“Mission is a Passion for Jesus,” says Deputy Secretary General of CCBI

Pilar, Goa | 27 October 2025: “Mission is not a task, but a passion for Jesus,” said Rev. Dr. Stephen Alathara, Deputy Secretary General of the Conference of Catholic Bishops of India (CCBI), while addressing priests, religious sisters, lay associates, and seminarians of the Canossian family at Pilar Centre, Goa. He was inaugurating the training programme for the Canossian Family members.

Fr. Alathara reminded the participants that every Christian is called to live mission as a way of life. “Our life itself is a mission. Each man and woman is a mission, that is the purpose of our existence on this earth,” he said. He emphasized that the heart of every mission is a personal encounter with Jesus. “When we love Jesus deeply, mission becomes our natural response,” he added.

Inviting the participants to rekindle their missionary zeal, Fr. Alathara urged them to live the Gospel with joy, simplicity, and compassion in their daily lives. Speaking on missionary discipleship, he underlined that the Church in India is called to bear witness to Christ in a pluralistic and multi-religious society. “Our mission is not to convert people, but to transform lives through love, service, and dialogue,” he said.

He appreciated the long-standing missionary commitment of the Canossian congregations in India, especially their service in education, health care, and social development. “You continue the mission of St. Magdalene of Canossa by making God’s love visible, especially among the poor and the marginalized,” Fr. Alathara noted.

Earlier in the day, he presided over the inaugural Holy Mass at the Venerable Agnel Shrine, Pilar. The Mass was concelebrated by Fr. Shyam Prasad, Delegate Superior, along with Fr. Francis and Fr. Vigan Das. The training programme for the leaders of the Canossian Family will conclude on 29 October 2025.

By Catholic Connect Reporter