continue their studies in India.

Formed in Diversity, Rooted in Local Reality

A defining feature of the novitiate is the diversity of those who enter. The novices come from different regions of Bangladesh and bring varied cultural and linguistic backgrounds, offering early experience in intercultural and interlingual living – an essential dimension of Jesuit life and mission.

Formation within their own cultural and social context allows novices to grow in awareness of the country’s social, religious, and political realities while appreciating the breadth of their local cultures more deeply. Through community interactions and apostolic placements across the country, they encounter firsthand the struggles, suffering, hopes and resilience of the local people. These experiences cultivate compassion, solidarity and a deeper sense of mission that will shape their future apostolic work.

Living close to the people also allows novices to organically form relationships with the local community, fostering mutual understanding and trust. The novices aren’t just praying and studying in isolation; they are living among and serving the local people, sharing their struggles and their joys.

Building a Culture of Vocation

Novices regularly participate in Sunday liturgies at the nearby parish church and assist in various liturgical ministries. Through these engagements, many people have come to know the Jesuits more closely. This visibility has sparked interest and curiosity among young people, gradually opening hearts to the possibility of religious life. The growing awareness is bearing fruit: an increasing number of young men are now discerning a Jesuit vocation.

There are six candidates in the candidate house and nine pre-novices in the pre-novitiate, with another five or six expected to enter the novitiate this June. What began as a response to a crisis has become a sign of growth, faith and commitment to preparing men for the service of the Church and society. Formed in the diversity of their own cultures and the realities of their homeland, these future Jesuits are being prepared to minister in their context and yet ready to go wherever the mission calls them.

By Fr Saju George, SJ

The Raghabpur Jesuit Mission in South 24 Parganas, West Bengal, stands as a living testament to nearly 150 years of devoted service to the poor. Rooted in Jesuit values, the mission flourishes through four pillars: St. Joseph’s Catholic Parish, St. Paul’s High School, St. Xavier’s College, and Kalāhṛdaya – The Universal Home of Art and Culture. Together, they advance pastoral care, education, social welfare, and cultural preservation.

St. Joseph’s Catholic Church

Founded 135 years ago, St. Joseph’s is the oldest and second-largest parish in the Catholic Diocese of Baruipur, serving over 2,100 Catholic families across seven sub-stations. The church has become a symbol of faith and communal harmony, fostering understanding among Hindus, Muslims, and Christians.

St. Paul’s High School

Established in 1877 as St. Paul’s Middle Vernacular School, this was the first Bengali-medium coeducational school in the district. Today, St. Paul’s High School operates as a government-aided Jesuit-managed Higher Secondary School, offering Arts, Commerce, and Science streams to approximately 1,500 students. St. Joseph’s Church, built nearby in 1891, became the spiritual heart of a growing Catholic community that eventually gave rise to five additional parishes.

Kalāhṛdaya – The Heart of Art

Kalāhṛdaya, meaning “The Heart of Art”, is a vibrant centre dedicated to preserving and promoting cultural and performing arts. It embraces Indian classical, folk, tribal, and contemporary dance, along with theatre, music, painting, sculpture, martial arts, yoga, language training, and personal development. Its guiding principle is inclusive growth – bringing arts and education to the economically and culturally marginalized, particularly girls. Nearly 90% of its students come from Dalit communities.

The institution’s motto, Satyam Vada, Dharmam Cara (“Speak Truth and Pursue Righteousness”), reflects its deep moral foundation. Founded by Fr Saju George, SJ, in 2001 at Satya Nilayam Jesuit Philosophate in Chennai, Kalāhṛdaya relocated to Haridevpur, Kolkata, before settling in Bakeswar village in 2010. Since January 2025, it has operated as a Registered Public Charitable Trust, serving around 300 children and youth, with plans to introduce university-level programs in arts and culture.

St. Xavier’s College, Raghabpur Campus

Established in July 2014 by St. Xavier’s College (Autonomous), Kolkata, under Fr John Felix Raj, SJ, this campus was founded to bring quality higher education to rural youth in South 24 Parganas. Initially offering Bengali-medium courses with English support, the college fosters excellence through academic rigor, leadership development, and active participation in National Cadet Corps (NCC), National Service Scheme (NSS), and cultural programs.

The college offers undergraduate courses in Bengali (Honours and General) and Commerce, alongside postgraduate and doctoral programs in Bengali, History, and Political Science. Career-oriented certificate courses and industry partnerships – such as a hospitality management program with the Chowman restaurant chain – enhance employability. Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) training for civil service aspirants, future programs in digital humanities and cybersecurity, and centres for Gender Studies and Indian Knowledge Systems further enrich its academic offerings.

Sports, music, and community outreach through NSS and NCC units contribute to students’ holistic formation. The annual mega health camp, supported by the alumni association, exemplifies the Jesuit commitment to compassion and service. Infrastructure improvements, including a new motorway and proposed hostels, have enhanced accessibility and encouraged many young women to pursue higher education.

As the first college in this rural region, St. Xavier’s Raghabpur has transformed lives – especially for first-generation learners. Students receive financial assistance when needed and enjoy the same academic and extracurricular opportunities as those at the Park Street main campus. Arts graduates often become teachers, while Commerce students secure positions in corporate, retail, and banking sectors.

Over the past 15 years, the Raghabpur Jesuit Mission has brought visible and lasting transformation to the region. It remains a beacon of faith, education, and empowerment – an enduring symbol of hope for the rural poor and a shining example of Jesuit dedication to holistic human development.

Father General’s Visit to St. Xavier’s College, Raghabpur

Continuing his visit to the Calcutta Jesuit Province, Fr General Arturo Sosa visited the Raghabpur campus of the prestigious St. Xavier’s College, Kolkata. Located about 17 kilometres from the historic Park Street campus, Raghabpur was originally established to extend higher education to women and to respond to the growing need for inclusive learning spaces.

During his visit, Fr General inaugurated two newly constructed academic blocks, marking a significant step in the expansion of the institution’s mission. The occasion was one of joy and gratitude for the entire Xavier’s community, as it reaffirmed the Society of Jesus’ enduring commitment to “forming men and women for and with others”.

Addressing the gathering, Fr General reminded everyone that “Jesuit education is not merely about academic excellence, but about shaping consciences, nurturing compassion, and building a more just and humane world.” His words resonated deeply with students, faculty, and staff, inspiring them to continue their pursuit of holistic formation.

This milestone stands as a testament to the vision of inclusive and transformative education. It strengthens the legacy of St. Xavier’s College as a centre of excellence, service, and hope, responding creatively to the needs of our time.