HISTORY OF DUMKA-RAIGANJ PROVINCE

The first batch of three Jesuits sent by the Sicilian Province to labour in the Santal Mission consisted of Fr Anthony Debono SJ, and Scholastics Joseph Cordaro SJ and Bernard Bugeja SJ. Fr Debono set up the first mission among Santals at Majlispur, while the Scholastics proceeded to their ecclesiastical studies. The second batch of Fr Benjamin Cauchi SJ, and Scholastics John Mallia Milanes and Joseph Portelli and Br Rosario Milito SJ reached the shores of India in 1926. Fr Benjamin Cauchi, having picked up the Santali language at Majlispur, was assigned in 1930 by Archbishop Ferdidand Perier SJ and the Bengal Mission Superior Fr Veys SJ to pioneer work in Santal Parganas District. As the years went by Jesuit scholastics, after ordination, joined the band of pastoral workers in the Santal Mission.