The India Region Assembly 2026 of the Mill Hill Missionaries was held from 12th to 16th January 2026 at Montfort Sadan, Pune. Members from various missions and formation centres gathered for five days of prayer, reflection, evaluation, and planning for the future of the Region.
The Assembly started on Monday, 12th January, with the arrival of members in the afternoon, followed by the opening agenda meeting. The evening concluded with spending time together at socials, creating a spirit of friendship and teamwork.
Tuesday, 13th January, was dedicated to formation and renewal. The day began with a recollection preached by Fr. Prof. Naveen Rebello, SVD, who offered a thoughtful and creative reflection on the meaning of being a missionary. Drawing on the many identities that shape missionary life, he invited the members to return to the spirit and roots of their original calling and to allow themselves to be renewed as instruments in the hands of God. This was followed by the celebration of the Eucharist. In the afternoon, the members participated in a key input session on “Sustainable Evangelization: A Project of Love, Service and Empowerment,” which focused on the development of mission projects and the practical requirements for ensuring their long-term sustainability. The session challenged the members to design initiatives that are pastorally effective, financially responsible, and capable of empowering local communities beyond short-term intervention.
Due to logistical reasons, the programme of Wednesday, 14th January, and Thursday, 15th January, was interchanged. The 14th was devoted to the common outing, offering members space for rest, informal interaction, and the strengthening of fraternal bonds.
On Thursday, 15th January, the Assembly resumed its core work. The day opened with morning prayer followed by the session on the Safeguarding Policy and the overall moderation of the Assembly proceedings led by Prof. Ramesh Dondapati, whose wide experience in mission and in working with both religious and civil authorities brought clarity, balance, and direction to the discussions. Drawing on years of practical expertise, he guided the process with insight and provided the members with effective tools for responsible decision-making and leadership. Assembly meetings continued throughout the day, leading to the formal conclusion of the agenda in the late afternoon. The members then gathered for the celebration of the Eucharist in the evening, after which all went out together for supper, marking the close of the Assembly programme in a spirit of gratitude and communion. The Assembly concluded on Friday, 16th January, with the celebration of the Eucharist and departure.
Key Themes and Focus of the Assembly
Throughout the Assembly, the members engaged deeply with the present realities and future direction of the India Region. Time was given for personal sharing, allowing each member to reflect on his own journey of missionary life and to listen to the experiences of others, fostering mutual understanding and renewed commitment.
The Assembly reviewed the progress and challenges of the Region through updates from the Finance Office, Development Desk and various Committees. These sessions strengthened coordination, accountability, and responsible stewardship of resources.
Reflections were further enriched by insights from the Global Formators Meeting 2025 in Nairobi, which provided a broader perspective on formation and missionary priorities.
Looking ahead, the members engaged in an initial discussion on the vision for the next five years. While the long-term direction was acknowledged, many felt that focusing on clear and achievable short-term goals would allow for more effective follow-up, implementation, and visible results. Due to limited time, the pre-convocation reflections for the General Chapter 2027 were entrusted to the respective communities and regional groupings, with members requested to hold their discussions locally and submit their reflections to the Regional by 31st January.
The Local Leadership strongly reaffirmed the importance of the recommendations of the General Chapter 2022, particularly concerning team ministry, mutual support, process meetings, and team facilitation. Members and teams were encouraged to ensure that these practices are actively followed, not only for the effectiveness of the mission but also for strengthening relationships, collaboration, and healthy working among the members themselves.
The Assembly 2026 strengthened unity among the members of the India Region and renewed their commitment to the missionary vision of the Society. Through prayer, dialogue, and shared discernment, the members recommitted themselves to serve with greater clarity, responsibility, and hope in the years ahead.
Tomvenki Yellavula, MHM
Regional Representative – India Region
