"Since you belong to God,
You have to give Yourself back to God"

Welcome

CMI Chavara Province Bhavnagar,Gujarat

In the land of sun-scorched plains and vibrant cultural heritage, the regions of Saurashtra and Kutch in Gujarat became a new frontier of CMI missionary commitment in 1973. Responding to the growing pastoral needs of the area, the then Prior General, Fr. Theobald Pothanikat CMI, sent a pioneering team of six priests to the mission land of Gujarat. Among them were Frs. Joseph Vempala and Modest Purathayil, both from St. Joseph Province, Kottayam. In 1974, they were joined by Fr. Mathew Kalathoor, a veteran missionary known for his dedication to the people of the region.

On July 16, 1974, the feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, the CMI congregation officially assumed pastoral responsibility for the civil districts of Jamnagar, Kutch, Junagadh, and Surendranagar from the Society of Jesus. The handover took place in a simple but significant ceremony at St. Xavier’s School, Jamnagar, attended by Fr. Joe Aizpun S.J. (Jesuit Provincial), Fr. J. Arana S.J. (Administrator of Ahmedabad Diocese), Fr. Antony Narithookil CMI (Vicar General), and Fr. Liguori Mundackal CMI (General Mission Secretary). At that time, twelve priests were serving in the region. Among them, five—Frs. Melanius Arayathinal, Reynolds Chempakassery, Joseph Vempala, Modest Purathayil, and Mathew Kalathoor—belonged to St. Joseph Province, Kottayam, marking the beginning of a long and fruitful association with the mission in Gujarat.