Odisha Region Commits to Mission 2033: Forming Missionary Disciples of Jesus

Jharsuguda, Odisha, August 23, 2025: Reaffirming its commitment to Mission 2033, the Odisha region gathered vocation promoters and early-stage formators for a two-day seminar-cum-workshop at Shanti Bhavan, SVD Provincialate, Utkal Jyoti, Jharsuguda, on 23–24 August. Organised by the CCBI VSCR Commission in collaboration with the Commission for Migrants, the programme aimed to empower participants to become true missionary disciples of Jesus in preparation for the Church’s pastoral vision.

Nearly 100 participants from dioceses and congregations across the region actively engaged in the sessions. The event opened with the Holy Eucharist celebrated by Fr. Anuranjan Bilung SVD, Provincial Superior of the SVD India East Province, who stressed that vocation promotion with a strong missionary orientation is “the need of the hour.”

The seminar was formally inaugurated by Niranjan Sualsingh, Bishop of Sambalpur and Regional Chairman of the VSCR Commission, who also delivered the keynote address. Praising the collaboration between the two commissions, he highlighted the deep link between formation and migration.

“Migration is a reality, and evangelisation will often happen through migration,” Bishop Sualsingh said. “The Incarnation itself was God’s migration into humanity. Through migration, faith is carried, and vocations are inspired.” He drew insights from Scripture, Abraham’s journey, and the experiences of the Church following the 2008 Kandhamal persecution. His reflections sparked meaningful dialogue and offered participants greater clarity on the theme.

Fr. Charles Leon and Fr. Jaison Vadassery, Secretaries of the CCBI Commissions for VSCR and Migrants, led sessions with engaging presentations and discussions. They encouraged participants to explore new pathways for forming missionary evangelisers in line with the CCBI Pastoral Plan 2033.

Workshops centred on practical strategies for vocation promotion and formation, paying special attention to the pastoral challenges of migration in shaping future priests and religious. The sessions aimed at producing concrete steps to guide the Odisha region in fostering missionary disciples ready to evangelise with zeal and compassion.

The seminar concluded on 24 August with the presentation of a clear action plan aligned with the national pastoral vision for Mission 2033.

Fr. Lancy Rodrigues SVD and Fr. Kumud Badset, Regional Secretaries, coordinated the programme.

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