The Society of Jesus is a world wide order of Catholic priests and brothers (the Jesuits) founded by St Ignatius of Loyola a little over 500 years ago. Within India, the Society is divided into 18 Provinces and into half a dozen Regions (dependent on the Province). Jamshedpur Province is spread across two of the 29 States in India – Jharkhand and Orissa.

There are 233 priests, brothers and scholastics (men in studies) in Jamshedpur out of a total 4004 working in India and Sri Lanka. Our men work in a wide variety of ministries: elementary, secondary and higher educational institutions, parishes, retreat houses, social services, seminaries, Jesuit Refugee Camps and more.

By a decree of the General of the Jesuits, Very Reverend Father John Baptist Janssens, dated February 2, 1947, the new Jamshedpur Mission was created, carved from parts of Ranchi and Calcutta Missions. The geographical area covered by this second American Mission included the civil districts of Manbhum and Singhbhum, and the old states of Kharswan and Saraikela. The Mission was named after the principal city of the region, Jamshedpur, and was entrusted to the concern of the Maryland Province of the Society of Jesus in the United States. This was to be a mission very different from the already existing (since 1921) American Mission in Patna. The Missionaries to Jamshedpur landed in a new and free India born at midnight on August 15, 1947.

To know more about St Ignatius, the Jesuits and Jamshedpur Jesuits, click on the image below.

Chronology of Jamshedpur Jesuit Mission

1862    Bengal Mission was entrusted to the Belgian Province of the Society of Jesus.

1868    On 24 November Fr August Stockman from Kolkata arrives at Chaibasa to study the prospects of starting mission work among the tribals.

1869    10 July 1869 he was assigned to start a parish in Chaibasa.

St Xavier’s, Chaibasa comes into existence (but closed between 1909-32).

1873    First Tribal Catholic baptisms of Chhotanagpur in Khuntpani.

1874    Most of the newly baptized Munda tribals moved up to Burudi-Kochang in Ranchi District.

1882    Bandgaon Mission (but closed between 1895-1949)

1891    Chakradharpur Mission (no resident priest 1902-1951)

1918    Adra Mission

1918    St. Antony’s, Dhanbad

1919    St. Mary’s, Bistupur

1934    Anandpur Mission

1947    New Jamshedpur Mission carved out of Calcutta Mission and Ranchi Mission was assigned to Maryland Province (General’s letter 16 Jan 1947).

1947    Loyola School, Jamshedpur started by Frs Cecil Leeming and Robert Drugman of St Mary’s  parish.

1948    By a decree dated 2 Feb 1948, V.Rev.Fr J.B.Janssens,  erected the Jamshedpur mission on 12 March.

1949    XLRI, Jamshedpur

1949    Gomoh property for Hindi language school bought.

1953    St. Xavier’s High School, Lupungutu

1955    St. Teresa’s, Sindri

1956    De Nobili School, Digwadih

1956    St. Joseph’s, Golmuri

1956    Jamshedpur becomes an independent  Vice Province (12 March).

1964    Damien Social Welfare Centre (DSWC), Dhanbad.

1962    Jamshedpur Diocese was erected (2 July).

1968    St. Barbara’s, Mosaboni

1969    St. Robert’s, Parsudih

1970    JYOTI

1972    Our Lady of Guadalupe, TELCO

1972    Loyola Hall, Candidates House

1974    Holy Family, Kumardhubi

1975    Purulia Mission

1976    Loyola College of Education, Jamshedpur

1978    St. Theresa’s, Jhinkpani

1980    De Nobili Hindi School, Digwadih

1980    Kristanukaran Ashram, Novitiate, Lupungutu (till 1984)

1981    TRTC, Lupungutu

1981    Santhal Mission,  Tundi

1982    St. Ignatius School, Rengra

1982    DSWC  Extension in Seraikela

1983    St. John’s Centre, Tepasai

1983    Jamshedpur Vice-Province  becomes a Province.

1985    Jisu Marsal, Chandil

1985    Novitiate, Jesu Bhavan, Mango

1987    Claver Social Welfare Centre, Amda

1992    Jilling Mission

1992    Loyola Coaching Centre, Jamshedpur

1993    Gande Dungri Mission

1997    Loyola School, Chaira

1998    St. Paul Miki, Bordor

1998    Queen of Peace (St. Xavier’s) Basahatu

1998    Infant Jesus, Sonari

1999    De Nobili Bhavan, Dhanbad

2000    St Mary’s (Our Lady of Velankanni), Chandankiyari

2002    Loyola School, Rerua

2003    Xavier Institute of Tribal Education, Gamharia

2009    De Nobili School, Bhuli

Jesuit Involvement in Orissa

1866    Jesuit Balasore Mission from Calcutta

1879    Jesuit Khrisnachandrapur Mission

(often in later years one priest looked after both of these)

1934    Parish Priest of Chaibasa given charge of mines area in Keonjhar.

1979    Fr. Robert Sequeira in  Bhubaneswar.

1981    Fr. Tony Roberts in Orissa for Pastoral care.

1984    Minor Seminary, Padanpur (Diocesan)

1984    Human Life Center, Bhubaneswar (Started by Fr William Petrie SS)

1985    Loyola Bhavan, Bhubaneswar

1987    XIM-Bhubaneswar

1993    Tumudibandha

1995    St. Xavier’s, Rutungia

1995    Human Life Center, Balasore

1996    St. Joseph’s School, Kendrapara

2000    Loyola Vidyalaya, Pajikeri

2000    Loyola School, Rugudisai

2001    Loyola Hospital, Bhubaneswar

2001    Loyola School, Bhubaneswar

2002    Loyola School, Sankhabhanga, Baripada

2003    Sahavikas, Phulbani

2009    Jesuit Involvement in Aligonda Parish, Berampur Diocese. (Fr Jerome Kerketta  SJ)

2010    Jesuit involvement in Rayagarah Seminary (Fr Alex Misquith SJ)

2010    St Xavier’s Parish, Tangarain