Jesuit Vocation - Jesuits of Northeast India

to share and exchange about
-living of the JESUIT VOCATION in the NORTHEAST INDIA
-the collaborators' contribution in realizing this vocation

to INVITE more YOUNG people to respond to this vocation

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(Managed by WK Pradeep SJ) The Jesuits who work in northeast region of India are known as Kohima Jesuits. Ignatius Loyola with the approval of Pope Paul III. Ignatius Loyo

la had gathered around him an energetic band of well-educated men who desired nothing more than to help others find God in their lives. It was Ignatius’ original plan that the Jesuits be travelling missionaries who would preach and administer the sacraments wherever there was the hope of accomplishing the greater good. Since its foundation the Order has grown from the original ten to more than 16,000 Jesuits worldwide. At the invitation of the Government of Nagaland, three Karnataka Jesuits came to the northeast India in 1970 and opened a new mission in a village called Jakhama, Nagaland. The founding fathers of Jesuit Mission in Nagaland were Fr. Ligouri Castelino SJ, Fr. Stanislaus Coelho SJ, and Br. Raymond D’ Souza SJ. Ligouri Castelino and Br. Raymond D’ Souza arrived at Kohima on April 21st may, 1970. Stanny Coelho SJ landed on Kohima on may 11th 1970. The Roman Catholic missionary work in Nagaland was allowed only in the year 1951. The three Jesuit missionaries from Karnataka Jesuit Province began their work immediately in the year they arrived at Kohima. In the whole of Southern Angami area, the three Jesuit Missionaries began their work at Jakhama in the year 1970. Then it spread to the four neighboring villages of Phesama, Viswema, Khuzama and Kidima. Today the mission has grown into a thriving Province/Region with over 170 Jesuit engaged in mission and formation. Fr Melvil Victor Pereira SJ is at present the Provincial (leader) of the Kohima Jesuits. There are over hundred and seventy Jesuits working in this Region. At the invitation of the Government of Nagaland the Karnataka Jesuits came to Nagaland in 1970 and opened a new mission in a village called Jakhama. From then on we have opened many new centres – about twenty-three centres. Kohima Jesuits are mostly working in educational centres and parishes, as in:

Nagaland-Jakhama, Khuzama, Phesama, Pfutsero. Manipur- Moirang, Bishnupur, Liyai, Project. Assam- Didambra, Diyungbra, Guwahati, Gungjung. Meghalaya- Mawshohroh, Umbir, Umoid, Jalaphet, Maweit, Dawagre, William Nagar. Arunachal-Palizi, Buragaon, Thrizino, Bana. Mizoram- Dinthar