Pastoral work in Missions

This command of Christ is to all the baptized. Those men and women chosen by God and consecrated have a special duty to carry out the mission. The Society of St.Francis de Sales founded by Fr.Chaumont take up this work as by the persons being in the world, shaping themselves as people of deep interior life, feeding on the Word of God ,carry on the pastoral ministry to the people around them. The religious branch of this society the Salesian Missionaries of Mary Immaculate (SMMI) make this ministry, their priority whatever the work they take up.

When the first missionaries were sent to India from the Society in 1889 they were given the name as Catechist Missionaries Mary Immaculate (CMMI). They were fully involved in this mission as their name stands. This Spirit of our Pioneers impels us to teach catechism right from the starting of our formation. To this day we continue this mission in our schools, in the parish giving Sunday Catechism classes. Catechism is the base which opens up one to the great ministry of Christ the savior and other aspects of Faith.

It is said of the first group of missionaries under the leadership of Mother Marie Gertrude, used to visit the villages by walking many miles and travelled by bullock cart. Yes we follow this special tradition of visits of the families in our entire mission. This paves way for pastoral contacts, gain knowledge of the family members, and to stand by them in their joys, still more in their sorrows. Many a family has discovered God. They have been lifted up in their social status through our help when it was needed, more than that by our presence, prayer and encouragement. We take up camps in the villages to reach out to the poor and needy.

Our Founder Fr.Chaumont wanted us always to be auxiliaries of the priests. We try to render our service at all levels in the Parishes where we serve. There is collaboration to a greater extent, being as bridges between the people and priests. We take keen interest in all the activities of the parish and promote and growth to the best of our ability.

We are ever available to teach Catechism of the adults who are eager to accept Christianity from other faith. Many a times our help is asked to prepare the couple to receive the Sacrament of Matrimony. We render our help during Annual Reception of Sacraments like the Holy Eucharist, Confirmation in the parishes. During our visits we spot out those who need the Sacraments of the Anointing and refer to the priests.

SMMI’s missionary work is inclusive of various ministries. Wherever we work we keep the priority of the Salvation of the souls and serve the local Church with this target in our mind. May the good Lord enable us to continue our search of the lost sheep of every kind and gather them through our pastoral ministry.