As Jesuit Mission Australia celebrates 75 years of faith in action, we honour the generosity and faithfulness of Australian supporters who have walked alongside the mission for generations.

“There’s something unique about the relationship that Jesuit Mission has with our supporters and family of friends. There’s trust and there’s an intense interest in the work,” said Helen Forde, CEO of Jesuit Mission Australia. “It’s not a relationship that’s just about a financial gift. It’s a movement of the heart.”

The foundations of Jesuit Mission Australia were laid on 6 February in 1951, when the first Australian Jesuit missionaries travelled to Hazaribag in India’s Jharkhand state to serve Indigenous communities. Answering their vocation, these men began a legacy of accompaniment that expanded beyond India in the 1990s and continues today.

“It’s humbling to reflect on how one act of courage and faith 75 years ago has grown into a global mission of hope,” Ms Forde said.

The milestone was recently marked at a 75th anniversary celebration in Hazaribag, attended by hundreds of local community members, including Australian Jesuits and Hazaribag missionaries of over 50 years, Fr Tony Herbert SJ and Fr Bob Slattery SJ.

“I’m very, very grateful, and for all my ups and downs as a Jesuit of Hazaribag, so many sisters and lay people have supported me. And therefore I’ve had a very happy life in the Jesuits and I’ve been very, very blessed,” said Fr Bob at the celebration.

Reflecting on the legacy of the Australian Jesuits, Fr Vincent Hansdak SJ, Provincial of the Hazaribag Jesuits, shared, “The Australian Jesuits with their profound spiritual yearning, simplicity and hard work, and their dedicated service, have won trust in the hearts of millions and inspired countless individuals to seek God’s will and to serve others with compassion and enthusiasm.”

Today, in Hazaribag alone, more than 25,000 students are educated each year in Jesuit schools built and funded in partnership with generous and compassionate Australians. What began as a single mission has since become its own flourishing Province, with 12 parishes, supporting nearly 700 villages with healthcare, livelihood programs, emergency assistance and education.

Today, Jesuit Mission Australia works in over 10 countries across Asia. As we mark our 75th anniversary, we honour the faithfulness of supporters who have given life to this mission and helped grow and preserve the fruits of justice, compassion and hope.

Find out more about our 75th year celebrations