Our Story

Early days in Hazaribag

In 1951, six young Australian Jesuits said goodbye to family and friends and set said into the great unknown. Compelled by their Ignatian spirit they travelled to the margins to find those most in need – travelling to India.

The young Jesuit missionaries set off for Hazaribag, a province in the northeast region of India, when Belgian Jesuits had earlier started a provincial parish. While they came with grand aims, The Australian Jesuits started with modest means. Their first school educated a handful of children from Kolkata and the children of mine workers in Bihar state.

They then began their long-term commitment to work with the most disadvantaged individuals – Dalit and Indigenous people, in particular women and children. Over time, inspired by the idea of magis and supported by donations from family and friends at home, the Australian Jesuits set about serving the local community by addressing basic needs and building communities – from providing legal aid, advocacy for workers’ rights and sharing Mass in many remote villages.

Since these early beginnings the Australian Jesuits have continued to serve and empower the communities in Hazaribag. Over the years, more than 25,000 students have been educated in schools run by the Jesuits, and 12 parishes have assisted 694 villages across the province with social services. The Jesuit mission to Hazaribag established a true core of service, compassion and empowerment within their community development work. This remains a core element of our identity and continues to inform the work that we support today.

Reaching more people

By the early 2000’s, Australian Jesuits found their mission of service to the poor expanding to accompany communities in other countries outside of India. Responding to the poverty and injustices resulting from conflict, Australian Jesuits travelled to Cambodia, East Timor (Timor-Leste), Burma (Myanmar) and Pakistan.

Through the continued support of Jesuit Mission family and friends, the Australian Jesuit missionaries in these countries served the communities in whatever way they needed – including providing health care, education and training, food production, support for landmine victims and other projects that promote the God-given dignity of all.

Our work today

Today, Jesuit Mission works in over ten countries in Asia and Africa, serving marginalised and disenfranchised people, often going where others will not go.

The projects we support around the world are diverse, focusing on empowering women, men and children living on the frontiers to liberate themselves from poverty and injustice through participation in programs that build skills, capacity and resilience to live full and free lives.

Jesuit Mission continues to support the work of Australian Jesuit missionaries, as well as other Jesuit and companions working overseas serving poor and marginalised communities.

It is only through the generosity and prayers of Jesuit Mission supporters that we have been able to serve and empower our most vulnerable sisters and brothers for the past fifty years. Thank you for joining with us in our journey of faith, service and the promotion of justice.