On Tuesday 14 February 2023, the High Commissioner
of Malta to India, H.E. Reuben Gauci visited the
Indian village of Majlispur and inaugurated a commemorative statue of the Maltese Jesuit,
Fr Anthony Debono SJ , who
founded the mission amongst the Santal Tribe in 1925 in this
village in West Bengal, North East India.
Fr Anthony Debono SJ was a visionary son of Malta, was born at
Victoria, Gozo (Malta). Having completed his seminary studies in Gozo, he
joined the Jesuits in Palermo on 15 September 1904. He was ordained priest on
25 July 1920 and pronounced his final vows in 1924.
On
arriving in India he learned the tribal Santali language. In the process, he also
learnt about the customs and life of the Santal Tribe. He later moved to
Majlispur and settled there on 9 March, 1925 for his pioneering work.
The Statue of Fr Anthony
Debono SJ was produced by the Society of Jesus (Jesuits) of India. During
the inauguration, this Statue was blessed by the Bishop Emeritus of the Diocese of Purnea,
H.E. Angelus Kujur SJ.
Maltese Missionaries who have worked in the Santal
Mission for decades: Fr Paul Aquilina SJ,
Fr Joseph Gauci Sacco SJ and Ms Marcette Buttigieg were present for the
occasion.
