Santal ministry is one of the ministries belonging to De Nobili College, Pune.

1. Presents
DNC Ministries
Santal Ministry

2. SANTHAL APOSTOLATE
Objective: To bring the Santhals of Pune and its
neighbourhood together, to keep up the Santhal
culture and its traditions, to bring awareness and to
help them in legal matters in case of any need.

3. These Santhals are the migrants from Jharkhand, Odisha, West
Bengal and Assam.
They migrated to Pune in search of employment. Some of them
do hold government jobs where as others are daily labourers.

4. Santhal apostolate was started in the year 2006. by Sch. Ruben
Murmu SJ (DUM).
In the beginning he went around attired in typical Santhal
traditional dress called “Panchi” to attract Santhals.
Fr. Oscar SJ, the then Rector of De Nobili College (DNC),
supported the endeavour and introduced as the new apostolate
of the community.

5. However due to the inconsistent presence of Santhals in and
around Pune and the lack of Santhali speaking brothers in DNC,
this apostolate seemed to have died out for some time.

6. The Santhal Apostolate witnessed its resurrection in December
2008 when Fr. Jesu Raj, the Minister of DNC, initiated a
“Christmas Get Together” for Santhals all over Pune which
received a good response.
This was an indication of a good omen for the Santhal apostolate
in the future.

7.  Fr. Jesu encouraged and supported the scholastics, of Central
Zones, to revive and to give a new lease of life to the Santhal
apostolate.
 He had to invest a lot of his time and energy in this endeavor in
the beginning.
 He has been the animator of the Santhal apostolate since then.

8. OUR WORK
Scholastics from DNC and Santhal brothers from
Papal Seminary, visit Santhal people on weekends.
We talk to them and listen to them; we share their
joys and sorrows.
We conduct family prayers and Holy Masses in their
houses occasionally.
We arrange Santhali Mass at DNC on every third
Sunday of the month.
A large number of Santhals (Christians and non-
Christians) from Pune, Mumbai and from
surrounding areas participate in this mega event.

9. FESTIVAL
To keep up the tradition, we organize one of the greatest Santhal
cultural events “Baha Porob” once in a year.

10. The Santhal apostolate has always received a positive remark.
People have been very appreciative and happy about the
commitment of its members.

11. This apostolate is flourishing under the tender guidance of
Fr. Jesu.
The Rector of DNC, Fr. Keith Abranches SJ, personally
encourages and supports all scholastics to be active in
this apostolate.

12. It’ s a De Nobili College Presentation