Jesuit Superior General Releases Bengali Biography of Servant of God Fr. Ante Gabric in Gurap

Kolkata, February 25, 2026 — The Superior General of the Society of Jesus, Fr. Arturo Sosa, released the Bengali biography Debota Amader Modhe Chilen (“A Divine Being Was Among Us”) on February 22 at Gurap. The book chronicles the life and missionary witness of Fr. Ante Gabric, Servant of God, whose decades of service among the poor in eastern India continue to inspire the faithful.

During the gathering, Fr. Sosa met Jesuits, collaborators, and students of St. Xavier’s School, encouraging them to remain steadfast in their mission of faith and service. He is presently in India for meetings of the Jesuit Conference of South Asia, engaging Jesuit Provincials and visiting mission centres across the region, including outreach among the Santal tribal community.

A Mission Rooted in Service

Jesuit ministries across Midnapore, Jhargram, Bankura, Purulia, Burdwan, Hooghly, and Howrah collectively serve Adivasi and Dalit communities through parish work, education, hostels, and social outreach. Collaborating with religious congregations and lay partners, these centres support thousands of Santal students and families, continuing a mission that began in 1963 with a modest hostel for underprivileged children and has since grown into a network of vibrant pastoral and educational initiatives.

Addressing Jesuits and collaborators, Fr. Sosa affirmed their commitment to evangelisation through service, describing their work as a living witness that nurtures hope and promotes justice among the marginalised.

Honouring a Missionary Legacy

The newly released biography pays tribute to Fr. Ante Gabric, born in Metković, Croatia, in 1915, who dedicated more than five decades of missionary service in India, particularly among the people of the Sundarbans. Revered for his deep spirituality and selfless dedication, his tomb at Maria Palli has become a place of pilgrimage for people of diverse faith traditions.

The book was authored by Irudhaya Jothi, with the Bengali translation prepared by Timir Singha and Isaac Herold Gomes, making the missionary’s life accessible to a wider Bengali-speaking readership.

By Catholic Connect Reporter

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