By Fr Irudhaya Jothi, SJ
Over fifty years ago, a quiet revolution took root in the rugged tribal heartlands of West Bengal. The Calcutta Province of the Society of Jesus heeded the Gospel’s call to justice and love, offering hope to the Santal* people – India’s largest yet most marginalized indigenous community. Through education, pastoral ministry, and social outreach, the Calcutta Jesuits have transformed lives across West Bengal and neighbouring states, replacing despair with dignity.
The story starts in 1963, in the humble beginnings of Kalna, a town in the Purba Bardhaman district of West Bengal, India. What began as a simple hostel for underprivileged Santal children soon blossomed into a parish, mothering faith communities in Hooghly and Burdwan districts. From Kalna’s seeds grew Pandua in 1982, a haven for Santal children arriving for seasonal farm labourers. It evolved into a thriving school and social centre, nurturing young dreams amid hardship.
By 1993, Gurap, a village in Dhaniakhali of Hooghly district in the state of West Bengal, India, joined the fold, responding to swelling numbers of local children by founding a school for thousands of Santals in need. In Midnapur’s Chamrusai, the mission took root in 1975, becoming a full parish by 2011, blending education with pastoral care. Mirga started in 1980, pioneering alternative adult education to empower villages, while a hostel for grown up boys in Bankura followed in 1990. The newest chapter, Jhantipahari in 2004, now serves as school and hostel, reaching out to the children and families of Bankura district.
All this is possible with a dedicated team of 21 Jesuits working in collaboration with the Sisters of Charity of Saints Bartolomea Capitanio and Vincenza Gerosa (SCCG), the Sisters of Charity of Jesus and Mary (SCJM), the Sisters of the Cross of Chavanod (SCC), and the Friends of Jesus (FJ). Together, with 110 staff members, they educate around 2,500 students, accompany as many families, and serve growing local Catholic communities – making each unit a true beacon of hope.
Pioneers forged this path with tireless faith. Fathers Leopold Knockaert, Victor Hermitte, Charles Schaff, Charles Poncelet, Francis Siluvai, Mangal Das, Jean Pierre De Cocq, Albert Ernst, Jacques Watteyne, Stephen Panamthottam, Gerald Beckers, Joseph Segers, P.C. Mathew, Joseph Alexander, Chandan Gupta, Tapan Gomes, and Mathew Jeyanth – and many others – trusted divine providence. They walked extra miles, bringing light to darkness. Their legacy endures in today’s Jesuits and lay collaborators.
At the heart of this tale stands Fr Aloysius Carvalho, SJ, now 97, the founder of Mirga Mission in Bankura. For decades, he pedalled bicycles and trekked on foot to remote Santal villages, preaching the Gospel, teaching children, and empowering communities.
“I am deeply moved and filled with joy to witness the remarkable growth of the Santal Mission”, he reflects. “It is truly a grace to see how the united efforts of our province – through the dedication of our brothers and sisters, and the generous allocation of resources – have strengthened this mission in tangible and transformative ways.”
Fr Carvalho’s vision was holistic: not just spiritual seeds, but roots in education and economic uplift. “The commitment of men and resources is bearing beautiful fruit”, he says. “I am overjoyed to see the increase in the number of faithful, whose lives are being touched by the Gospel. Beyond spiritual growth, it is equally heartening to witness the transformation in their economic well-being, as education and holistic development have become a priority.”
Faith bloomed first. Through catechesis, sacraments, and worship, Santals embraced a Gospel of love and liberation, finding hope, dignity, and belonging. Baidyanath Tudu of Pandua Parish, shaped by Fr Mangal Das, SJ, embodies this. “Without the light of Christ that was lit in my family, I would not have become what I am today”, he shares. “I now serve as a Catechist in Pandua Parish, sharing the joy of being a Christian with others.” Stories like his ripple outward, creating community leaders.
Education shattered poverty’s chains. Schools, hostels, and vocational training equipped Santal youth for brighter futures. Economic empowerment followed via initiatives like the Udayani Social Action Forum. Women and men learned microfinance, sustainable farming, and rights advocacy. Basanti Soren from Hatgacha recalls her shy days as a school dropout. “I first met Jesuit priest Fr Irudhaya Jothi, SJ, from Udayani. He encouraged me to teach small children, then trained me to organize mothers and engage in microfinance. Now, we are a registered NGO caring for daily lives. Without the Jesuits’ committed service, this would not have been possible, women like me voice powerfully on behalf of the powerless women through six such NGOs in rural Bengal today.”
Honouring Santals’ bond with nature, the mission promotes environmental protection – sustainable living over consumerism – preserving heritage amid modern pressures. This is no solo epic; it’s a symphony of collaboration, echoing synodality. Babulal Hembram, once a Jesuit brother, now a lay leader, began in Kalna as a Catechist after leaving the Society of Jesus. “I have witnessed the tremendous growth of our people – spiritually, economically, and socially – thanks to many Jesuits”, he says. “The strong lay collaboration, especially through organized catechists who are the foot soldiers of Christ’s mission, is truly rewarding. I am happy to give back my strength to our people’s welfare. My prayer is that the Jesuits will continue their holistic development of the Santal community in West Bengal, so that future generations may experience God’s love and justice.”
Father General Sosa’s Visit to Gurap: Grace Among the Santals
Father General Arturo Sosa made a deeply moving visit to St. Xavier’s School in Gurap, joining the Jesuit community and collaborators serving the Santal population. The visit was a profound moment of grace and joy, offering a living witness to the transformative power of Jesuit mission among India’s most marginalized indigenous communities. Nestled in Hooghly district, St. Xavier’s Gurap has become a beacon of hope for Santal families, providing education, pastoral care, and social upliftment to children who might otherwise face cycles of poverty and exclusion.
“Here in Gurap, you live the Universal Apostolic Preference to accompany the excluded”, Fr General shared. “Your presence transforms not just individuals, but entire communities.” This intimate encounter perfectly complemented Fr Sosa’s convocation message, demonstrating how Xaverian education extends beyond campuses into the villages – walking with the poor, forming youth for justice, and building the Kingdom where it’s needed most.
*The Santal (also spelled Santhal) are the largest tribal community in eastern India and one of the most numerous indigenous (Adivasi) groups in the Indian subcontinent. They primarily reside in the states of Jharkhand, West Bengal, Odisha, Bihar, and Assam, with significant populations also in Bangladesh and Nepal.
