Milestones of Chennai Province

1702

1702

Work of carnatic mission began in Uthiramerur(Kancheepuram )area.

1975

1975

On the invitation of Archbishop of Chennai(Msgr Casimir Gnanadickam) a cluster of parishes(Ongur,Pappanallur,Palliagaram,and Malligapuram) with predominantly Dalit Catholics was taken up and founding of school(1992) at kuppayanallur was accomplished (for the education of the children from these parishes).

1980

1980

The mission vision became clear as” Marching with the Marginalized”.

1989

1989

Chennai Mission commission was formed:

Formation of Dalit Commision was realized to ensure effective option in mission.

Mission Animators, Frs.Yesumariyan,George Joseph,and Jeyaraj Boniface took the Chennai mission through various aspects of growth.

1990

1990

Option for the poor was realized as preferential option for the dalits.” At this juncture Chennai mission was created. Official inauguration of chengai mission took place with a remedial school,a middle school,and adminstrartive office at kuppayanallur.

1993

1993

Postulate to Fr.General was sent requesting the bifurcation of the province but the reply was negative.

1995

1995

Feasibility Committee headed by Fr.John made the recommendation regarding bifurcation

1998

1998

Task forced led by Fr.Raj recommended bifurcation with more autonomy to this Mission.

1999

1999

The ARP Committee with Fr.Francis Jayapathy as coordinator,presented their recommendation in the positive.

2002

2002

Realizing that the area of ministry should cover more areas, Chengai Mission was renamed as Chennai Mission

2007

2007

  • Creation of Chennai Mission took place with First Mission Superior (Fr. Victor) and his Consult followed by Founding of Institutions and centres of ministries.
  • The First Chennai Mission Assembly put forth the mission strategy: Educate – Employ – Empower
  • Jesuit Chennai Mission was establish at Loyola College Campus,Chennai with the same registered Society “The Chengai Jesuit Society”

2009

2009

  • The Second Chennai Mission Assembly was convinced that ‘marching with the marginalized’ Is the war cry for the liberation of the marginalized.

2013

2013

The Second Mission Superior (Fr. Jebamalai Raja) was appointed.

2014

2014

  • The Third Chennai Mission Assembly was held with the theme of “Belonging and Building”.

    The ‘Roles and Responsibilities of Chennai Mission Superior’ was approved by Fr General.
  • Social centre ‘PARAN’ was initiated for the Oorali Tribals at Makkampalayam
  • JESIM, Jesuit Irular Ministry was started in and around Thindivanam
  • JMS, Jesuit Migrants Service (Internal) started at Chennai
  • JMS, Jesuit Migrants Service (External) started at Chennai and shifted to Kasthambadi in June 2018
  • Apostolic Home at Kuppayanallur
  • LISoR – Loyola Institute of Social Research was initiated at Vettavalam

2015

2015

  • Postulate recommending the creation of Chennai Region/Province was unanimously approved and was sent to Fr General by the Province Congregation.
  • Loyola College of Arts and Sciences at Mettala

2016

2016

  • The Chennai Mission Silver Jubilee was celebrated with Lay leaders, Religious, Scholastics and Jesuits of the Province separately.
  • Centre of Technical Skill Training, Allalapatti, Harur
  • Parish, Porulur (Coimbatore Diocese)

2017

2017

Tech Loyola – Organic Farming at Vettavalam

2018

2018

  • Pre-Novitiate and JMS (External) at Kasthambadi
  • Jesuit Chennai Mission Discernment Process initiated and requested Fr General to form Chennai Region.

2019

2019

  • St Mary’s HSS and St Anne’s Primary School, Harur
  • Parish, Harur (Dharmapuri Diocese)
  • Parish, Kuppayanallur (Chengelpet Diocese) was given to Jesuits, bifurcated from Ongur Ministry for Fishing Community, Paramankeni
  • Fr. General officially announced the establishment of the Jesuit Chennai Province and the appointment of Fr. Jebamalai Irudayaraj SJ as its first Provincial

Jesuit Chennai Mission was upgraded to Jesuit Chennai Province at Loyola College Campus, Chennai with the same registered Society “The Chengai Jesuit Society”