Indian missionary society celebrates 70

Uttar Pradesh, November 16, 2011: The founding of the IMS with its charism of pioneering evangelization is a land mark event for the Church in North India.

The Indian Missionary Society commemorated the arrival of its founder Reverend Father Gasper A. Pinto in the Holy City, Varanasi, seventy years ago on 3rd November 1941, which is celebrated as the ‘Society Day’ of the IMS.

The Society was founded at a time when India was undergoing a political turmoil due to freedom struggle and when the foreign comrades of Christianity were being sent back.

In response to a long felt need for indigenous labourers for the spread of the Gospel and with the conviction that the salvation of India would be brought mainly through her own sons, Fr. Gasper A. Pinto, guided by the divine providence, founded the Indian Missionary Society.

On this occasion, presiding over the Holy Eucharist, Rev. Fr. Jose Subhash, the Superior General of the Society stated, “It is once again an opportune time to thank God for his numerous blessings to our community and to reflect on what more needs to be done in order to become much more effective in our apostolate as pioneer Religious Missionaries. The positive growth of the Missionaries is the positive growth of the Church too.

The Society has gone through various struggles, faced serious crises and has grown during the last 70 years. It is this struggle that would help us go forward more joyously at the service of the Lord. On this occasion, was also celebrated the Golden Jubilee of the religious profession of six of our members who arduously worked in the remote villages in spreading the Good News against all odds.

Felicitating the jubilarians, His Excellency Rt. Rev. Raphy Manjali, Bishop of Varanasi, said, “You have made it easier for people to believe that God is love and compassion; you have given life, love and hope to numerous people. And I want to congratulate you and felicitate you for responding to God’s love. I wish each of you many more years of happy and fruitful service.”

Geared up with zeal and zest for pioneering evangelization and for pastoral activities, the members are working in twenty-nine dioceses in the country and in ten abroad today. The occasion was graced with the presence of more than 350 religious, clergy, and well-wishers. The cultural evening added beauty to the 70th Birthday celebrations of the Society. .

– ims