Presents

DNC Ministries

Santal Ministry

SANTHAL APOSTOLATE

Objective: To bring the Santhals of Pune and its neighbourhood together, to keep up the Santhal culture and its traditions, to bring awareness and to help them in legal matters in case of any need.

These Santhals are the migrants from Jharkhand, Odisha, West Bengal and Assam.

They migrated to Pune in search of employment. Some of them do hold government jobs where as others are daily labourers.

Santhal apostolate was started in the year 2006. by Sch. Ruben Murmu SJ (DUM).

In the beginning he went around attired in typical Santhal traditional dress called “Panchi” to attract Santhals.

Fr. Oscar SJ, the then Rector of De Nobili College (DNC), supported the endeavour and introduced as the new apostolate of the community.

However due to the inconsistent presence of Santhals in and around Pune and the lack of Santhali speaking brothers in DNC, this apostolate seemed to have died out for some time.

The Santhal Apostolate witnessed its resurrection in December 2008 when Fr. Jesu Raj, the Minister of DNC, initiated a “Christmas Get Together” for Santhals all over Pune which received a good response.

This was an indication of a good omen for the Santhal apostolate in the future.

Fr. Jesu encouraged and supported the scholastics, of Central Zones, to revive and to give a new lease of life to the Santhal apostolate.

He had to invest a lot of his time and energy in this endeavor in the beginning.

He has been the animator of the Santhal apostolate since then.

OUR WORK

Scholastics from DNC and Santhal brothers from Papal Seminary, visit Santhal people on weekends.

We talk to them and listen to them; we share their joys and sorrows.

We conduct family prayers and Holy Masses in their houses occasionally.

We arrange Santhali Mass at DNC on every third Sunday of the month.

A large number of Santhals (Christians and non-Christians) from Pune, Mumbai and from surrounding areas participate in this mega event.

FESTIVALTo keep up the tradition, we organize one of the greatest

Santhal cultural events “Baha Porob” once in a year.

The Santhal apostolate has always received a positive remark.

People have been very appreciative and happy about the commitment of its members.

This apostolate is flourishing under the tender guidance of Fr. Jesu.

The Rector of DNC, Fr. Keith Abranches SJ, personally encourages and supports all scholastics to be active in this apostolate.

It’ s a De Nobili College Presentation