Santhals are the single largest tribe in India numbering above 7 million and forming 13% of the total tribal population. This homogeneous tribal group shows signs of remarkable receptivity to accept Christ and his message, because of the similarity existing between their religious, cultural and social traditions to that of the Old Testament. The Santhals also consider Christianity as a liberating force from their religious practice of witchcraft and from their fear of spirits. Though they are spread over different States in North India , they speak one common language, Santhali. This facilitates interaction and the communication of the Christian faith to them.

Specific Objectives For the Santhal Mission

To deepen the faith of the Christian Santhals and to work for the liberative and holistic transformation of all Santhals in the light of the Gospel.

Foundation: 1995

Claret Seva Sadan is situated in West Dinajpur district which is highly populated with Santhal people. Most of them are agricultural laborers, economically poor but rich in cultural tradition. Festivals like Nawa Porob (Christ the king feast), Soharae Porob (X'mas day) and Baha Porob (Easter Day) are celebrated by incorporating elements from Santal Culture and Tradition.

Foundation: 1999

The Burduwan district of West Bengal has a rich and fertile soil watered regularly by the river Ganges . The Santhals of this area are mostly migrated people from other districts and states due to that they do not own sufficient land. In view of establishing a mission in this area Claretian missionaries served in Syalmara from 1999 till Marsal Sadan (house of light) was founded in the year 2001 at Sahanagar in the diocese of Asansol. This mission comprises of the civil blocks of Memari I, Memari II and Monteswar with 160 villages of which the catholic population is scattered in 65 villages. These villages have the population of about 5 lakhs and 40% of them are Santhals. In some of the places like Bandarbatti, Barwa, Kospukur, Moshispur, Sahanui, Sahanagar, people are gathered for liturgical celebrations. The Claretians have

opened up this center for religious revival and social upliftment of the Santhals.

Foundation: 1999

This is the first Mission foundation in the state of Jharkhand. The focus here is rural education, which will bring about social development in this area and Parish Ministry.

At present the main activity of the priests here is faith formation of the faithful. To achieve this objective, BCCs Units (Basic Christian Communities), Liturgical committee, Saint Vincent de Paul Association, Crux Veer and other Associations like Youth Association, Mahila Sangh (Women Organization) and Altar Boy's Association are formed. The parish council has been established and it is functioning in an effective way.

Every year we conduct various competitions like Bible Quiz, Cultural programmes and Tribal Cultural Dance Competitions etc .

To promote the education among the Adivasi tribals and Santhals a Tuition centre has been established in one of the substations by which 35 to 40 children are benefiting.

Mission Profile :

Situated in the hilly terrain of Midnapore district of West Bengal and in the heart land of Santhal culture, Claret Ashram offers a ray of hope for the social and economic development of the Santhals. The Aim of starting the mission here was to establish a hostel for boys in order to promote education for those who are from remote villages. The mission was begun in the year 1994 in Silda a small town. Later it was shifted to Sahari which is 3 km away from Silda towards Bhelpahari.

Mission Profile

4th July 2004 was a memorable day for the Claretians of Chennai Province especially for the Claretian community at Lalpur, Ranchi when St. James Parish, Lalpur was entrusted to the pastoral care of the Claretians.

The Diocese of Dumka has entrusted the Parish of Taldangal to the care of the Claretians. Claretians took over the Parish of Mary Mother of God Church, Taldangal from July 20th, 2008.