Itanagar, 21 August 2024: Sixteen Communio volunteers from across India have successfully completed a missionary exposure programme in rural Arunachal Pradesh of Itanagar diocese. After their training in Goa, these young missionaries embarked on a mission exposure from August 11 to 21, 2024, in the Diocese of Itanagar.
During their stay, the volunteers lived with local villagers across four parishes, sharing their faith experiences and learning about the spiritual lives of the faithful in various mission stations. This exchange served as an opportunity for a cultural bridge, fostering mutual understanding and solidarity between the volunteers and the local communities.
The volunteers were accompanied by Fr. Chetan Machado, National Youth Director of ICYM and the Executive Secretary of the CCBI National Youth Commission, Fr. Dominic Pinto, Assistant National Youth Director, Fr. Vignan Das, Associate Director of Communio and members of the National Executive Council.
Reflecting on the experience, Miss Jessica Sunom Lepcha, a volunteer from Sikkim, expressed how the programme transformed her perspective: “Faith can be turned from creation to creator,” she said, emphasizing that evangelization can lead people to a deeper encounter with God.
Mr. Suman, a volunteer from Odisha, noted, “The faithful could experience God’s presence through our prayers and faith-sharing,” highlighting the spiritual impact of their mission.
Mr. Julyesh Barwa from Chhattisgarh shared the challenges they faced, stating, “Hardships, difficult situations, language, and other barriers made us understand how much difficulty our missionaries endure to spread the word of God in the country.”
These insights, gained through firsthand experience, have equipped the volunteers to inspire more young people to participate in missionary work within their respective dioceses.
The volunteers also visited the tomb of Brother Prem Bhai, revered as the Apostle of Arunachal Pradesh, and interacted with leaders of the Arunachal Pradesh Catholic Association and pioneering missionaries of the Diocese and various religious congregations, who shared their mission stories.
In addition, the Communio volunteers visited various Catholic institutions, engaging with locals and exchanging views on matters of faith. At the conclusion of the programme, the volunteers met Bishop Benny Varghese of the Diocese of Itanagar.
This exposure programme prepared them to serve as witnesses of the Gospel in their communities, fostering a spirit of evangelization and cultural understanding of India.
