Anekal, Bangalore Jesuit Institutions Celebrate 50 Years of Service and Community Impact

Bangalore, July 7, 2025 : The Jnana Jyothi Campus in Anekal buzzed with joy and reverence on 28th June 2025, as the Anekal Jesuit Institutions concluded their Golden Jubilee celebrations under the theme “ABCD – Accompanying, Building, Caring and Dreaming.”

The day commenced with a solemn Eucharistic Celebration, led by Dr. Peter Machado, Archbishop of Bangalore. The Mass served as a heartfelt thanksgiving for God’s abundant blessings over five decades of the Anekal Jesuit Mission and its many stakeholders. During his reflective homily, Fr. Melwyn Lobo SJ highlighted the Lord’s overflowing grace that has sustained and nurtured the Mission’s journey.

The Jubilee events encompassed all key units of the Anekal Jesuit Mission, including St. Joseph’s School, St. Joseph’s PU College, St. Joseph’s Church, the Centre for Integral Rural Welfare (CIRW), and the Jnana Jyothi Jesuit Community. Nearly 60 priests and numerous Jesuits who have served across various ministries over the years attended, each having left behind a legacy of commitment and compassion.

After the Eucharist, the programme continued with a felicitation ceremony, honouring the selfless contributions of Jesuits, collaborators, and benefactors. A vibrant cultural programme followed, featuring performances by students and staff from the Mission’s various units. From energetic dances to soulful songs, every performance embodied the spirit of unity, service, and gratitude. More than 600 people — including students, staff, alumni, friends, and well-wishers — participated, ensuring the day was truly memorable.

Delivering the keynote address, Fr. Dionysius Vaz SJ, Provincial of the Karnataka Jesuit Province, praised the Mission’s lasting impact on the lives of people in and around Anekal. Fr. Shantharaj Thomas SJ, Superior of the Anekal Jesuit Mission, extended a warm welcome to the gathering and led the felicitation proceedings.

The celebrations concluded with a festive community meal, reinforcing the sense of belonging and shared purpose among all present.

As the curtain falls on the Golden Jubilee Year, the Jesuits of Anekal Jesuit Mission have expressed deep gratitude to all donors, benefactors, collaborators, and friends who have supported their mission of faith, education, and social upliftment. With hearts full of hope, they look forward to continuing their journey with the same spirit of accompanying, building, caring, and dreaming — striving for a more just, humane, and compassionate society.

By Superior of Jnana Jyothi